I woke up to the sounds of gunshots this morning. No, I'm not back in Chicago. No, there is no revolution going on. Thanks to the warning from my host family last night, I knew that today was the release of the senior year test results known as the tawjihi and there would be lots of celebratory gunshots, honking, and fireworks. Imagine the SAT but ten times more intense. High school seniors study all year long (my host brother is currently in summer school to prepare for his tawjihi year) and take eight different subject tests including math, physics, and Arabic (the remaining subjects depend on whether you are going on a science, business, or literature track). These eight subject scores are then added up to create a score out of 100. Your score determines what subjects you can study--a score of 98% and above means you can study medicine and engineering, followed by literature, manufacturing, business, and nursing.
If you fail any one of these subjects, it destroys your average, so most elect to retake the subjects they fail (which then postpones your entry into college by a semester each time your retake it). Once you have your final score, you can then enroll in university by ranking your top 15 subjects. The administration then sorts all the requests according to test results and demand, and that is how you know what your college concentration will be. My host family is currently at the house of a cousin who failed one of the subjects, trying to cheer him up. In the meantime, I'm enjoying my awesome view which is now a front row seat to a city-wide fireworks show. Makes up for missing July 4th!
Ironically, when my sister and I first entered Jordan two years ago during our long trip, we were treated to a similar display of fireworks throughout our drive from the Syrian border to Amman. It's definitely reminiscent of a national holiday!
If you fail any one of these subjects, it destroys your average, so most elect to retake the subjects they fail (which then postpones your entry into college by a semester each time your retake it). Once you have your final score, you can then enroll in university by ranking your top 15 subjects. The administration then sorts all the requests according to test results and demand, and that is how you know what your college concentration will be. My host family is currently at the house of a cousin who failed one of the subjects, trying to cheer him up. In the meantime, I'm enjoying my awesome view which is now a front row seat to a city-wide fireworks show. Makes up for missing July 4th!
[A contingent of neighborhood boys celebrating.]
Ironically, when my sister and I first entered Jordan two years ago during our long trip, we were treated to a similar display of fireworks throughout our drive from the Syrian border to Amman. It's definitely reminiscent of a national holiday!
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