IMHO, I don't believe having exam is the only way to focus. And I know lots of kids, exams just means stress to them rather than focus.

Every kids is special in their own way of learning. As adult, parents especially, it is important to identify what their kids interest is, or for some who isn't sure, perhaps parents can give them a few options of things to learn and see what they really enjoyed doing the most.

I also think it's a good idea to have a heart to heart chat with the kid (if possible) to understand what the kids have in their mind. Although I had met parents that kinda force the kids to like something, somtimes it works, sometimes it back fired. And especially kids now a days, they are born in a different 'era' if i may put it, and they have information easily accessible to them. Believe it or not, some kids know much more than adult do. It's a two way learning for both adult and kids.

When the kids found their interest, it's kinda a natural process they will focus on what they are good or enjoyed. Of cos, these are all case to case basis, but I do believe exposing them to something different and more enriching courses would be able to provide more for the kid's future, especially on soft skills, arts, EQ.