The ACT is a test that all juniors are able to take come April 8th. The scores that you get on the test determine different colleges and scholarships you can get. 

The past couple of weeks I’ve been talking to the counselors about what the ACT actually is, and different strategies I might need to use. But the thing is, I don’t normally study for tests or stress about them too much because I just normally do well on them. The perfect score on the ACT is a 36 even though it’s extremely rare that someone gets that high or even gets that score, it’s a good idea to shoot that high. 

There are different classes and books that other people are using to get the best score they can. Some of the study materials that the counselors have suggested are found on the College and Career webpage on USD394.com, or doing practice tests on IXL. One of the big things I’ve been noticing other juniors do is taking the ACT Prep course. 

This year we’re able to do a digital version of the test and have new graphing calculators. Over the years the way we’re able to take the test has changed, like where we’re able to sit and what we’re able to have around us. I heard from seniors who took the test last year that they were able to sit with whoever they wanted, which is different from the past years where we had to sit in alphabetical order. 

The test itself should take three hours, and we have breaks in between each section. The sections are English, Reading, Science, and Math. When you first start each section they are easy and progressively work up to harder and harder material. And for science or math I am not looking forward to 45 minutes of that. But I think that English and Reading should be easier since it comes more naturally for me.

 But overall I don’t think I’ll do much studying but I’ll most likely end up taking the test again for a better score and chance at higher end scholarships or colleges. Right now though I’m not stressed or worried about the outcome, and talking with some of my friends I’ve found that they also aren’t worried about it. 

I’m going to go into the test just ready to see the outcome but not really heartbroken if I get a lowish score. What I’m aiming for the first time is anything 20 and above then taking the test again and doing better.