This year, the make-up test policy has “a 5% change,” Rabbi Frank, principal of the Ramaz Upper School, stated. If one were to miss a test, the first make-up test has no penalty and no consequences. The second make-up test in the same subject would result in a three-point deduction and the third make-up would result in a six-point deduction. 

Last year Rabbi Frank created a new policy: Students are only allowed to take a maximum of three make-up tests per semester. Make-up tests are administered after school on Wednesdays and “under no circumstance will any test be given before the test is administered,” the Ramaz Handbook stated

This discourages students from abusing the make-up system and from missing a certain amount of tests. With the Ruvna app and tapping in these past two years, the administration is able to tell what time students show up to school and “a later arrival to school on the day of the test counts,” according to the Ramaz Handbook. If a student decides to study all morning and show up a little before the test it will be counted as a make-up test . 

While the administration views the make-up test policy to be very straightforward and good for the education of the students, the students have mixed reactions. For some, the new makeup test policy adds pressure and is unreasonable. Abby Maksin ’27 said, “Things come up like being sick or important events that students can’t control especially over the course of a semester.” Students shouldn’t have to force themselves to show up to school to take a test when they are sick, affecting their academic performance and even putting other students at risk of getting sick. Another student believes that “there needs to be somewhat of a makeup policy but… Ramaz needs to be a bit more flexible and take this added sense of pressure off the students.” However, there are students who think the new policy works really well. Esther Dishi ’27 said, “[The new policy] doesn’t feel too overwhelming and the school is understanding of particular situations that require make-up tests excuses.”

This new make-up test policy might be controversial now, but only time will tell if it will have a positive impact on the school. Students and administrators alongside each other will just have to wait and find out the impact of this new policy.