Junior year has a reputation of being one of the worst years of high school, if not the worst due to the rigorous classes, extracurriculars, sports , and preparation to apply to college. Even with all of this on junior’s plates, they are only allowed to exempt two of their midterms.
In order to “skip” a midterm exam, students need to maintain an A- average semester average. Freshmen are allowed to exempt one class, sophomores and juniors can exempt two, and seniors have unlimited exemptions to every class they have an A- average in for semester one, and in semester two, for every class they have a C or higher in.
The fact that sophomores and juniors have the same amount of exemptions bothers some juniors. Junior Arianna Borhan spoke of this issue: “I don’t think it’s fair. From freshman to sophomore we get one more exemption, but what about from sophomore to junior year?” she said.
Other students also say that considering the amount of Advanced Placement (AP) classes, along with other rigorous classes many are enrolled in, there should be a minimum of three exemptions allowed. “Many juniors, including myself, are taking many AP classes, are athletes or have other important commitments. We should be allowed at least one more exemption,” junior Gabriela Passaro said.
Furthermore, junior year is the last year in high school where students are able to improve their achievements for their college applications. During this year, students take the PSAT, as well as the SAT or ACT, on top of everything else they do. Junior year is a time to prepare for the future, but it can be hard to do so with the amount of time needed to prepare for their exams.
