Happy New Year! With midterms fast approaching, we decided to get to the bottom of some questions that have been floating around the Academy in regards to these new exams. Mrs. Colin answered some of these questions, and her answers can hopefully put students at ease.

Why did NDA stop having midterms in the first place?

“I’m not sure when NDA stopped having mid-years. For some perspective, this is my 13th year here, and we’re just bringing them back!”

Why have you decided to bring them back?

“Incorporating mid-year exams into the academic program is a direct result from our re-accreditation process about 4 years ago. One of the recommendations to come from our self-study was to include mid-year exams and so we are responding to this recommendation.”

If finals originally were weighted as 12% of a student’s grade, and now finals and midterms are both 6%, where does the 6% for a final go if one takes an AP class (because there are no finals for AP classes)?

“Similar to all class, the mid-year exam in an AP course will also be weighted as 6% of the final grade with each of 4 quarters being evenly distributed over the remaining 94% to make the final average.”

Are you glad that students will be taking midterms this year?

“Yes, I am a proponent of having mid-year exams.”

Do you believe it is beneficial for students to take midterms?

“Some of the benefits of having mid-year exams include students experiencing larger assessments more often during the school year and ultimately throughout their high school years. Additionally, this additional exam may better supports the overall grade outcome in each course with 6 grades making up the final average as opposed to 5 (4 quarters and 2 exams v. 4 quarters and 1 exam).”

Did you take midterms when you attended NDA?

“I sure did!”

Do you have any advice for students who may be worried/nervous for midterms?

“I feel confident that mid-year exams (or finals for that matter) should not be something to ‘stress’ over. Each student has been preparing all semester for these exams by being ready for class – completed homework, success on tests and quizzes, full effort on projects, and consistent attention and participation in class. Success on exams doesn’t boil down to the teacher’s review and a few nights of studying but rather the efforts that have been made consistently all the weeks leading up to them.”

This is the schedule of midterms for this year:

January 20, 2015– Theology and Science

January 21, 2015– English and Math

January 22, 2015– History and Language

As Mrs. Colin tells us, don’t stress over midterms because you have been preparing for these exams by participating in your classes throughout the year. As our former president Jimmy Carter once said, “You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can.” Good luck, and don’t stress!