In Jay Parini's "The Art of Teaching," the author critiques test-oriented teaching methods, describing them as detrimental to true education. He views this approach as a game that distracts from the fundamental goal of education, which is to help students realize their potential and engage deeply with important subjects. Instead of fostering genuine learning, tests create limitations that hinder curiosity and exploration.

Parini emphasizes the need for an educational approach that prioritizes the interest and intrinsic demands of the material over standardized testing. By focusing on a more holistic and meaningful engagement with learning, education can inspire students to pursue knowledge freely and fully, aligning with their individual capabilities and interests.