Unkind Studying Conditions for AP Exam Takers
I took two AP exams last year, even though I am domestic, and wrote an article (in Editorial Style) about my thoughts of the studying conditions for AP exam takers. (The simple 'interview' mentioned in the article is based on a talk I had with a friend during the time)
Every year, right after the midterms in Korean Minjok Leadership Academy, Advanced Placement examination period comes. AP exams have great importance regarding university for international students, for it shows how much one has “mastered” in a specific subject. It is also an excellent chance for international students who have a relatively poor GPA to make up for past grades. However, as important as it is, the exams are surely not held in the best time period of the year. According to an anonymous 23rd waver, since it’s literally impossible to study for the AP exams before the midterms, the actual amount of time left after the midterms is roughly about 2 weeks. Furthermore, during the AP exam period, some teachers continue teaching next chapters, and students who take the AP exams often struggle to catch up afterwards. The final and most emphasized problem mentioned was that students were prohibited from going out to the corridor to study after 2AM during the AP exam period.
The problem of studying in the corridor that arises at this period is fundamentally due to KMLA’s “lights-out” and curfew regulations. In the rooms of KMLA dormitory, all lights are turned off at 2A.M. The primary goal is to ensure that students are getting at least 4 hours of sleep. Curfew regulations become effective starting from 12AM, forbidding students from coming out of their rooms after 12AM or else eight penalty points are given.
Students taking the AP exams have complained about the regulations prohibiting studying in the halls after 2AM during the AP period. When the electricity shuts down, some students do use a type of chargeable desk stand, but not all. Those who do not possess one and are taking the AP exams have a big disadvantage, as the only way of light source is the bathroom, not a great place for exam prep.
The school does have its reasons for banning the students from wandering around the corridors past 12AM. To guarantee that a number of approximately 450 students are safely staying within their dorm rooms, enforcement of a curfew is necessary to a certain level. not However, international students, and even some domestic students that have to take AP exams argue that studying in the corridor does not interrupt other students’ sleep. They also express frustration about the fact that studying in the corridor past 2AM is allowed during regular school exam periods while it’s not during APs.
There are two possible solutions for this issue. The first one is the withdrawal of the ban of studying in the hallways after 2AM during AP periods. The second solution is changing the time that the lights turn out in the dormitory to a later period. Between the two possible solutions, the first solution seems to be more likely to be accepted by the school and the dorm parents. The second solution seems highly unlikely to pass since it causes a problem to students that are not taking AP exams and are willing to sleep.
AP exam period is a crucial phase for international track students. It is the role of the school to allow students to study freely and comfortably, not to scurry to the bathroom to solve another practice test.
The problem of studying in the corridor that arises at this period is fundamentally due to KMLA’s “lights-out” and curfew regulations. In the rooms of KMLA dormitory, all lights are turned off at 2A.M. The primary goal is to ensure that students are getting at least 4 hours of sleep. Curfew regulations become effective starting from 12AM, forbidding students from coming out of their rooms after 12AM or else eight penalty points are given.
Students taking the AP exams have complained about the regulations prohibiting studying in the halls after 2AM during the AP period. When the electricity shuts down, some students do use a type of chargeable desk stand, but not all. Those who do not possess one and are taking the AP exams have a big disadvantage, as the only way of light source is the bathroom, not a great place for exam prep.
The school does have its reasons for banning the students from wandering around the corridors past 12AM. To guarantee that a number of approximately 450 students are safely staying within their dorm rooms, enforcement of a curfew is necessary to a certain level. not However, international students, and even some domestic students that have to take AP exams argue that studying in the corridor does not interrupt other students’ sleep. They also express frustration about the fact that studying in the corridor past 2AM is allowed during regular school exam periods while it’s not during APs.
There are two possible solutions for this issue. The first one is the withdrawal of the ban of studying in the hallways after 2AM during AP periods. The second solution is changing the time that the lights turn out in the dormitory to a later period. Between the two possible solutions, the first solution seems to be more likely to be accepted by the school and the dorm parents. The second solution seems highly unlikely to pass since it causes a problem to students that are not taking AP exams and are willing to sleep.
AP exam period is a crucial phase for international track students. It is the role of the school to allow students to study freely and comfortably, not to scurry to the bathroom to solve another practice test.
I read this in the Minjok Herald. Great article. Could have been a podcast episode!
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