Written by: Emma

Edited by: Leyla

Finals season is quickly approaching, and with it comes a packed schedule of AP, IB, MAP, and course-specific exams for 9th to 11th graders. To help students manage the pressure and perform their best, being informed about logistics is just as important as studying. 

Students are reminded to arrive at least 10 minutes early for their exams at the designated testing locations to ensure a smooth and timely start to the exam. Most exams are held in the High School Gym, though a few are in the Little Theater, Lofthouse, or in specific classrooms for MAP testing. The full schedule and any updates can be viewed here!

The exam period for 9th graders begins on May 6 with the AP Human Geography exam, while the sophomores start their finals on May 7th with AP Literature & Composition, English 2, and Math MAP testing. Juniors begin their first exams on Monday, May 5th, with a grueling IB Math exam marking the start. All students will end finals on May 14th with makeup exams in the high school gym. 

While the schedule aims to balance assessments across subjects and grade levels, students have expressed concerns with the planning. Several sophomores have expressed frustration with having to sit through a rigorous, three-hour-long AP exam, only to transition immediately into MAP testing on the same day. 

“After finishing the AP Lit exam, I barely had the brainpower left to even focus on the MAP test,” said one sophomore. Similarly, juniors are feeling the pressure of having multiple IB exams scheduled on the same day, making it difficult to manage their energy and focus. “It feels like we’re running a marathon with no breaks,” one junior commented. Another added, “I want to do well, but it’s hard to give 100% on each exam when they’re stacked back-to-back.” 

Despite these challenges, the Bearcat community remains determined to push through. Students and teachers alike are coming together to support one another, recognizing that while the testing season is demanding, it is also a culmination of everything they have worked toward this year. With resilience, preparation, and encouragement from their peers, Bearcats are ready to finish strong, celebrating not just the end of exams but the hard work, growth, and perseverance that have defined their journey.