Why Marks Don’t Matter Anymore — And What to Focus on Instead

Meenal Ghai

Writer

For decades, marks have been treated like magic numbers.
They determine college admissions, job interviews, and sometimes even self-worth.

But times have changed.

Today, success is no longer defined by high grades alone.
It’s fixed by skills, mindset, and how a child learns to think.

At Tapas Education, we believe in developing students not just for exams, but for life.

Let’s address five common grievances parents have about moving away from marks and discover what really matters now.

“But good marks equate to a good future, right?”

Understandably, many parents believe high marks open doors to top colleges and careers.
That was once true back in their day.

But now, employers and universities appraise much more than numbers.

Reality Check:

Do Google, Apple, and Tesla for your grades?
Ivy League colleges consider essays, creativity, and portfolios now.
India’s NEP 2020 shifts focus to skills, not scores.

What Matters More:

Critical thinking
Collaboration
Communication
Emotional intelligence

Marks are temporary. Skills are permanent.

What to Focus on Instead:

Encourage your child to ask fearless questions.
Aid them in building real-world projects.
Guide them to reflect on what they learn and not just what they score.

This is where student growth beyond grades begins.

“My child needs pressure to perform.”

It’s a common myth: pressure means it will definitely create success.
Wrong! In reality, pressure often builds anxiety.

At Tapas, we’ve seen what pressure does:

Children are scared of making mistakes.
They stop taking creative risks.
They run after perfection, not progress.

“Grades are just labels. They don’t show effort, creativity, or resilience.” – Sir Ken Robinson

What Happens Under Pressure:

Children mug notes instead of understanding
Learning becomes an uphill task, not a joy
Self-worth gets equated to marks

What to Do Instead:

Create a serene, safe space for curiosity.
Celebrate effort, not just the achievements.
Let them learn at their own pace.

Real learning blooms in freedom, fear creates unrest and that happens in controlled environments.

“How will we measure learning without exams?”

This is a fair question.
Tests have been around forever.
But are they the only way to know if a child is learning?

The Truth About Tests:

Exams test memory, not understanding.
Every child thinks differently, as does every adult.
Some need time, some need movement, some need stories.

At Tapas Education, we use progressive education methods like:

Project-based assessments
Reflection journals
Peer reviews
Presentations and exhibitions

These tools show us the whole child, not just the number on a paper.

What to Measure Instead:

The child’s confidence
Clear concept understanding
Learning to learn

This is what real education looks like.

“Is this system too easy?”

Alternative education is often misconceived.
Some think it’s all fun and no discipline.
That’s far from the truth.

Progressive Learning is Deep Learning

We don’t hand out answers.
We ask powerful questions.

Students work on projects that demand focus,organisational skills, and persistence.

Real-Life Example:

At Tapas, students designed a sustainable kitchen garden. They studied soil science, math (area, measurement), and wrote journals. Of course, they faced failures, but they learned from them, and grew actual vegetables.

No rote learning, just real learning.

What to Focus On:

Let kids fail safely.
Let them explore without limits.
Let them lead their learning.

That’s what child-led learning is all about.

“This is great, but is it available in Bangalore?”

Unquestionably.
Tapas Education , located in South Bangalore, offers everything we’ve discussed—and more.

We are not a traditional school.
We are a progressive, alternative learning space that’s rooted in Indian values but has a global vision.

Who We’re For:

Parents who believe learning is more than marks
NRIs returning home and looking for a mix of modern education with Indian roots
Families who want their children to grow with joy, not fear

What Makes Tapas Stand Out:

Project-Based Learning (PBL) across all grades
No fixed textbooks or rigid curriculum
Prioritise on curiosity, independence, and critical thinking
Teachers as facilitators, not lecturers
Learning occurs through doing, questioning, building, and reflecting

We don’t prepare kids for exams.
We prepare them for life.

What Victory Looks Like at Tapas

Success at Tapas isn’t only a rank or a report card.
It’s when a child confidently says,
“I don’t know yet….but I want to figure it out myself.”

It’s when they:

Build a model wind turbine employing cardboard
Debate eco-sensitive climate policy in class
Pen a book of poems about their neighborhood
Boost a friend in their task without being asked

These moments build strong minds and even stronger hearts.

The Real Gamechanger at Tapas

At Tapas, we are not dissing marks and grades, we are approaching assessments in a holistic manner where marks and grades are given as much weightage as skills and competencies.
The philosophy of assessments at Tapas is - 'Assess to educate, do not educate to assess' So assessments are a way of knowing where we are and where we need to go next, a way of informing practice. Assessments are not the end goal.
While there is no emphasis on marks, we are conducting assessments and marking the learners continually, and all that adds up to how we plan our lessons. The cumulative record of such assessments will help in creating the Learning Ledger which is a record of the learning in that year. The Learning Ledger comprises self-assessment, peer-assessment, facilitator assessments and benchmarking exams (only this has marks).

A Quick Comparison

Traditional Schooling	The Tapas Approach
Evaluations based on Marks	Project-Based Holistic Assessments
Instructions By Teachers	Children-Led Learning
Exams in Standard Format	Tracking Growth & Feedback
Rote-Memorization	Critical Thinking & Application
Inflexible Curriculum	Flexible Interest-driven learning
High Ranks mean Success	Confidence & Curiosity Brings Success

Final Thoughts: Time to Rethink Marks

Marks aren’t bad but they’re not everything.
They are one small piece of a much larger jigsaw puzzle.

As parents, educators, and a society, we need to change our question from:

“What did you score?”
to
“What did you learn?”

Because in today’s world,
how your child thinks matters more than what they scored.

Ready to Traverse Alternative Schooling in Bangalore?

If you’re a parent in South Bangalore or an NRI looking for a modern, meaningful learning environment, come visit us.

Tapas Education is here to help your child grow—beyond marks, beyond limits.

Why don’t marks matter as much anymore?
Marks only measure memorization, not creativity, skills, or confidence. Today, student growth beyond grades is seen as more important for long-term success.
What is child-led learning, and why is it better?
Child-led learning encourages kids to follow their interests and learn naturally. This builds stronger motivation and lifelong skills beyond just grades.
How does alternative schooling in Bangalore support students?
Alternative schooling in Bangalore uses flexible, progressive education methods to help children grow through real experiences instead of marks alone.
What are progressive education methods?
They include project-based learning, hands-on activities, and collaboration, which develop practical and emotional skills that grades cannot measure.
What should parents focus on instead of marks?
Parents should look at their child’s confidence, curiosity, critical thinking, and overall well-being — the true foundations for future success.

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