Final exams: what's really the point?

So, like the rest of the student population, I'm currently experiencing the stress, exhaustion, and pure hatred that comes with final exams week.  There's something about studying one subject for ten-plus hours at a time that can really just make you hate, and I mean absolutely despise, that topic.  In between ruffling through detailed study guides, semester's worths of readings, chugging down coffee, fighting for space in the library, and silently praying to the sleep gods for the sweet release of my bed, I took a step back and asked myself: what's really the point?

California High School Exit Exam. CAHSEE.

If you haven't graduated from a California high school in the last six years, chances are you've never heard of the C.A.S.H.E.E.. This acrinym is given to the California High School Exit Exam. This test has many urban legends behind it, but it's true that you can't graduate from high school without taking it in the state of California. As if high school seniors don't have enough stress bared upon them through other standardized tests, like the SAT's and ACT's, in addition to the regular pressures of getting into college, as well as keeping a healthy social life and worrying about prom, California students also have to worry about this test. On May 3rd, anxious high-schoolers even managed to make it a trending topic on Twitter. The purpose of the CASHEE is to assess whether students who graduate from high school can demonstrate grade level competency in the state's content standards for reading, writing and mathematics. Let's make sure California beats out neighboring states with our scores! Good Luck!