I found out back towards the end of December that I had to take the math portion CLAST Exam in order to obtain my diploma for my AA degree. I was fine with that at first and it was just a minor inconvenience, that is, until I actually did some research on this pointless exam. Upon finding out that one has to pass this thing to graduate I became increasingly angry. There I was, happy that i was finally going to get my AA after all the garbage I had to put up with from the school. I literally felt like a door had been slammed in my face after discovering this most unpleasant news. I've done my time and gotten all my credits out of the way and that should be enough. 

In my research I've learned that this test has been the ruination of many careers as 80% fail the first time they take this exam. Yes, you may be able to take this test as many times as needed but at what cost? A lot of wasted time and stress. That's what. What is the person that has to take this thing five times supposed to feel? Pretty awful I imagine. That isn't helping anybody or propelling anyone forward with their life. it's holding them back and that is terrible and it isn't fair. This test may be a general knowledge test  but it covers a vast amount of material. I pity the people that have to take this thing in it's entirety. I'm terrified of failing it myself and I'm only taking the math portion. And that leads me to my next point, some people are not that great in English or math or even both. I am awful in math and it has been one of the greatest hardships I have had to face during my school career. I am mortified by the amount of material that I must remember for this exam and I know that I won't be able to because it is simply too much. 

Much like the FCAT, this test has no educational value. From what I can see you get absolutely nothing useful from it. It really ticks me off to the point that I am on the verge of writing the school board and share my thoughts on this exam. I don't expect them to care and just blow it off but at least I put it out there. This exam is sick and I want to spit on the fool who thought it was a good idea. I want to move on with my life and not have to worry about such trash as this. It should be gotten rid of as it has absolutely no merit to it at all.