If you’re like any other student, you probably hate taking quizzes, tests, and above all, final exams. You would probably do anything and everything to not spend another second relearning what you have learned (and forgotten) back from unit one. If you’re anything like this and you’ve wished that you could skip it all, you’re in luck. FVHS has changed its exam exemption policy to include underclassmen but only if certain criteria is met.

First of all, it has to be a teacher-made exam, as unfortunately state exams are not eligible for exemptions. Secondly, your grade has to be above a “B” (80-100%). The third rule is that you must have less than 10 unexcused tardies, and finally, you must have less than 10 absences.

Art teacher Justin Depue expressed his appreciation for the new enforcement of exemptions, saying, “I think that it’s an outstanding incentive, and I’m glad that we’re applying it to all grades.”

It’s obvious that not every student will be eligible for this exemption, as events like doctors appointments still count as an absence. This is the rule for all grade levels in high school, regardless of whether you’re a freshman or a senior.

“Based [on] what I have seen in tardies and absences, I think that the majority–probably 80 percent of my students–might be exempting, if they keep this up,” said Depue.

Students cannot benefit from this if they are actively turning in work on time and keeping their grades up but not showing up on time, which can affect their chances of being exempt from their final exam.

Junior Jasmine Terrasse said, “I feel like final exam exceptions are well deserved since students have done all their work and kept their grades up and solid.”

So, if you want to skip finals, the rules are simple: stay on top of your work, keep your grades at a B or higher and maintain good attendance. Do that, and you just might leave earlier on testing day or not even have to show up at all.