> so much more effective than exercises on particular sections Effective at what though. Just passing the test? Do the students actually understand the mater

> so much more effective than exercises on particular sections Effective at what though. Just passing the test? Do the students actually understand the material? Can they apply it to novel (to them) situations? When I was studying physics ('74-'77) a significant number of students who all had just as good test results as I did in senior high school dropped out after the first term because they just couldn't manage the material. They had learnt enough to pass the exams (British A-levels) but had not really understood and had not practised enough. I suspect that rise of modular courses might make this situation even worse but that might be prejudice on my part.