The second and third weeks of May will be dedicated for Bel Air students to complete their End of Course and STAAR exams. Consisting of Biology, Algebra 1, and U.S. History, plus AP courses such as Physics, U.S. history, and World History, freshmen and juniors will tackle the final exams required for the advancement in Bel Air.

“I’ve taken the English 2 test for Reading and all that’s left is the World History exam. I’m in a Pre-AP class, but you have to take it regardless,” sophomore Lorna Vasquez said. “I love to stuff a lot, so I love all my classes. I love English and learning, I also love World History. Just learning a lot of stuff, I find it interesting.”

“I’m taking the U.S. History exam, also AP tests for English 3 and AP Physics. I don’t like history. I think it’s difficult if you don’t understand the subject if you’re not fully grasping it. If you understand it then you should be fine. I don’t like it, so it’ll be interesting for me,” junior Lilliana Villa said.

The opinions on these final exams may vary, with students portraying the exams long or doubtfully necessary. The tests are seen as very relevant to a school’s environment, considering how the STAAR is needed in order to advance from grade to grade and the AP courses can provide college credit, thus saving money and time for Bel Air’s future college students.

“For people who don’t understand subjects, who are not very good with the English language, who only speak Spanish and don’t really understand how to read English, it’s not their fault if they don’t pass it.” Villa said “It’s not super important. It should be taken to determine how high your intelligence is, but it shouldn’t determine if you graduate or not.”

“I think we should have the tests because it determines how well a teacher can teach, but it shouldn’t determine whether we pass or not. Sometimes there are really bad teachers, and it’s not a student’s fault if they don’t pass. For me, it isn’t important, but for the school it’s mandatory. It’s not hard actually. Just pay attention in class and don’t talk to your friends during class,” Vasquez said.

There are various teachers aiding their students in preparing for the exam in different ways, all in favor to get the best out of the youth’s exam opportunity.

“I like my U.S. History teacher because she’s funny, and she actually tries her hardest to teach us. She tries to implement into our brains five times a class period. She’s trying very hard and I appreciate it, but I just don’t get history. To me, it’s very confusing. It’s so many dates,” Villa said, regarding U.S. History teacher Vikki Deloach.

“Our teacher is adorable, he’s a great teacher,” Vasquez said in regards to her English teacher Keith Russell.

Having previously tested, the students have their own tips to provide for fellow testers on how to ameliorate their experience.

“Read the questions right. Some of the easiest you can get wrong if you read wrong. Don’t fall asleep.” Villa said. “I’ve seen several students in testings where they fall asleep and they only have a few minutes left, and they have to answer the entire test in five minutes. After you’re done and you’re satisfied with yourself, then you can sleep, but if you fall asleep during the test chances are you’re not going to pass.”

“I would just follow Mr. Russell’s instructions. He tells us to eat well the whole week leading up to the test. Get a good night sleep. Have a good breakfast.”

By Austen Flores