The Mid-Year Exam tests poetry to enhance students' critical thinking and analytical skills. Poetry, with its dense and complex language, requires students to engage deeply with the text, deciphering meanings and drawing connections that are not always immediately apparent. This approach not only assesses their understanding of literary devices but also their ability to interpret and analyze language in a nuanced way.

Data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows that students who are exposed to poetry in their curriculum tend to perform better on reading comprehension tests. For instance, a study published in the "Journal of Literacy Research" found that students who studied poetry had significantly higher scores in reading comprehension compared to those who did not. This is because poetry often requires a higher level of cognitive engagement, as it demands careful attention to language, structure, and meaning. By incorporating poetry into the Mid-Year Exam, educators are encouraging students to develop these critical skills, which are essential for academic success and beyond.