AP classes at John F. Kennedy High School gear up for the upcoming challenging exam, and these tests are often designed to assess a student’s mastery of college-level material and can lead to college credit. However, those tests happen in May, so the time after the test is often filled with activity and a separate class final. AP finals for individual classes on top of the exams often seem redundant and unnecessary to students.
Some feel that finals are a valuable tool for reinforcing knowledge in an AP class, which has differed between the different AP classes offered at Kennedy.
Jayla Gillett, junior at Kennedy, is currently taking AP classes, and has encountered this situation in those classes. “ I find it a bit overwhelming having to study for a final and an AP test, and it definitely stresses students out doubly,” said Gillett.
Students who take AP courses may also have to dedicate double the time for studying, just in case one test might have different questions or material than the other one might have, and though they are a couple weeks apart, some students believe that having to do both is often unneeded and redundant.
Mazel Cenzia, senior at Kennedy, also takes a couple of AP classes currently, and has experienced it as well. “In all honesty, I think it depends. AP classes are inherently strenuous and rigorous courses as they are meant to be college-level courses. Still, I think class finals on top of AP exams can be frustrating at times,” said Cenzia.
Some students believe that any tests after the AP exam that are pressuring onto students, when they should be proud of themselves for their accomplishments in such a rigorous course.
“I see no benefit to class finals after exams as the course’s goal is to receive college credit while simultaneously learning content in preparation for higher education, and taking a final after the final course exam is merely an additional burden for students,” said Cenzia.
Although, some teachers have certainly different opinions when it comes to AP finals on top of exams. Jamie Valenzuela, AP Language teacher at Kennedy, is not giving a strong final during the times of her students taking the AP exam.
“During finals week, I don’t give finals in correlation to AP. The final is the test. The month before the test, we do our final AP-ish unit, which is a bootcamp unit, where we do the full exam in 3-4 days, with no second chances,” said Valenzuela.
Some students believe that an alternative to a final may be more beneficial. “I would say work review days where the teacher goes over what they have learned throughout the school year would be better, since it makes sure that the students are retaining the information,” said Gillett.
Students at Kennedy have ideas that they believe would benefit them more, than adding the stress of a final with strenuous exams. “I believe, alternatively, the final mock exams are more rewarding and effective for the class content and goal. Still, I believe students should have the chance to make up their grade after the exam in case they are not satisfied or for the safety net of them being anxious the final grade will weigh them down,” said Cenzia.
Teachers at Kennedy have decided on their choice if they want to give students finals or not. Although, some teachers have made an effort to make the stressful, end of the school year exam weeks a little lighter for students. “We usually do a fun, group communication project together. So it’s easy, fun, important, and relevant,” said Valenzuela.
As the end of the year rolls around quickly, students can feel stressed out because of tests and exams being piled up as the weeks go by. “I believe that students don’t go to school to pass a test, but to learn. Though AP tests are great for college and resumes; ultimately, you’re not doing life to pass a test but to grow,” said Valenzuela. “Communicating your needs to your teachers is paramount. If they don’t know your stress levels, they cannot give you that full support that you need to succeed.” said Valenzuela.
As an AP teacher at Kennedy explains, the idea of talking to teachers is quite beneficial for students who may have a class where finals and tests are piled up on top of each other. “Taking care of your mental health and just knowing that you’re going to be okay,” said Valenzuela.
Students could have access to much online preparation through My AP Classroom, Khan Academy, and many more sources to look through and study as the weeks go by. Talking to teachers and explaining what support might be need, can also be a tremendous help throughout the testing process, but otherwise, testing is a common experience throughout the hard years of high school, looking for needed support is remunerative.
