Our School System has changed many times during my schooling period up to now. It is now crucial for us to have to pass the new TAKS exam to graduate. This exam can either make us or break us. It is an issue that should not get in the way of graduation for students: something so small – a standardized test grade-will outline our future of going on to college. Also, the school system needs to revise how they can make changes to the points received in Advanced Placement courses equal to those students who are taking College Prep or regular classes.
             In all the years before, students would have to master the TAAS exam at the end of every year to pass to the next grade level. Once you got to the eleventh grade and learned the test, you were good to go your senior year when you were ready to apply to colleges of your choice. Also, the TAAS only covered reading, writing, grammar, and math. As long as you took your time and followed the directions, the test was pretty simple and to the point. As luck would have it, the school system changed from the TAAS to the TAKS exam. The juniors of 2003-2004 will have to master English, Math, Science, and History TAKS exams to graduate from high school. These areas are being tested in a completely different method. Students have to now use critical thinking skills in order to complete and pass the test.
             Many students are having a hard time adjusting to the new ways of answering the questions thus, leading to a higher percentage of students who may not be able to graduate at their proposed dates due to failure. The TAKS exam should not mandate whether or not we are eligible to graduate. Now if we take the exam as a benchmark to see where we stand then there is no argument. One test should not decide whether or not we are ready and capable of completing high school. For example, if an honor student has been having a tough week and does poorly on the exams it will take credit for his entire scho...