Midterms?
So, last week, we had some friends over while I was in the midst of what I (and the school I attend) call midterms. When I told one of my friends that I had a midterm that week, she got a puzzled look on her face and asked "So. . .when does your term start?" When I told her that it started in August, she was incensed that we called these tests midterms, since they weren't truly in the middle of the term. Truth be told, some of my classes have three to four "midterms." I never really thought about the term not describing true middle of the term exams.
So, my question is: What does "midterm" mean to you? One of a series of large, significant tests taken over the course of a school term? Or does it ONLY mean a test taken in the middle of the term? If that's the case, what do you call those tests that do not take place in the middle of the term?
I sincerely hope this makes sense. It's 3:50 AM and I have a "midterm" again tomorrow morning at 8:30. Yay for caffeine!
ETA: To clarify, in my lexicon, we have midterms, (1 - 4 tests spread out over the course of the term) and then a final exam at the end of the term. So my "midterm" last week was not a final exam.
So, my question is: What does "midterm" mean to you? One of a series of large, significant tests taken over the course of a school term? Or does it ONLY mean a test taken in the middle of the term? If that's the case, what do you call those tests that do not take place in the middle of the term?
I sincerely hope this makes sense. It's 3:50 AM and I have a "midterm" again tomorrow morning at 8:30. Yay for caffeine!
ETA: To clarify, in my lexicon, we have midterms, (1 - 4 tests spread out over the course of the term) and then a final exam at the end of the term. So my "midterm" last week was not a final exam.