The 2026 Earth Science Mid-term Exam for 8th-grade students in the United States is typically scheduled during the second semester of the school year. This usually falls between October and December, with the exact date varying by school district and state. The reason for this timing is rooted in the educational calendar and the curriculum structure. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the majority of states follow a traditional academic calendar with two semesters, and Earth Science is often taught as a semester-long course. This scheduling aligns with the need for students to have a comprehensive understanding of the subject before the end of the semester. Additionally, the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) recommends that Earth Science be introduced in middle school to foster an interest in the field and prepare students for more advanced studies in high school and beyond.