Why Do High Schools Have Finals?

Final exams are a common and often stressful part of the high school experience. Most high school students face finals at the end of each semester or school year, usually covering material from an entire course. While finals can be challenging, they serve several important purposes in the educational process. But why do high schools have finals, and what are the benefits of this type of assessment?

In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why high schools administer final exams, the advantages and criticisms of finals, and how they fit into the broader picture of student learning and academic development.

Table of Contents

What Are Final Exams?

A final exam is a cumulative test that usually takes place at the end of a semester or academic year. It assesses a student’s understanding of the material covered throughout the course. Finals can include multiple-choice questions, essays, short answers, or a combination of different types of questions. Some finals are written exams, while others may involve projects, presentations, or practical assessments in subjects like art or science.

1. Assessing Comprehensive Knowledge

The primary purpose of final exams is to assess a student’s comprehensive understanding of the material. Unlike quizzes or midterms that focus on specific units or chapters, finals test students on everything they’ve learned over a longer period of time. This helps teachers evaluate whether students have mastered the key concepts and skills necessary to move on to the next level of study.

Example: A math final might cover topics like algebra, geometry, and trigonometry from the entire semester or year, ensuring that students can apply different concepts to solve problems.

By requiring students to demonstrate their knowledge across a wide range of topics, finals help ensure that they have a solid foundation in the subject before advancing to more complex material.

2. Encouraging Long-Term Retention

Finals encourage long-term retention of information. Without cumulative exams, students might focus only on short-term memorization for smaller, chapter-based tests and quickly forget the material once the test is over. Finals force students to review and study everything they’ve learned, reinforcing important concepts and promoting deeper understanding.

Example: In history classes, finals may require students to connect events, trends, and historical figures they learned about over the entire semester or year, helping them see the bigger picture.

By studying for finals, students are more likely to remember important material for future courses or their overall education, rather than just for the next test.

3. Developing Study Habits and Time Management

Preparing for final exams teaches students valuable study habits and time management skills. Finals often require students to review a large amount of material, which can’t be effectively crammed into one night. As a result, students must learn how to organize their time, prioritize different topics, and engage in effective study practices.

Example: A student may create a study schedule that allocates specific time blocks for each subject over the course of several days or weeks, allowing them to review the material in manageable chunks.

Learning how to prepare for finals equips students with skills they will need in college and the workforce, where they will need to manage deadlines, projects, and complex tasks.

4. Providing a Measure of Accountability

Final exams also provide a measure of accountability for students. They serve as a way to evaluate whether students have been keeping up with the course material throughout the semester or if they have fallen behind. For students who may not perform well on smaller assignments or quizzes, finals give them an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding and improve their overall grade.

Example: A student who didn’t do well on a few quizzes might still pass the course if they perform well on the final exam, showing that they have understood the material by the end of the semester.

Finals also help teachers identify areas where students are struggling, allowing them to adjust their instruction for future classes or reteach certain concepts before the final exam.

5. Preparing Students for College

In many ways, high school finals help prepare students for the demands of college. Most college courses require students to take high-stakes exams, including midterms and finals, that weigh heavily on their final grade. By experiencing finals in high school, students learn how to prepare for these cumulative assessments, easing their transition to college-level coursework.

Example: A student who has taken finals in high school will be better prepared for the rigorous testing environment in college, where exams often cover large amounts of material and are a significant portion of the grade.

High school finals give students a taste of the academic expectations they will face in college, helping them develop the skills and resilience needed for success in higher education.

Criticisms and Challenges of High School Finals

While finals serve important purposes, they are not without their criticisms. Some educators and students question whether final exams are the best way to assess student learning, particularly in a high-stakes format.

1. Test Anxiety

One of the main criticisms of finals is that they can cause significant test anxiety for students. The pressure of knowing that a final exam can heavily influence their overall grade can be stressful, especially for students who struggle with test-taking or who feel overwhelmed by the amount of material they need to review.

Example: A student who understands the material but suffers from test anxiety may not perform well on a final, leading to a grade that doesn’t accurately reflect their abilities or effort.

2. Focus on Memorization

Some argue that finals often emphasize memorization rather than true comprehension or critical thinking. When students are faced with a large amount of material to study, they may resort to memorizing facts and definitions just to pass the test, rather than engaging with the material in a meaningful way.

Example: A science final might ask students to recall specific terms or formulas rather than applying their knowledge to solve real-world problems.

Critics suggest that finals should focus more on problem-solving and application of knowledge rather than rote memorization.

3. Unequal Impact on Grades

Final exams often carry a significant weight—sometimes as much as 20-30% of a student’s final grade. For students who have worked hard throughout the semester but struggle on the final, this can disproportionately affect their overall grade.

Example: A student who has consistently earned high marks on assignments and quizzes might see their grade drop significantly if they have a bad day during the final exam.

Because finals are such high-stakes assessments, some argue that they should be balanced with other forms of assessment, such as projects, presentations, or portfolios, that allow students to demonstrate their learning in different ways.

Alternatives to Traditional Finals

Given the challenges associated with traditional final exams, some schools and educators are exploring alternative methods of assessing student learning. These alternatives often focus on project-based learning or cumulative projects that allow students to demonstrate their understanding in more creative and applied ways.

1. Portfolio Assessments

Instead of a single exam, students could be asked to compile a portfolio of their work from throughout the semester. A portfolio might include essays, projects, lab reports, and other assignments that demonstrate their learning over time. This allows teachers to assess growth and progress rather than a one-time performance.

Example: An English class might require students to submit a portfolio of written work, including creative writing, essays, and research papers, along with reflections on their learning process.

2. Cumulative Projects

Many schools are shifting toward cumulative projects or presentations as an alternative to traditional finals. These projects require students to apply what they’ve learned to solve a problem, create something new, or present their findings, allowing for deeper engagement with the material.

Example: A history class might ask students to create a multimedia presentation on a historical event, analyzing its causes and consequences in depth.

3. Capstone Projects

Some high schools are incorporating capstone projects as a way for students to demonstrate their learning in a more personalized and meaningful way. These long-term projects typically require students to research a topic of interest, complete a project, and present their findings to the class.

Example: A student interested in environmental science might complete a capstone project on climate change, conducting research and proposing solutions to reduce carbon emissions.

Conclusion

High schools have finals because they serve important purposes in assessing comprehensive knowledge, encouraging long-term retention, and preparing students for the academic demands of college and beyond. While final exams can be challenging, they help both students and teachers evaluate overall progress and mastery of material.

However, finals are not without their challenges, including test anxiety and an overemphasis on memorization. As education evolves, some schools are exploring alternative assessments that focus more on problem-solving, creativity, and application of knowledge. Whether through traditional finals or innovative projects, the goal remains the same: to ensure that students are learning and growing in meaningful ways.

Why Do High Schools Have Finals?

What Are Final Exams?