I was a student in one of those demanding programs. While we didn't have NCLB exams we had standardized tests every year. Even for AP students. At the most they

I was a student in one of those demanding programs. While we didn't have NCLB exams we had standardized tests every year. Even for AP students. At the most they were a minor distraction. Our teacher spent 1 day going over the prep material, you'd be surprised how even basic, long division becomes hard once you move up to higher maths, then the next day we took it. For participating and not intentionally hosing the test, as we threatened to do, we had a pizza party (just about the only reward a school can give you) and moved forward with the syllabus. My problems with NCLB exams are wide and varied but the actual test (1-2 days) is the least of it. It's the results that administrators use to pass judgement that I have the most concern.