As the first semester of the 2023-2024 school year comes to a close, midterm exams are just around the corner. Some question if exams should be taken before or after Christmas break. Taking them after break allows extra study time for heavily weighted exams, therefore they should be taken after break.
The weeks leading up to break are often one of the most stressful times of the school year because teachers are giving final tests/quizzes. If students had to take midterm exams on top of standard in-class tests, many would feel anxious and not do as well. According to barron news.com, students perform worse on exams when they are stressed because their ability to focus is compromised.
Though it can be stressful to think about exams over break, it allows students to have two-three more weeks to retain material and get caught up on classwork. If students continue to review over break they will feel more confident going into exams knowing that they took the time to study beforehand.
Most students take exams very seriously as they are a vital part of their final grade. It is important to give students the time they need to be successful, which is why midterm exams should be given after break.
