Closed Book Exam Novels & Stories

So they were obviously wondering what had changed. Just as I settled, the door swung open and Mr. Sylas swept in, a thick stack of blue booklets tucked under one arm. “Alright, everyone, seats please,” he called out, his voice slicing through the noise. “Test day. You know the drill. No phones, clear your desks. Hopefully you reviewed something other than TikTok in your spare time.” A few scattered laughs and murmurs followed, but he didn’t wait for them to settle. He moved up and down the rows, slapping a booklet onto each desk.

More groans follow. I sigh, flipping open my notebook and picking up my pen. Exams are drawing close, so I’m taking every opportunity to jot down notes on everything so I won’t miss a thing. It’s a strenuous task and so unlike me, but I have to give it my all if I don’t want to fail. Things aren’t looking too good already as it is.

Mister Ray finally gets to me, and he sets everything down on the flat surface of the wall, and goes straight to eating. "You need to eat some more, Luther. The exam is going to last for like four hours. It won't be easy," I bite down my nails as my eyes slowly study the faces of people like me standing around the Sterling Memorial Building, this is where we are going to be taking the exams. A lot of people like me are around, either standing with their parents or teachers. They aren't moving too much, or even revising, because that might cause all the gathered knowledge to disappear.

"I was just kidding. You took that seriously? But think it through. Hotel rooms are really hard to book before the exam. If you cancel now and change your mind later, there might not be a room left." I nodded, firm in my decision to head back. "Take a cab back yourself then. I'll head to my room to study first." I watched her disappear into the elevator, then waved for a cab. I got in the car and said, "Driver, take me to the nearby cybercafe." In my past life, everything had happened too fast, like fireworks bursting and vanishing instantly. How had cheating devices ended up on me? Where had the evidence provided by the culprit come from? Who had wanted to ruin me? And why? The questions sw

Seras is laughing so hard her armor flickers on and off. Lucian just nods like this is the most reasonable thing he’s heard all week. Remy leans over and whispers, loud enough for everyone to hear: Remy: “Coyote Club rule number thirteen: When your friends weaponize mathematics, you take notes and bring snacks.” Kayo bows dramatically. Kayo: “Final exam will be held whenever the universe tries to arrest you. Passing grade: make it cry harder than it did yesterday.” Rowan closes his book. The spire flips right-side-up again.

I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but there was an indescribable sense of eeriness to that little succulent plant. As the first mock exam approached, Sylvia honored her promise. She set aside two precious hours every day to help me review key points and go over practice papers. She explained everything in meticulous detail. I tried desperately to focus, but my eyelids constantly glued themselves shut, no matter how hard I struggled to keep them open. My mind was a blur. Those formulas and theories looked like incomprehensible scribbles to me. They jumped and spun before my eyes until they smeared into a congealed mess.

Jameson and I were placed in the same row, so my seat was a few distance away his. "The exams would be starting now, you'll be taking a computer based one and a hand written one. Remember, no form of malpractices would be tolerated. So if you have anything that might implicate you, drop them now." An official spoke. Two more officials entered, holding a bunch of papers as they shared it to the candidates. I received mine, and quickly scanned it. I smiled seeing the questions, I knew these things. "Beautiful smile. Seems someone knows the answers." I heard a voice beside me, and turned to look. "Darius?"

Right now, I feel like my life couldn’t get any better and I have never been so happy in my entire life. Friday at school was both easy and irritating. With Christmas Break starting tomorrow all the teachers gave their final exams today, most of which were open book, I always hated open book tests. I would rather study and either I know the answer, or I don’t than have to spend my time searching for an answer in a book.

Binge, began passing out the question papers. "This is your final exam," Mr. Binge announced, his voice stern. "If anyone is caught cheating, you will be expelled. All four years of your hard work will be wasted. Be wise." The exam began. When Ethan opened his folder and read the first question, his heart jumped. What is the law of equilibrium? It was the exact same topic Damien had explained to him from the George Bush textbook! Ethan felt a surge of joy as he picked up his pen and started writing.

Matt didn’t move for a second after the knock. “Matt?” Maya’s voice came again, louder this time. Jordy stepped back, his breathing still uneven, his mind scrambling to catch up with everything that had just happened. Matt finally turned toward the door, running a hand through his hair before unlocking it. The door opened. Maya stood there, arms crossed, eyebrows raised. “Why was your door locked?” Matt leaned casually against the frame like nothing had happened. “Privacy exists, you know.”