Ep 18. It's Only a Test

It's Only a Test is the eighteenth episode of the first season of Beverly Hills 90210, a popular American teen drama television series that follows the lives of a group of wealthy teenagers and their families living in Beverly Hills, California. In this particular episode, the characters are faced with the pressures of preparing for their future as they take their SATs.

The episode opens with the characters discussing their upcoming SATs, a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. Brandon, the show's protagonist, is feeling the pressure to do well on the test after seeing his high-achieving friend Steve successfully score a perfect score on a practice test. Brenda, Brandon's twin sister, is feeling overwhelmed with the amount of pressure that is placed on teenagers to perform well and succeed. Meanwhile, Kelly struggles to focus on the test due to her family's unstable financial situation.

As the day of the test approaches, the group is faced with a series of obstacles that threaten to derail their focus and motivation. Steve's father is pressuring him to ace the SATs in order to secure a scholarship, causing him to become increasingly anxious. Andrea, a studious character who serves as a foil to the wealthy students, is struggling with the pressure to perform well despite feeling out of place in the affluent community. Dylan, a troubled and rebellious character, is offered a tempting opportunity to skip the SATs and go surfing with his father instead.

The episode culminates in the day of the SATs, with the characters sitting in the testing room nervously awaiting the start of the exam. Throughout the test, they are plagued with distractions and doubts, such as Brenda's fear of not being able to finish in time and Kelly's anxiety about her family's financial situation. Brandon, however, finds himself in a unique position when he discovers that his test booklet is missing the last page, leaving him unable to complete the test.

The episode ends with the characters gathering to speculate about their results and the impact that their performance will have on their future. Despite the challenges that they faced leading up to the test, they all express a sense of relief and closure now that it has ended. As they reflect on their experiences, it becomes clear that the SATs were more than just a test of academic ability; they were a test of character and resilience, and a reminder of the pressure that adolescents face to succeed in modern society.

Overall, It's Only a Test is a thought-provoking and relatable episode that highlights the many challenges that young people face as they prepare for their future. By exploring the pressures of academic success and the toll that they can take on the mental health and wellbeing of students, the episode offers a poignant and timely commentary on the state of modern education.