"Proficiency"

I had to take the ninth-grade proficiency test just like Shannon Nichols, the author of this essay.  However, I was lucky enough to pass it the first time I took it.  On the other hand I do know how Shannon feels because I did have a disappointing ACT score.  Just like Shannon, I was an excellent student throughout high school, but I guess when it comes to timed tests that I can't study for I don't do very well.  Initially I felt the same frustration that Nichols described, but I eventually moved on and it hasn't had such an impact on me in the long run.