Junior Emily Thompson takes her seat in AP Literature only to find another literacy exam practice question sitting in front of her. With a sigh she picks up her pencil and begins to answer the question. In the end she gets the right answer again and thinks for the millionth time, “I don’t want to do this!”.

On March 6-7 Thompson and all the juniors gathered in the upstairs A and C halls to take the junior literacy exam that will assess the entire state. This exam occurs every year and is state mandated. It measures the literacy skills of reading and writing. The students have been practicing questions and preparing all year for this test.

“All students have been taking practice assessments from the released tests all year long just so we make sure they do well,” said lead English teacher Amy Johnson.

Although the advanced placement students may feel confident as well as the English 11 students, those who have learning disabilities or are just now learning the English language may have a difficult time. For instance the English learners are given extended time and a word-to-word dictionary to help with the challenge.

“It will be more difficult,” said literacy coach Kristin Groves. “But it also depends on the level on which they came to the USA. There are so many variables to consider.”

The Language Academy has prepared the students all year long with vocabulary, comparing and contrasting, and everything that might appear on the exam.

“We do everything, teach everything, they’re being enriched with vocabulary all the time,” said Mrs. Groves.

For the teachers who go through this test every year, they agree that this test may not be the best way to rank the schools or challenge the students.

“I think there is a better way than a two-day, eight-hour test,” said AP Literature teacher Mary Margret Gray.

Even the lead teacher of the English department sees some flaws with the AP Lit exam and current system.

“We should have some sort of test, but a different style could have more feedback,” said Mrs. Johnson.

Although the students don’t have a choice in the matter, they are given incentives for them to do well. Effort based rewards are determined by the proctors in each room, those putting forth their best effort will be able to take their spring semester English 11 exam early and be excused from attending on the actual test date.

Students who earn proficient will get to take their fall semester English 12 exam early and pay only half-price for a parking pass the following year. Advanced students will take both fall and spring semester English 12 exam early and receive a free parking pass.

However, if a student’s results are poor they will remediated throughout their senior year.

“I think with the practice I’ll be able to score well on this exam. It should be easy,” said Thompson. “It will be good to see how our school ranks in comparison.”

If a student misses the exam, they will be called out of regular class periods to finish testing. With all the practice, teachers hold the highest faith in their students.

“I think they will do well. I absolutely think they will try hard and they are prepared,” said Mrs. Johnson.