I have classes where the exams are worth 50% or more...it would hardly be fair for some students to not have to complete half of the course.

I do not think it is fair how some schools do not have to write exams. What does that teach anyone if they do not write the exam. The essential idea of taking a class is to write an exam to prove alll your knowledge. I think if this is effective it should be used all throughout school districts and not just in cerain areas.

I think that each class should still have to write exams - but I think that if you have a higher average (ie over 85%) the exam could be worth less of the final mark, than if you have a lower mark. This would benefit those who have a higher mark since it could remain high, and pay off the work completed from the rest of the semester - yet prepare them for university. However, if you had a lower mark, the exam would reflect the work you have completed the rest of the semester, if you were paying attention or weren't the mark would reflect that.
I also understand how if the exam was worth a majority of the mark it would be important to write it (for some of my courses the exam is worth 50% of the mark aswell) - it really depends on the course, but I think that everyone should have to write an exam to prepare them for university - and to enforce the ideas learned in the class.

As much as I detest exams, especially those tricky multiple choice ones, I must say that they are a necessary part of the learning experience. Exams force you to study and truly embed the information you have acquired over the year and put it into practice. You may be able to memorize facts and hand in amazing papers throughout the year, but exams are concrete evidence that you have retained that information for longer than 2 weeks.

I beleive students should not have to write their exams if they have a mark above 85%, because if they have a mark that high, I think it's obvious they understand the material. It would also get students to work hard throughout the year.

I also think students should be exempt from exams if they have an average of 85 or higher.

I guess it depends on how much percentage of the exam mark is to be used in the final mark. In my school, exams are only 30% of the final mark so term work is 70%. This makes it very reasonable to cut-off even 80% so students who maintained this mark all term do not have to take the exam.

While I think it would be nice for students who has an average over 85% not to do exams...it may seem unfair to the other students with lower marks, which could start an arguement...besides, if the student has a mark of 85% or over, then writing an exam wouldn't be that much of a problem.

Exempting students from exams would be quite a step backwards. What happens when one enters university without ever writing an exam, and the exam for a particular course is worth ninety-percent of that course? If anything students with lower marks, who are not planning on attending a post-secondary institution should be exempt from exams. Why would John Doe want to right the Math Provincial Examination if he plans on working on a farm with his dad? Students with high marks and post-secondary endeavors(British Columbia students anyway), Should be greatful that there are standardized tests which require much out of class, student prepartion. Your teacher doesn't know what's going to be on the exam, it's up to you to learn the material. Nothing prepares you for University like a good 'ol final exam.

I really don't think students should be exempted from exams if they have an average over 85%! anyways, how would you give an 85% average to a students if you don't have any exams to grade him on? small tests? i don't think it is representative enough. Even if you have an average overr 85%, it doesn't mean you'll understand every topic of your exam, it is worth getting evaluated in every case.