For many students, the stress of midterms doesn’t start during midterm week. It starts earlier in the days leading up to it when teachers assign unit tests, quizzes and major assignments in what has become known as “pre-midterm testing.” While these tests are often intended to help students prepare, they can sometimes feel like midterms in disguise, raising questions about how much pressure students are expected to manage at once. 

To be fair, teachers do not assign these tests without reason. Many are working within strict curriculum schedules and want to make sure students have mastered key material before moving forward. A test before midterms can act as a checkpoint, helping teachers identify where students may be struggling and what needs review.

When used intentionally and correctly, pre-midterm assessments can provide clarity and structure rather than chaos.

There is also the argument that spreading assessments out is better than cramming everything into one week. Midterms already carry a reputation for long nights, heavy studying and back-to-back exams. By placing some tests beforehand, teachers may believe they are easing the burden of midterm week itself. For some students, this approach can make studying feel more manageable and less overwhelming.

However, for many students, the reality feels very different. The week before midterms is filled with review packets, project deadlines and preparation across multiple classes. Adding major tests into that mix often turns a preparation period into a pressure cooker. Instead of helping them feel ready, pre-midterm testing can leave students drained before midterms even begin.

“In my opinion, having tests the week before midterms is useless and just stresses me out more because I need this time to study for the midterms, not worry about these tests, and then not have time for the more important ones,” junior Eden Rosenberg said.

The issue becomes even more complicated when multiple teachers schedule tests independently of one another. A single pre-midterm test might be manageable, but several in the same week can quickly pile up. Students juggling extracurricular activities, sports or family responsibilities may find it especially difficult to keep up. At that point, academic performance may reflect stress and exhaustion rather than actual understanding.

“Before midterm week is the week I aim to do most of my studying for midterms,” junior Sophia Rastegar said. “When teachers from classes with midterms assign tests, it just feels like more pressure added on that distracts me from tests that can make or break my grade.”

Pre-midterm testing also blurs the purpose of midterm week itself. If students are already being assessed heavily beforehand, midterms can feel less like a meaningful evaluation and more like just another obstacle. This raises the important question if these assessments are helping students learn or if they are simply adding to an already demanding system.

In the end, the problem is not testing itself, but timing and balance. Pre-midterm tests can be useful when they are planned carefully and communicated clearly. However, when they become excessive or poorly coordinated, they risk harming student well-being and academic confidence. 

Midterms are meant to measure learning, not endurance. If schools want students to perform at their best, they must consider not only what is being tested, but when. Sometimes, giving students the space and time to prepare is just as important as the assessment itself.