This year, Andover’s end-of-term schedule has changed to incorporate common assessment periods for certain World Language and Science courses. The specified language courses will take the final assessment for the class on Tuesday afternoon, while the science courses will take it on Thursday. This allows the specified courses to hold a common final where all sections of the course take the same test, with some courses choosing to meet in the same location as well.
According to Caroline Odden, Dean of Studies, these changes were initiated by the Academic Council in response to requests among departments to have a common assessment over the regular individual exams. Students were not involved in the making of this decision.
The original intention of the Academic Council was to facilitate the exams. Odden explained how the common assessments benefit both faculty and students during finals week.
“Providing a uniform experience to all students in multi-section courses helps teachers stay aligned, which in turn promotes equity for students,” wrote Odden in an email to The Phillipian.
Odden continued by specifying how the new schedule is also intended to help students with time management and balancing the stress of exams. By adding in two new blocks, students are guaranteed free periods spaced throughout the week to aid in studying and managing work.
“If a class is using the common block, the regular period block will be free, and vice-versa. This means that two free periods have been incorporated into the assessment week for everyone,” wrote Odden.
For students, Serafina Shin-von Nordenflycht ’25 shared how she believes that the common final block addition to the schedule will affect students. Specifically, Shin-von Nordenflycht shared her thoughts on how the changes in the finals schedule might make students feel uncomfortable due to being in a different environment.
“People are used to being able to rely on their periods and smaller class sizes, and now it’s more likely that [their finals] will be taken in larger classrooms and buildings. That’s more intimidating, so there’s a stress factor added,” said Shin-von Nordenflycht.
Contrastingly, Nate Bechard ’24 discussed how the change in end-of-term schedule will be beneficial in allowing more time to prepare for exams. However, echoing Shin-von Nordenflycht, Bechard commented on how the change in environment will take getting used to for some students, especially as communication with students did not seem very widespread.
“My classes are mostly exams this term and so having the free periods will make it more manageable for me… It will be a little different taking a test in Snyder [Center] though. Reminds me of the SAT… I am not clear on whether I am taking my science test in period four or if I am taking it in the big science block [assessment period]. It might be because I am not proactive with finals week this year, with seeking out the schedule, but prior to [this interview] I wasn’t aware it had changed,” said Bechard.
While to current Andover students, this iteration of the end-of-term schedule is new, Congmin Zhao, Chinese Department Head, shared that this schedule has been one that has been seen in the past and thus hasn’t changed her course planning.
“The common assessment block may be new to current PA [Phillips Academy] students, but it was a norm several years ago. So, for me, including this option in the end-of-term schedule is not new. It does not influence my course schedule or planning since I always get my final assessments ready before assessment week,” wrote Zhao in an email to The Phillipian.
Zhao continued by noting that, to some faculty, the new schedule allows for greater flexibility and convenience during finals week.
“As far as I know, convenience, or lack thereof, is only part of many teachers’ considerations when planning for final assessments. Generally speaking, teachers want to balance convenience, both for teachers and students, intellectual challenge, eustress, and fairness when choosing ways to conduct their assessments, especially in multi-selection courses. Having the common assessment block as an option is a convenience since it allows more flexibility for educational purposes,” wrote Zhao.
Due to it being new to current Andover students, Zhao described how the common assessment period will affect students will differ on a person-to-person basis.
“Choosing to use the common assessment block may have different effects on different students. The magnitude of the effects may also vary from no difference to a drastic difference. Whatever the effect is, I hope it can be developmentally beneficial — although it may be uncomfortable or even intimidating at this point. Students should proactively reach out to their teachers and other adults to explore helpful test-taking strategies if needed. If a student needs accommodations that the common assessment block cannot offer, they should reach out to our Academic Skills Center (ASC) and see if they can find an alternative plan for their final assessments,” wrote Zhao.
To make finals week go smoothly amidst a new schedule, students should familiarize themselves with their exam schedule. Odden detailed what students should do to avoid any complications.
“Students should ensure they know the location and timing of their language and science exams. They should also check to see whether their courses are using the common block or the period block,” wrote Odden.
