The tension in the air was undeniable. With only two days left before the final exams, Maria and her group knew this was their last chance to test themselves before the real thing. Just as in previous semesters, they had decided to hold a pre-exam—a practice test that would mimic the real one—to evaluate their preparation.
That evening, Maria sat cross-legged on her bed, flipping through her notes one last time before setting up the pre-exam papers. The small study lamp cast a soft glow over the neatly arranged papers on her desk. Her phone buzzed—it was a message from Catherine in their study group chat.
Catherine: Are the papers ready?
Maria: Almost. Just double-checking some questions.
Kate: Ugh, I'm already nervous. Do you HAVE to make it this difficult?
Maria: Yes. Otherwise, what's the point?
Jennifer: I'm going to regret this, aren't I?
Fiona: We all will. But better now than during the actual exam.
Maria smiled at the exchange before taking a deep breath. She knew this was necessary—if they could handle this practice exam, they could handle anything.
---
The Last Pre-Exam Night
At 9:45 PM, all the girls gathered in Emily's room, where they had decided to take the pre-exam. The atmosphere was tense yet determined. The room smelled of coffee and fresh paper, and the only sounds were the rustling of notes and the occasional deep sigh.
Maria stood at the front, holding the exam papers. "Alright, ladies. You know the drill. Two hours. 10 PM to 12 AM. No talking, no distractions. If you finish early, stay seated and review your answers. Got it?"
Everyone nodded, their expressions serious.
Maria distributed the papers. "You may begin."
As soon as she said the words, the room fell into silence. The only sound was the scribbling of pens on paper.
---
The Test in Progress
Catherine furrowed her brows, biting her lip as she tried to recall a theological term. Fiona tapped her pen against her temple, deep in thought. Kate, always the most expressive, let out a frustrated sigh before quickly covering her mouth, remembering the no-talking rule.
Emma glanced at the clock—11:00 PM. Time was flying. She shifted in her seat, rereading a question on Marian devotion.
"Describe the significance of the Rosary in Christian tradition and explain its role in spiritual reflection."
She took a deep breath and started writing.
Maria, who had already finished her own paper, glanced around. She felt proud—her friends had come a long way.
At 11:50 PM, the first person to put her pen down was Jennifer. She leaned back in her chair, stretching. Emily finished next, followed by Fiona.
By 12:00 AM, Maria clapped her hands. "Time's up. Pens down."
There were groans of relief as everyone dropped their pens and rubbed their temples.
Kate exhaled. "That was brutal."
Emily nodded. "But necessary."
Jennifer leaned forward. "Okay, but real talk—how do we feel?"
Catherine sighed. "Honestly? Better than I expected."
Maria smiled. "That's the point. If you could handle this, the real exam will be manageable."
---
Post-Exam Reflections
The girls gathered around Emily's small table, where she had placed snacks and coffee. It was a tradition—after every pre-exam, they would unwind and discuss how they felt about the test.
Kate took a sip of her coffee. "That essay question on Intercessory Prayers caught me off guard."
Fiona groaned. "Right? I knew the answer, but I feel like I didn't explain it well enough."
Emma nodded. "And that one about overcoming spiritual doubts—I almost ran out of time."
Maria reassured them. "That's why we do this. To identify weak areas before the real thing."
Jennifer stretched. "At least we get a break tomorrow night."
Catherine grinned. "Yes! No studying, no late-night sessions. Just sleep."
Fiona sighed happily. "I forgot what that felt like."
Kate raised her cup. "To surviving the pre-exam!"
Everyone clinked their cups together, laughing.
As they wrapped up for the night, there was a sense of calm among them. They had done their best. Now, all that was left was the real challenge ahead.