As the end of the year at Ludlow High School approaches, final exams are on students’ minds. Many students, teachers, and parents question whether or not students should even be required to take these exams. Some believe that finals are important because they test to see how much students have retained throughout the school year. On the other hand, many argue that these exams cause too much stress and pressure for students and do not accurately reflect their true abilities or knowledge.

Overall, finals affect students in both positive and negative ways, and it is hard to answer the question that many of us ask about these exams. 

In order to develop an opinion on whether students at LHS should have to take finals, it is important to understand what finals are first. 

Final exams are comprehensive tests given at the end of the school year to evaluate students’ understanding and ability to remember what they were taught throughout the school year at LHS. These exams can be given in the form of multiple choice, short answers, essays, and more. This requires students to study with their notes and previous work. Finals also test students’ problem-solving and test-taking skills. 

Final exams can be perceived as both beneficial and damaging to us students. It depends on who you ask. The big question is, which view is more accurate? 

According to some educators, final exams play a crucial role in measuring how much students have grown academically throughout the school year.

Final exams test students’ knowledge by testing them on all of the material that they learned throughout the school year in a single test. The variety of questions requires students to use different levels of thinking and understanding. These exams provide a clear picture of students’ growth and readiness for the next school year. They also help teachers identify which topics need more focus and which topics that students excel in. 

Final exams also play a significant role in preparing students for the future by reinforcing skills that are helpful in the education and professional world. Post University Blog claims, “Finals are important because they provide powerful preparation for the future.”

Final exams teach valuable skills such as time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving. During finals week, students have to evenly divide their study time between each subject, preparing them for the time management demands of college and the workplace. The pressure of finals also helps students develop stress-coping skills, which are essential for handling the many challenges of life. Finals can also help students identify their interests or struggles, helping them to decide their future academic and career choices. If a student struggles with a subject or has little interest in remembering what they have learned, then they know they should not pursue a career involving that subject. 

So, final exams are more than just an assessment tool; they are an emotional tool for students as well, and help prepare students for life beyond Ludlow High School. 

Lisa Nemeth, principal of Ludlow High School since July 2011, is a well-respected educator with years of experience. 

Nemeth states, “All colleges have finals so we try to prepare students for college experience, and even the trades have an exam so taking comprehensive exams is great practice.”

College finals are known to be more difficult than high school finals, so having 4 years of practice taking these exams can significantly help a student once they are in higher education. They also prepare students who are entering a trade, as tests are required, and it is crucial to do well on them in order to complete a course and get a job in the desired field. These complicated final exams prepare college students and students in a trade, such as electricians. 

Jonathan Mitchell, vice principal at Ludlow High School, is a staff member who is loved by many. 

Mitchell states, “I definitely think there is a benefit for students to take finals. I also think our exemption program motivates students to achieve high grades all year and not “throw in the towel” as the year winds down.”

Finals can encourage students to make sure that their grades stay high throughout the school year, encouraging academic success. At LHS, if a freshman, sophomore, or junior has a 93 or higher overall, or if a senior has a 91 or higher, they are exempt from finals. Without a doubt, most students do not want to have to take finals, so they try their best to get that outstanding grade. This encourages students to keep their grades up by doing all of their work and studying for every assessment.

While there are benefits to taking final exams, there are also ways that these exams can be damaging. According to honorsociety.org, exams cause a lot of stress for us students, therefore damaging our mental and physical health whether we realize it or not. 

The pressure to excel leads to anxiety, lack of sleep, and loads of stress. The thought of failing a final exam can result in anxiety and depression. Intense study sessions often make students feel “dead”, leading to physical and emotional distress. This can lead to headaches, fatigue, and lack of motivation. All of these effects can cause students to not perform the best they could. 

Therefore, while final exams aim to measure academic growth and prepare students, they can harm students’ health and overall well-being more than any of us realize. 

Final exams are not always accurate reflections of a student’s abilities and knowledge. These tests often require students to exceed in memorization rather than true understanding of the material. A student’s score on their final exam can also be heavily influenced by the stress they are feeling from all of the pressure put on them. A single exam at the end of the school year can not possibly show a student’s full academic level, creativity, or critical thinking skills. Additionally, the testing environment, health issues, or personal issues on the day of testing can also influence a student’s score.

Therefore, final exams are an unreliable measure of a student’s true academic potential and growth. 

Taylor Morton, class of 2024, will be attending Suffolk University in the fall. As Morton is now accepted into college and has taken many final exams, she has first-hand experience with whether or not they’re worth taking.

Morton states, “No, I do not think that final exams helped prepare me. I feel they don’t really do much other than slightly affect your grade, and honestly, they’re pointless. We did not have to take them because of COVID one year, and it was honestly fine. It didn’t affect anything.”

Morton has experience with taking final exams and also missing out on them for a year. She found no difference in her academic growth or learning when she did take them versus when she did not. This says a lot as final exams are meant to make a difference in our education, yet it did nothing for a student who is dedicated and put the work into taking the final exams. 

Alternative options

Alternatives to final exams can provide a much more accurate picture of students’ abilities and knowledge. Different options include projects, portfolios, and oral presentations. Projects let students apply what they have learned artistically, showing their creativity and problem-solving skills. Portfolios are a great way of collecting a student’s work throughout the year and demonstrating their progress and what they have learned. Oral presentations can assess students’ communication skills (which are crucial in higher education and the workplace) and knowledge of the material.

These alternatives could be a much better way to assess a student’s academic growth. 

Final thoughts

The question of whether or not students at LHS should have to take finals can not be given a definite answer.

I believe that finals are not necessary for us students. They are far too stressful and many students barely remember material from the previous months by the time finals roll around. 

However, my opinion could be different from yours. Based on what was shared, what do you think? Do you think that final exams are beneficial because they measure academic growth and prepare you for the future? Or, do you think they are damaging to us students because they cause stress, damage our health, and are not accurate reflections on our educational abilities?