Definition

A comprehensive test at the end of the semester that theoretically covers everything but practically ignores the first six weeks you all forgot.

Example Usage

The final exam is cumulative, which means I spent all night re-learning logarithms from September.

Origin

Standard practice in American higher education since the 19th century

Fun Fact

The average student's retention curve suggests that final exams reward students who crammed yesterday over students who learned the material

Source: Assessment terminology

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