Exam Exemptions, Grades 9-12

Purpose of Exam Exemptions

Exam exemptions have long been a structure in the Wake County Public School System to a method of incentivizing strong student attendance and success in their courses.  Traditionally, the opportunity for exam exemptions was extremely rigid with only 1-3 absences permitted to earn an exam exemption.  Post-COVID realities include the acknowledgment that students do need to stay home when sick.  As a result, the number of absences was increased to 10 absences (as opposed to 1-3) in recent years.
 

Eligibility for Exam Exemptions

Exam exemptions have traditionally been limited to students in grade 12.  In 2025-26, Apex Friendship High will join many other high schools in the district to operate a pilot program that allows for exemptions in grades 9-12.  Criteria is different by grade level as outlined below.
 

Grade 12

Students are eligible for exam exemptions if they meet all of the following criteria:

• • A or B as projected final grade for the course
  • 10 or fewer absences (of any kind) for the course.

Students cannot be exempt from state exams, most CTE assessments, or other testing required by the state. Exam exemptions do not apply to Wake Tech courses. For students enrolled in NCVPS courses, reach out to Mrs. Evans (kevans18@wcpss.net) if you feel that you qualify to be exempt from the final exam in your NCVPS class.
    

Grades 9-11

Students are eligible for exam exemptions if they meet all of the following criteria:

• • A or B as projected final grade for the course
  • 10 or fewer absences (of any kind) for the course.
  • 10 or fewer tardies in the course.

Students cannot be exempt from state exams, most CTE assessments, or other testing required by the state. Exam exemptions do not apply to Wake Tech courses. For students enrolled in NCVPS courses, reach out to Mrs. Evans (kevans18@wcpss.net) if you feel that you qualify to be exempt from the final exam in your NCVPS class.
    

Below are some logistical details for exam exemptions to help ensure are understanding the criteria above in the same way.

• All absences count toward exam exemptions. This includes excused and unexcused absences.  Educational absences count toward exemptions.  
• School sponsored field trips will not create absences and therefore do not count toward exemptions.
• To align with our existing tardy policy, only unexcused tardies will count toward exam exemption consideration.
• Neither tardies or absences reset at the quarter.  These are counts for the entire semester.
• When counting tardies or absences, a student with 10 absences or tardies would meet that portion of the criteria.  A student who has 11 absences or tardies does not.
  
  

Limited Waiver Opportunity

Recognizing that life sometimes provides unexpected experiences that are completely outside control of the student, AFHS will provide a very limited, narrow opportunity for a student to request of waiver of up to two absences beyond the 10 allowed for exemptions.  Examples of these events would be hospitalization, death in the family, or other events well outside of the control of the student.  Typical illness, educational experiences, family vacations / travel are examples of what will NOT be considered for waiver.  
 

Students who believe they may be in this rare circumstance should submit this form to Mr. Pittman for review.  Any requests must be submitted by Tuesday, January 13 at 11:59pm.  Late requests will not be accepted.  Note that the form linked above is a forced copy of a google document.  Requests that are not accompanied by documentation beyond the parent will not be considered.  Questions about what would be appropriate documentation can be directed to Mr. Pittman (bpittman@wcpss.net). 

Frequently Asked Questions?

We will populate this section of the site with questions that we anticipate and/or common questions that we receive about exam exemptions.
  

Q:  Why do seniors have different criteria than other grade levels?

A:  The criteria for seniors had already been published prior to this pilot program.  The general thought was that it was not appropriate to change the criteria on seniors after we had already shared it with them.  This will be the case across the county.
  

Q:  If a student is exempt, can they take their exam to improve their grade?

A:  Yes.  If a student is exempt, they may opt to take their exam.  At that point, the exam will only be factored in if it helps the student have a higher grade in the course.  For students who do not met the exemption criteria, the exam can still increase or reduce their final grade.
  

Q:  Can you clarify the "numbers" involved with absences?

A:  When a student has 10 absences in a course, they can be exempt. When they reach greater than 10 absences (11 or higher), they cannot be exempt.

Q:  Do absences & tardies count together somehow in determining exemption status?  For example, do 4 tardies equal an absence?

A:  No.  Tardy counts do not impact attendance counts.
  

Q:  Are there absences that do not count toward determining exemption status (ex - medical, etc.)?

A:  No. All absences count toward exemption status.  School-sponsored field trips do not create an absence.
  

Q:  Do absences restart at the quarter or is 10 absences for the full semester?

A:  10 absences is for the full semester / course.

Q:  If I meet the exemption requirements, can I choose to take my exam to improve my grade?

A:  Yes!  You can take your exam if you are exempt in an effort to improve your grade.  If your exam does not help your grade, it will not harm your grade if you qualify for an exemption.
  

Q:  How will I know if I am exempt?

A:  Teachers will be able to confirm for students their status on Thursday, January 15.
  

Q:  Is there a form or something I need to fill out to "claim" my exemption?

A:  No.

Q:  Do exemptions apply to AP or CTE courses?

A:  Yes, they apply to AP courses.  CTE courses are different in that many have state assessment requirements.  In those classes, students will be required to take the exam or complete the state assessment.