Exams - Beginning of the End

May 28 was the last day of classes. On May 29 final exams began. Traditionally English is first because I have to have my exams marked the day before grad so the school can determine if everyone will graduate. My class is one that everyone must pass to walk. The theory behind English being first is that English exams usually have essays which take longer to mark.


The choir room was transformed into a large group testing area. 2/3 of my English 12 students ended up here. My AP class didn't have a final exam because they did a year long project that I counted for the exam. They were the only students in the whole school who got to sleep in on Friday! The exams slots are two hours long with a rule that everyone must stay in the testing room for one hour minimum. This rule was created to try and avoid students just slapping down answers so they can leave within 20 minutes. Because they know they have to stay an hour, they tend to spend more time doing the questions. The first exam of the day (English) was from 9-11. Then there was a 1 hour lunch break during which the dorms came to pick up students who were done for the day. The 2nd exam (foreign language) ran from 12-2.

Last minute review.

Kimberly and Andi are confident and pleasant as they wait for the exam. The weekend will be busy for me as I grade the exams and figure the seniors' final grades.