This week at John Champe High School, all the juniors are taking the two-part, end-of-course Writing SOL. Students from third grade up to ninth grade take SOLs, an end-of-the-year final exam based on a specific subject. The last SOL taken by students is the writing SOL taken by the juniors. Split into two parts, students first attempt the MCQ portion of the test on Tuesday, Mar. 11, and the written portion on Wednesday, Mar. 12. The MCQ contained 44 questions regarding grammar, spelling and punctuation. The written portion asked students to write a five paragraph essay based on an argumentative essay prompt. All juniors are allowed to be exempt from their classes to take this test. They are given as much time as they need, though most choose not to use the whole day. Once they are finished taking the SOL, they have officially completed the tests mandated for Virginia Standards of Learning.

“It felt really weird taking an SOL again after so long,” junior Tanvi Puthumbaku said. “Honestly, I’m just happy it’s over.”