Its that time of the year again: the end of school is coming and with that comes STAAR testing. Most students here at Cy Ranch dread the fact that they have to take these tests in order to graduate. But, it can’t be as bad as it was for upperclassmen, who had to take many more STAAR tests than what is required to graduate today.

“They don’t have to take as many as the senior class today did, but the testing stress can still be bad,” senior Rachel Occleston said.

There is, however, the idea that the tests are harder now and that’s why they don’t have to take as many. Although, there can’t be too much complaining throughout the student body because everything that is on the STAAR had to be taught to all of the students in their classes, as it’s in the textbook curriculum.

“If you didn’t mess around in the said subject’s class, you could easily pass the STAAR test and be done with it,” Occleston said.

But, that doesn’t seem to stop students from complaining about the tests they have to take, even though their graduation relies on how well they do. Even if students can take it over and over again until they pass, it’s still best to just learn in class and do well on the first time so that they never have to worry about it again.

“It’s easy to fail and try again, but it’s better to pass the first time, ” Occleston said.

However, there are students that struggle in testing environments regardless if they know the material or not. Sometimes the questions are just worded in an odd format, which throws the student off and confuses them, which just adds to the lingering anxiety students have from taking the test to begin with.

“I know plenty of kids that get testing anxiety, and sometimes I am one for standardized testing,” Occleston said. “It’s really hard.”

So, before complaining about the fact that it’s required to graduate, it’s important to just take the STAAR head-on and own the test the best you can. You won’t regret it.