Standardized Testing

Here in Massachusetts we have this thing called MCAS (em-kass). Other states have it too, but it's called something different. It has a subject (math, ELA, physical science...) and they ask you a bunch of questions, you fill in the bubble, they tell you if you suck or not. In high school, it's a big deal. My darling older sister did very well on her MCAS tests throughout high school so she got the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship which means she can go to state college for free. My stepdad (my father's husband) has been telling me to do really well so I can get the same scholarship. I get it, I really do, but it's pressure. Last night I went to youth group at my church and my stepdad said he would drive me to my mom's after. I told him it had to be right after because I had ELA MCAS today. He said that was fine and he would drive me when I got back to his house. I got home at 8:45. He wasn't there. I called... I called... I called... no answer. I called my dad... no answer. I called my stepdad again... "I'm at Staples. I'll be back soon." "I have MCAS so I need to get home and Julia (my sister) needs to be back at the program (where she lives) at 9." "Okay.". He got home at 9:45. Julia and I told him we needed to go. "Julia needs to cut this big pile of boxes." "We need to go!" "After Julia cuts the boxes!". Julia cut the boxes. She got back to the program at 10:20 (an hour and 20 minutes after she was supposed to) and I got to my mom's at 10:50. I'm usually fine with six hours of sleep or sometimes less, but not on MCAS day. I got up this morning feeling exhausted and didn't do as well on the test as I could have if I had gotten more sleep. In conclusion, it is not my fault if my parents have to pay for college.