According to the College Board, Advanced Placement exams are designed to mirror college finals. They are intense, cumulative tests that last between 2 to 4 hours, yet our school treats it like any other day. Unlike students from neighboring districts, Stevenson along with the entire Utica School District doesn’t exempt students from their classes on AP test days. While other students are sleeping in and utilizing extra studying time for their exams, we are expected to attend classes per usual, despite the stress and anxiety that contaminates our learning environment. It is an unforgiving policy that punishes high achieving students rather than supporting them.
AP exams aren’t ordinary tests or finals. They are multi-hour assessments that require intense focus and months of preparation. Whether its AP United States History, AP Biology, Or AP Pre-Calculus, students are expected to critically analyze data and write under strict time constraints. These exams are both physically and mentally draining. The reality is that after an AP test, it is unrealistic for students to jump back into a discussion about Shakespeare or begin solving equations. Especially when they don’t have the mental capacity left to absorb any material.
The frustrating factor is that this policy isn’t standard across all schools. Nearby high schools are given the luxury of having the entire day off when they are taking their AP test. For students at schools in the Rochester School District, this is the norm for them. They get to sleep in, study, and meet up with peers to prepare for the exam. This is how it should be for all students during AP tests. Why are we being held to a harsher standard? It’s even worse for students who are scheduled to take their AP test in the afternoon. They are expected to take morning classes, then automatically shift gears into a major exam. Instead, students should be using their time before the test to study and review material, so it is fresh in their minds, and they feel more prepared
AP students shouldn’t be penalized for taking on academic challenges. Instead, they should be offered support for taking the most rigorous courses in order to achieve their goals and requirements for their desired future or field. Receiving an excused leave for one day of school isn’t a special request, but rather a reasonable accommodation to support the already anxious test takers on “The big day.” It would prioritize student health and academic success with just a minor tweak to the schedule.
There are several solutions the school district could implement. At the very least, they could excuse the morning exam takers from their afternoon classes. Students with afternoon classes should be given the morning off to prepare. In an ideal scenario, all AP test takers should receive a full-day excused absence. Not only would this align our accommodation with other schools, but it would also serve as a representation of our schools’ values and respect for student effort and mental health.
It is time to take a closer look at our district’s AP test taking policies and re-evaluate the expectations that are being placed on the students actually taking these tests. We should give these test takers the respect and space they deserve, as our brains can only handle so much at a time. While other schools are given unfair advantages in comparison to our district, it’s time to level out the plain field and give us an equal advantage. After all, besides retakes, the entire country is scheduled to take their AP tests on the same day. Let’s make it a better day for our students and show respect for their hard work and dedication and give them the time they deserve.
