If you were to go back 10 or 20 years, every school gave finals. Â And then a few years ago, the idea of competencies was proposed. Â Many schools dropped finals and switched over completely to competencies. Â Not my school. Â We are just about the only school that has both finals and competencies. Â And let me tell you, it’s quite a bother. Â Not only do I spend all year making sure all three or four competencies are at an A or B, but twice a year I have to cram everything that I’ve learnt so far that year back into my little head and take a giant test.
For those of you that don’t know, competencies are a way of grading. Â They split your grade into three sections to judge whether you are competent in knowledge, skill, and ability of the topic or class. Â Many students dislike this way of grading, while I personally love it. Â Many students tend to be lacking in a competency, which isn’t good. Â If you fail one competency you fail the whole class. Â Although I personally think it is pretty hard to fail a competency since, at least in my school, the teachers help you and want you to pass.
If you have finals, you don’t have to worry about competencies, but twice a year you have a week of school dedicated to taking giant tests.  Finals are miserable.  Failing a final can make you fail a class, and at that point you don’t have time to bring your grade up.  Finals are a corrupted system for those of us who don’t test well.  And if you’re having a bad day the day of a final?  Chances are you’re out of luck.  At least I would be, since when I’m in a bad mood, I can’t concentrate.
If it was up to me, my school would do solely competencies. Â It is easy enough to keep all your grades up, and then you don’t have to take a huge test at the end of the year! Â Same thing with sophomore and senior projects. Â Most schools have only one or the other, if any, but my school has both. Â Don’t get me wrong, I love my school. Â I love the teachers and most of the students there, it’s just a bummer that we have to do so much work.