The midterm exam for 8th grade in the first semester typically occurs around the middle of the semester. This timing is consistent across many schools in the United States, as it allows students to demonstrate their understanding of the material covered in the first half of the semester. According to a survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the majority of schools in the U.S. schedule their 8th-grade midterm exams between the 9th and 12th weeks of the school year. This aligns with the general practice of assessing students' knowledge and skills at regular intervals throughout the academic year. The specific date can vary depending on the school district's calendar and the individual school's schedule, but it generally falls within this timeframe to ensure comprehensive coverage of the curriculum.