Junior year is one of the most stressful years of high school, and the ACT test does not help. The ACT test stands for the American College Testing test. Every junior takes the ACT on the respective day that’s added into the school year by the district. This allows juniors to take the ACT one time without having to pay to take it.

The ACT test consists of 4 sections with an optional section that students can take. The 4 section tests are english, math, reading, and science. The optional section is a written test. 

The english section is 45 minutes long with 75 questions and measures the student’s ability to make decisions to revise and edit short texts and essays in different genres.

The math section is 60 minutes long with 60 questions and measures the mathematical skills a student has typically acquired in courses up to the beginning of grade 12. 

The reading and science sections are 35 minutes long with 40 questions. The reading section measures the student’s ability to read closely, reason logically about texts using evidence, and integrate information from multiple resources and the science section measures the ability to read closely, reason logically about texts using evidence, and integrate information from multiple resources. 

The optional written test is 40 minutes long with 1 prompt that the student responds to and it measures writing skills taught in high school english classes and in entry-level college composition courses.

This day can seem like a lot to a junior who is preparing to take this test that could potentially help them get into a good college or a college of their choice. As long as the junior has the right resources and help put in place, then the junior is fine.

But are there problems with the ACT and can you find ways to make this day a lot less stressful? Yes, there are people constantly talking about how the ACT is unfair and that students should not have their education be affected by a number that a test gives them. And yes, students can find ways to make the ACT less stressful.

Getting advice from other students who have been in the same situation and those that are in the same situation is one of the ways to help with the stress of the ACT.

A few seniors and juniors from Orem High School were asked a handful of questions to help current juniors, incoming juniors, and juniors in the future prepare for this stressful day. The questions were modified depending on which grade the student was in.

When should someone start preparing for the ACT? Aislin Hosford, senior, said, “I think you should start preparing as soon as you can, the more time the better.” Beth Alleman, junior, said, “I would recommend starting at least 6 months in advance.” 

According to a page titled “When Should You Take The ACT?” on the ACT website, “Starting test preparation in sophomore year allows for a longer timeline to build the necessary skills and knowledge required for the ACT.”

Do your teachers help prepare you for the ACT? Lexi Hall, senior, said, “Not a lot of my teachers specifically did things just to prepare us for the ACT, but in a way every lesson is preparing us for it.” Adam Westwood, junior, said, “Not really, most of them haven’t even mentioned it yet.” 

According to a page titled “ACT Online Prep: ACT Test Prep in the Classroom” on the ACT website, “Teachers can assign work in ACT Online Prep for students to complete as part of test prep within a classroom or as learning enhancement and identify areas in which the entire class may need help.”

Do you feel like there are enough resources to help study for it? Indigo Pryor, senior, said, “Yes definitely, though a lot costs money.” Hudson Heath, junior, said, “Yes and no. I think there are available resources but knowledge of them isn’t known enough. There are credible websites as far as studying for the ACT but those haven’t really been introduced to me and probably a lot of other students.” 

According to a page titled “Advanced ACT Test Prep: 10 Tips for Scoring High in ACT Exam” on the Tutela website, “The ACT offers a variety of official prep materials, including the Official ACT Prep Guide, ACT Online Prep, and ACT Academy. These resources provide authentic ACT questions, practice tests, and helpful tips for effective test prep.”

Why are you stressed about the ACT? Lexi Hall, senior, said, “I was stressed because I didn’t really know what to expect. And I didn’t really have time to study because I was so busy with other things.” Beth Alleman, junior, said, “I’m stressed because a good score can really strengthen a college application and I want to do well.”

According to an article titled “ACT testing adds unneeded stress and provides an unfair advantage” on The Pony Express website, “In the weeks prior to taking a test, many students feel anxious about the coming exam, adding additional stress. Additional stress can distract students in class, impacting their grades, and often hurting their mental health as well. One of the best ways to reduce anxiety according to an ACT study, is to prepare for a test by studying a textbook or taking a prep class, both of which take time and money. One reason why kids stress so hard when preparing for the ACT is because it basically decides their future.”

The next question was asked to just the seniors. Do you feel like you were prepared for the ACT when you took it? Lexi Hall said, “No not really.” Aishlinn Hosford said, “I was worried that I wouldn’t get a good score, it can play a part in your future.” Indigo Pryor said, “Yeah, I’ve always kept up with classes, and I studied as much as I wanted to without stressing out.”

