In a college setting ; exams/tests are not taken near as often making them harder to pass . College exams consist of a large amount of material that may have been covered as far back as 2-3 weeks ago! So for High School students, imagine every test you take is to the equivalent of your six weeks exams. College professors are not required to give a review like so many High School teachers baby their students with these days. Students (including myself) need to learn to prepare for tests on their own which is not something they feel incapable of doing. In my opinion the STARR has to be hardest test considering we go all year long "preparing" for a test that we have no idea what is on it! I feel this test deters our education because teachers feel they cannot go into depth over certain subject while still staying within the criteria of the STARR. Easier tests would be your run of the mill weekly tests given by our teachers. Again, this does include myself but there really is no reason to fail any test unless there is just an error in the test itself. Students have plenty of opportunities to both study and receive help from parents, teachers, or fellow classmates. Unfortunately other things tend to be more "important".