The test schedule is an issue that affects all test-taking students here at TABC. It determines when all tests, for all classes, are given. Something so important naturally invites controversy, with many students complaining about difficulties caused by the test schedule.
Despite its importance, knowledge about the test schedule in the general student body is uneven. A recent survey conducted by The Eye of the Storm revealed that many students can only point out basic facts about the test schedule.
Of the 84 students who took the survey, 70% correctly identified that the test schedule is written by Principal Arthur Poleyeff. However, less than 15% of students knew that Poleyeff has written the test schedule for the past 20 years.
And while over 75% of students knew that the purpose of the test schedule is to ensure there aren’t too many tests on one day, less than 30% knew that student requests would be considered when making the test schedule.
Upon hearing that student requests would be considered, many students shared the response of Sophomore Itai Hudes, who commented, “I have to admit, it is a bit surprising.”
So what’s the deal with the test schedule?
First, some background. Poleyeff suggested the test schedule 20 years ago, where four test dates were assigned for each of the major classes. Minor classes like gym or electives are not required to give tests.
According to Poleyeff, the schedule was created so a student “wouldn’t have four tests” in one day.
Other methods have been tried. For example,the school briefly tried a reservation method, where teachers would pick test dates in advance.
Poleyeff commented that this system “didn’t work.” The issue would be that students would still end up with multiple tests on one day, as teachers didn’t account for tracking. For example, a student in 10A for English and 10R for math could have tests in both of those classes.
The test schedule isn’t really all that strict. According to Poleyeff, both teacher and student requests would be considered for the test schedule. Also, four tests a semester per class is the maximum amount of tests each teacher can give (although they are allowed to give fewer than four tests).
“[The test schedule] works well with me, and I work well with it,” said Rabbi Chaim Jachter.
Despite all this, the current system is not perfect. Over 50% of students surveyed said that they were either “unsatisfied” or “very unsatisfied” with the test schedule. Only 11% of students reported being “satisfied” or “very satisfied”.
A common complaint from students is that tests are not spread out enough.
“[I would like] a better test schedule without 5 tests in a single week,” said Junior Yoni Weinreich.
The scenario that Weinreich bemoans isn’t so uncommon. The test schedule permits one Judaic and one Secular test to be given on the same day, as well as any number of quizzes. This could happen multiple times in a week, giving students no break.
That’s not just a theoretical case. Junior Menachem Kravetz describes having “four tests and one quiz” in the span of four days.
Fixing this problem requires better communication of student needs to the administration. It’s doable, but students need to step up to prevent the test schedule from being a problem.