The Act

October 28 of this year was the most recent national ACT testing date. Since Orem High is a local testing center, students between ninth and twelfth grade showed up to take what is arguably the most stressful test of their high school career.

All this stress can be accounted for simply by learning what the acronym stands for: American College Testing. Although the test is primarily used in the middle and western states, the main purpose of it is to have a universal standard for judging academic potential.

According to the official ACT website, “The ACT is the leading college admissions test measuring what you learn in high school to determine your academic readiness for college.” This means that colleges take this test into great consideration when reviewing an applicant’s prospect at their school. ACT scores are also required for most academic scholarship applications.

Naturally, the pressure from colleges, not to mention parents, teachers, etc. coupled with the time restraint is enough to make any student antsy. When asked how they felt about the ACT, both Miriam Ellis and Morgan Palmer said they were, ¨very nervous,¨ before it for the first time.

Fortunately, there is an abundance of resources available for those who would like to take advantage of studying tools. ACT prep books, courses, online class, packets, games, and website are available for purchase. Even OHS offers an ACT prep class for students who want an extra boost.

“By the pool. At your sister’s soccer game. On a long family road trip. If you have the time, we have the study guide,” states Test Preparation|ACT.

Spencer Baldwin, an OHS alumni who took the ACT three times, said in reference to his ACT prep book, “[It’s] very useful! The brand I have gives realistic practice tests and then shows how to answer each question…It also had short refresher lessons in the rules and principles of math and english and such.”

All these guides are provided for the benefit of the students; it is therefore their job to make use of them and practice.

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Carly Weiss

Carly Weiss is a senior this year at Orem High. She has loved to write ever since she was a little girl and is so excited to be fulfilling her childhood dream of being a part of OHS journalism!