Do you care about what score you get? Indigo Pryor, senior, said, “Not necessarily because a lot of colleges don’t care for it anymore” Adam Westwood, junior, said, “Not particularly, I don’t want a super low score but because I’m planning on doing trade school after high school, my act score doesn’t matter a whole lot.”

According to an article titled “ACT Test Scores: Understanding Your Scores” on the ACT website, “Different colleges have varying average ACT score ranges. While some universities may look for students with scores in the 30s, others may consider scores in the mid-20s as competitive. Colleges consider a range of ACT scores when making admissions decisions, giving students some flexibility.”

Is the ACT as big of a deal as others make it out to be? Indigo Pryor, senior, said, “I think it’s overrated, it’s not fair to test someone on their speed of thinking to test their smarts.” Beth Alleman, junior, said, “It depends on how important college is to you and which college you want to go to.”

According to an article titled “The SAT and ACT Are Less Important Than You Might Think” on the Inside Higher Ed website, “For many years, advocates and scholars have fought against the use of standardized tests, in general, and for college admission. One critique is simple: standardized tests aren’t that useful at measuring a student’s potential. Research has repeatedly shown that a student’s high school GPA is a better predictor of college success than standardized test scores such as the SAT or ACT.”

Do you feel like there should be a class that juniors could take that only focuses on ACT prep that has open enrollment and at no cost? Lexi Hall, senior, said, “Yes I think so! I think it would help kids feel more prepared to take the ACT.” Hudson Heath, junior, said, “I think this would be very helpful and yes I think the school should either provide such a class or provide other programs that can give the same benefits.”

According to an article titled “ACT should be an embedded part of curriculum instruction” on The Pony Express website, “They should teach it more in our everyday curriculum so students know what they are going into when taking the ACT. If schools taught the ACT curriculum in class, students would not be as stressed when taking the test and would get better scores on the test, which would have the applying process for colleges easier and less stressful.”

Should there be accommodation tests for students who aren’t at the same skill level as their peers? Lexi Hall, senior, said, “I think so, it’s not fair for them if you don’t.” Hudson Heath, junior, said, “Yes there should be especially for those with 504 plans. I do think this can be hard to do but extra time on the test should always be given to those that have learning difficulties.”

According to an article titled “Accommodations and English Learner Supports for Educators” on the ACT website, “Examinees may be placed into either a National test center or into Special testing, depending on the accommodation approved and test option. If Special testing is required, ACT considers submission of the request as certification that the school will test the student as part of ACT Special Testing during the published special testing window. The school should notify the examinee that Special testing cannot be administered and the examinee will need to work with ACT for an alternate location.”

Do you feel that the ACT is unfair? Aislinn Hosford, senior, said, “I think the weight it holds in comparison to your gpa is unfair, a test is 3 hours, but a gpa is 4 years.” Hudson Heath, junior, said, “I think the weight of importance the ACT is given is out of proportion. There are subjects and things on the test that students will have been learning throughout the whole academic experience but to force someone to recall as much as they can in a timed test seems impractical. If someone is going to have to remember a bunch of things, they shouldn’t have the stress of time weighing down on them. If someone can’t learn or keep up with the rest of the class, it is deemed an issue with them and are most often than not left behind. Being held back or not meeting graduation requirements seems to label kids with laziness, stupidity, and a liability.”  

According to an article titled “ACT testing adds unneeded stress and provides an unfair advantage” on The Pony Express website, “Colleges should find less stressful and more balanced ways to determine a student’s eligibility for admission or scholarships than standardized tests. Colleges have to turn away from standardized testing as a measurement of eligibility, as it adds additional teenage angst, can be unreliable and is unfair to poorer students. Looking more into what students have accomplished, through their GPA and extracurricular activities, is a far more accurate test of one’s abilities.”

Taking the ACT test can come with stress and seem overwhelming, but knowing ways to help overcome this can help lessen the stress of juniors and make them less overwhelmed. 

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Aiko Clegg

Aiko Clegg is a senior at Orem High and loves being involved with the school. She loves telling stories to the people around her whether that’s on or off stage. She also loves to express her thoughts and feelings through dance. She was inspired to start writing articles by her cousin who used to be a writer for The Daily Herald. She hopes that people learn something while reading her articles!

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