Jamal and his classmates are taking a test today that will determine if they graduate from high school. jamal and his classmates are taking a(n) test.

Jamal and his classmates are taking a high-stakes test.
A high-stake test, as the name itself says, is a very important test which will determine the future of a student and which may have far-reaching consequences in the future. So, if these students fail the test, who knows what may happen with them, but if they pass it, they will likely either start working, or move on to college.