Fall term exams are back with a twist. A year removed from a trial period in which no examinations were given prior to Thanksgiving break, the school has reinstated the tests as expected. This year, however, the bulk of exams will be given to high-level classes that are directed towards an AP test. Though students hoped that no fall term exams were here to stay, last year was simply a trial run.

Exams were removed from last year’s schedule due largely in part to an increasingly hectic end of fall term. More and more exams were administered (ballooning to over 2200 total), and students were often faced with conflicting schedules. By taking out exams the administration and academic council were able to look at the root of student stress and other issues. Also, contrary to student belief the exams were not taken out to boost grades for seniors sending in college applications.

This year the schedule looks quite different. All classes that prepare students for an AP exam will have a fall term exam, with the exception of fifth form English classes. In order to introduce third and fourth formers to exams without overworking them, select classes taught to under-formers will give exams. The academic council also believes that under formers should not be sent the message of no exams. Exams are necessary to prepare for junior and senior year, in addition to college. The exceptions are sophomore English, in order to prepare for the proficiency, World Religions, and Honors Biology, with the idea that it prepares students for the AP exam in the spring term.

The new slate of exams leaves many underclassmen with a low number of exams. Most freshmen do not take AP level courses, and only a portion chooses to take World Religions in the fall. This means that many freshmen will have only one or two exams in the fall. This contrasts to the heavy schedule that many seniors experienced during their freshman year.

Students were also given access to their exam schedules earlier than in the past, and in a more accessible location. Class schedules handed out in year-opening registration packets had the fall term exam schedule written on the backside. However, with student reactions to the exam schedule it is very clear that most students have not noted the new schedule. According to Blake Gruber ’08, “Wow, the schedule looks much shorter, and the whole year schedule is on one word document!”

The fall term is not the only term that will witness a change in its exam schedule. The winter exam schedule has this year been extended. Formerly lasting from Sunday through either Tuesday or Wednesday (depending on the year), the exam period will last from Sunday through Thursday. This difference allowed for the establishment of one exam day for each department, which is being implemented in an attempt to reduce the number of scheduling conflicts for students. In addition, the reading period for the exams has also been extended from the end of Friday classes to Monday afternoon, which differs from last year’s Sunday afternoon exams.