An exit exam, also known as a final exam, is a test that a student may be required to take in order to demonstrate proficiency in a class, a major subject in college, or, in the case of high school, to demonstrate basic math and English proficiency in order to receive a diploma. When looking for information about the exit exam on the Internet, you’ll notice that the subject is mostly discussed in the context of this last definition. This is particularly true in the case of the California high school exit exam (CAHSEE), which is now a graduation requirement for all California high school students. Other schools, states, and countries may require students to take exit tests to ensure that no one graduates or moves on to another course without demonstrating that they have mastered the material.
As is the case with the CAHSEE, some exit exams are highly standardized. An exit exam may also be composed by teachers and made for specific students studying in a specific area, especially in the college setting. Some Master’s students, for example, may not be required to write a thesis and may be able to receive their degree by taking an exam instead. In this case, they may be required to take both a written and an oral examination to demonstrate competency in their major.
In some cases, a college may require all students who plan to earn a bachelor’s degree to take an exit exam. Colleges frequently test students’ written proficiency a year or two before they graduate. If they struggle to write a few five-paragraph essays, they may need to enroll in a remedial course or two to improve their writing skills. Exit tests may be required by trade and professional schools, especially if they offer certification. These tests may be required of students before they can obtain licensure or certification in a particular subject.
Exit exams are used to assist students who are not fully prepared to pass a class, graduate from high school or college, or work in their chosen field. Many of them are generic and non-specific tests that only look for basic writing and math skills. You may not need to study for these generalized knowledge tests unless these areas pose a problem for you. Exit exams that evaluate skills in a specific field, on the other hand, can necessitate extensive study because they are often very specific and require significant knowledge of your field.