Girls at Daraja were understandably nervous before their first KCSE exam on October 26, because a student’s KCSE score determines whether she will be eligible to attend university or college, and whether or not she receives government sponsorship (i.e. loan eligibility). Without at least a B+, students are not likely to receive monetary support from the Kenyan government, making it impossible for many Kenyans to afford school costs. Some Daraja girls shed tears as they joined staff early that first exam morning for last-minute words of encouragement. However, two weeks later and after half the exams, most girls, like Monicah, feel nervous “for some

[exams] still but not as much as the first day.” Mostly, the girls’ confidence has increased with the passing of each exam, and now, even though some exams seem challenging, girls are no longer scared.

 

Daraja girls sit for twenty exams in eight different subjects. They are all tested in Biology, Chemistry, English, Swahili, Math, Christian Religious Education (CRE), and Business; in addition, some take Geography and the others take History and Government. Nearly everyone agrees that the practical chemistry exam – one of three total chemistry exams – was the hardest. These “practical” science exams highlight a difference between American SATs and the KCSEs, where students must do actual chemical, biological, or physical experiments as part of the exam. Esther explained that, in the practical chemistry exam, “the procedures were long and following instructions was very hard and time was limited.” In fact, said, Hadijah, even though this exam lasted two hours and fifteen minutes, almost half the class didn’t finish, perhaps because the instructions were so “long and detailed.”

 

At the end of the first exam, most girls emerged from the testing room smiling and appeared relieved. “The tests are fair enough,” explained Monicah, whose easiest test was math because “I love math and I think I do good in math.” Of course, pointed out Emily, a test might seem easy “but we are not sure till the results are out”; still, like Monicah explained, girls “just feel relieved, free” after each exam. “We just feel we’ve done our best and we’re hoping for good results,” says Emily. It helps, too, not to dwell on the completed exam and worry about answers already submitted – explains Hadijah, “I think it’s easy when you’re not discussing it – just forget about it and focus on other things.”

The girls are wise not to spend every moment between exams studying. Rather, explained Emily, “We study for some time and then we rest and then we continue with studies after the rest – we continue alternating with the study, rest, study rest.” This tactic, which girls learned in WISH (Women of Integrity, Strength, and Hope) Class, is important because, says Esther, “You’re able to reflect on what you’ve understood and maybe go back and look over what you didn’t understand.” Daraja girls also unwind between study sessions by dancing, listening to music, taking walks, and doing basic chores around their dorms.