Students of Calabar Primary and Junior High School, Kingston, rejoice after the final day of the Grade Six Achievement Test yesterday. - photos by Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

After months of intense preparation, students who sat this year's Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) across the length and breadth of Jamaica can rest easy now that the examinations are over.

Nearly 50,000 children sat the two-day GSAT, which guides their placement in secondary schools.

"I feel great because I know that I finally have that burden lifted off my shoulders," Gisailie Stewart, student at Holy Family Primary and Infant School, told The Gleaner yesterday as she stepped out of the examination centre.

Stewart said preparing for GSAT caused her to put aside some of the things she once enjoyed.

"I am going to catch up on the fun that I missed out on and I will be watching more TV," the 11-year-old said with a broad smile.

Stewart, who has her eyes set on a space at Campion College said social studies and science were challenging but she did her best.

Destiny McGlashan was equally elated that the GSAT is over.

"I am so relieved because I had sleepless nights because I was thinking about the consequences if I didn't study," McGlashan told The Gleaner.

And what of the future teacher's plans now that the examinations are over?

"I am going to sleep because I am tired," she said with a giggle. "I am also going to play and continue to do my best."

McGlashan wants to attend Campion College.

challenging but manageable

And Ockeen Hibbert, who is also a student at Holy Family Primary, said he plans to go out more often now that he doesn't have to undergo a rigorous study regime. He said the examination was challenging but manageable.

"I feel good because I will now have less stress," said Royston Johnson of Holy Family.

He, like most students, said some aspects of the examination were challenging.

A pilot or a doctor in the making, Johnson plans to take things easy now that GSAT is out of the way.

"I am going to be relaxing and go to the country and visit my family and do more studying," he told The Gleaner.

Lily Calamathie, Johnson's mother, waited patiently on the school compound for her son. She told The Gleaner she was elated that the GSAT had ended.

"I am feeling good and relieved and hoping for the best," said Calamathie.

She added: "All teachers and parents will now get some rest."

When The Gleaner visited Calabar Primary and Junior High School in Kingston yesterday, students were in an equally jubilant mood.

"Wow!" exclaimed 11-year-old Prince Graham. "I am excited and relieved because I can finally sleep and not study late at nights."

Graham intends to play more games and ride his bicycle.

Similarly, Sharona Simpson said she was pleased that the curtains have finally come down.

"I will be watching more TV and playing more games and hanging out with my friends," she said.

She said the GSAT was manageable.

Students of Holy Family Primary School in Kingston celebrate completing the Grade Six Achievement Test yesterday.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com