Iyanna Grant 
On the morning of March 28th, STA students took the ACT. Surprisingly, many did not even really know what the ACT is, or why they were taking it. Spreading general awareness on the ACT might help students gain more clarity on what they’re taking, so let’s dive into the crucial question. What exactly is the ACT?
What is the ACT?
The ACT is a standardized test used to measure college readiness. The test is 2 hours and 55 minutes long, but those who chose to take the writing portion have 3 hours and 55 minutes. There are 4 sections to the test; English, Reading, Math, and Science. The scoring is based off of a 36-point scale. According to Act.org “Around one-tenth of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn a top score of 36.” On average, students score a 20 on the test.
History of the ACT
According to The Princeton Review, the ACT was first started in 1959. It was created to measure how ready students were for college. The ACT’s name wasn’t always so short, “Developed in 1959, the ACT originally stood for “American College Testing.” Over time, they dropped the long name. Now the ACT acronym stands for itself.” (Crimson Education) Over time, its purpose has transformed into more of an entrance exam to get into college. Depending on the score you get, the ACT can help you get a scholarship for college. Even if it does not land you a scholarship, it can definitely be an advancement for getting into a college of your choice.
Why is the ACT important?
The ACT can help you reflect on what you know, and what you need to brush up on. If your GPA is not the best, or taking the SAT is not your strong suit, a good ACT score can provide additional help. Aside from the educational benefits the ACT provides, it also provides a career planning section. This section helps you plan for the future, as well as show colleges what career path you would likely be interested in.
No student likes taking lengthy exams, but hopefully once they find out how much this test can help, the panic will disappear. The benefits of this test definitely outweigh the negatives, so it is important to do your best and start preparing for it as early as you can.
