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This study explores the influence of external examination on teaching and learning of Mathematics at the secondary schools affiliated with provincial and private examination boards in Pakistan. By employing the explanatory sequential mixed-method approach, this study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, the Mathematics examination papers of last five years from both provincial and private examination boards were reviewed and analyzed to understand (1) the cognitive complexities required from the learners to solve the questions, (2) the frequency and variety in which the questions were repeated and (3) the chapters of prescribed books from which the questions are selected in the examination of last five years. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews with teachers and students were conducted, along with participatory observation to understand how the examination patterns shape their teaching and learning. The findings revealed that the external examination directly influences teachers’ teaching, and indirectly students’ learning. Both the positive and negative effects of the external examination were found on the teaching and learning strategies of teachers and students, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify the sources of learning gaps in biochemistry teaching and learning and explore new teaching and learning strategies, considering the students' perceptions and felt needs. Study Design: Exploratory qualitative study (Social-constructivist philosophical worldview). Place and Duration of Study: Public Sector Medical College, Pakistan, from Jul 2020 to Jul 2021. Methodology: Students from all five years of medical college were recruited voluntarily after their written consent. Ten focus group discussions were conducted, each consisting of approximately 8 to 12 participants. Each session was recorded and then later transcribed verbatim. Verbatim FGDs were reviewed, and codes were given as the concept became recognizable. A code structure was developed via an inductive approach, and then sub-themes and themes were generated. Results: Ten major themes were generated from the FGDs. These themes were teaching, students' motivation, clinical irrelevance, educational needs, transition difficulty, attitudes, student support, senior peers, curriculum coherence, and assessment. These themes were further elucidated to explain the causes of the learning gaps and provide suggestions. Conclusion: This study concludes that teaching, students' motivation, clinical irrelevance, educational needs, difficulty in transition, student attitude, student support, senior peers, curriculum coherence, and assessment are the potential sources of the learning gap to achieve intended learning outcomes of biochemistry for medical students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]