Emma Sassouni
Writer '20
Writer '20
Midterms week has just passed. It is the week all high schoolers dread the most. Tests count twice, extra help sessions are packed, students are loaded with stress, and brains are on the brink of exploding. This week brings certain questions to consideration each year. Is it necessary for all classes to administer a midterm? Is it fair that other departments who do not give a midterm continue to test students leading up to this crucial week? Most Great Neck North High School students say “no” to both questions. There is no need for more pressure on students to work even harder and tire themselves out just in time for important midterms.
As midterm week approaches, it is unfair and unnecessary for classes to be testing. Students reject teachers’ decisions to present tests and quizzes leading to midterms week. Interviewed students agree that teachers who are not giving midterms should not quiz or test their students. Freshman Kelly Chau, agrees with Sophomore Amanda Shirazi, who says, “Teachers should help reviewing rather than teaching new stuff the Friday before midterms.” Teachers should leave time to review with their classes so that all students are eligible to get the best score on all midterms. With that said, new topics should not be taught. Students are too focused on other classes and reviewing older topics, that is does not seem appropriate to learn new material. Other classes testing is completely unnecessary, and a waste of time for the teachers administering the test.
On the other hand, exams in classes with a midterm can help students. By taking a test with old material, students have the chance to review the material needed to study based on wrong answers on previous tests. An anonymous ninth grader responded to the decision of testing leading to midterms. She says, “As much as midterms ‘suck,’ they are helpful because they give you a chance to review all the material you learned from the beginning of the year.” Still, these review assessments can hurt a student’s average if the grade is not good. To fix this problem, teachers should quiz students instead so that they do not count as much. If anything, quizzes should be administered.
Going along with midterms in each class, not all classes need to administer a midterm. To Chau, only the most important classes, such as core classes, should administer midterms. This testing week is stressful enough, so there is no need for more pressure on students. Electives and other optional classes should not administer midterms, as they are not ranked highly in importance. Junior Adiel Peikarian believes that, “Even though it is tough when midterms come around… it is necessary for classes to have midterms, especially if there will be a regents at the end of the year.” Only important classes, that also are not cumulative already, need to test students.
Students across Great Neck North High School agree that any test leading up to midterm week is unfair, and that not all classes need to have a midterm. Stress is the main reason for this position on testing. High school students already deal with too much stress all the time; it should be alleviated.
As midterm week approaches, it is unfair and unnecessary for classes to be testing. Students reject teachers’ decisions to present tests and quizzes leading to midterms week. Interviewed students agree that teachers who are not giving midterms should not quiz or test their students. Freshman Kelly Chau, agrees with Sophomore Amanda Shirazi, who says, “Teachers should help reviewing rather than teaching new stuff the Friday before midterms.” Teachers should leave time to review with their classes so that all students are eligible to get the best score on all midterms. With that said, new topics should not be taught. Students are too focused on other classes and reviewing older topics, that is does not seem appropriate to learn new material. Other classes testing is completely unnecessary, and a waste of time for the teachers administering the test.
On the other hand, exams in classes with a midterm can help students. By taking a test with old material, students have the chance to review the material needed to study based on wrong answers on previous tests. An anonymous ninth grader responded to the decision of testing leading to midterms. She says, “As much as midterms ‘suck,’ they are helpful because they give you a chance to review all the material you learned from the beginning of the year.” Still, these review assessments can hurt a student’s average if the grade is not good. To fix this problem, teachers should quiz students instead so that they do not count as much. If anything, quizzes should be administered.
Going along with midterms in each class, not all classes need to administer a midterm. To Chau, only the most important classes, such as core classes, should administer midterms. This testing week is stressful enough, so there is no need for more pressure on students. Electives and other optional classes should not administer midterms, as they are not ranked highly in importance. Junior Adiel Peikarian believes that, “Even though it is tough when midterms come around… it is necessary for classes to have midterms, especially if there will be a regents at the end of the year.” Only important classes, that also are not cumulative already, need to test students.
Students across Great Neck North High School agree that any test leading up to midterm week is unfair, and that not all classes need to have a midterm. Stress is the main reason for this position on testing. High school students already deal with too much stress all the time; it should be alleviated.