The Harvard Grad School of Education reports on preliminary research looking at stress in particular the stress hormone cortisol, and how it correlates to test performance. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, higher levels of cortisol seem to correspond to worse test performance. The whole area thought does raise interesting questions such as do we address the causes of the stress or the person feeling it? Do we address the way we accredit people and consider dropping testing? Probably more likely, how do we come up with a more complex system that allows learning and evaluation in multiple ways that are appropriate to the person and to society?
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.