End-of-Course (EOC) exams are not new, nor are they controlled directly by schools. Instead, EOCs are state-mandated tests used to gauge a school’s proficiency in teaching by testing students. The higher the average grade, the better the school is considered. It sounds like a good idea, but for students, it’s almost repetitive; after all, right after taking the EOC, students are still required to take a final. At Cartersville, there is a way to exempt finals, but the point stands for those who don’t or can’t. Having to do both tests can feel stressful, adding more pressure to a time already riddled with anxiety.  

 I am not saying EOCs should not happen, but rather that finals aren’t necessary in a class already taking the state-mandated test. The EOC counts for 20% of a student’s grade. There isn’t much of a point to taking something more, especially as it already goes over every unit in a given class. However, there are some students who would like to take both. For example, if a student has a 79 that could be rounded to an 80 in the case that they got a good grade on another test, they will likely want that chance. In that event, it may be better to keep the final test optional as extra credit.  

Still, requiring both the EOC and a separate final is redundant to students. Instead, in classes where an EOC is mandated, finals should be optional as extra credit. Alternatively, if a student gets a bad grade on the EOC, they could be required to take the extra test to make up for it. Either way, the end of a semester is already stressful enough without the added stress of an unnecessary final, so taking it out would be optimal.