ACT testing in OPS is about to begin, and South High juniors Angel Rios, Valerie Meraz, Aaron Moreno Tellez and “Beny” Bautista Sandoval share their thoughts on how they have prepared for the exam. The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized test used in the United States to assess a student’s readiness for college-level coursework in various subjects such as English, reading, science, math and writing.
On average, the test can take as long as three and a half hours to complete. The average score for the ACT is 19.5, according to ACT, with 36 being a perfect score. The ACT will take place in OPS Tuesday, April 8. And while no one is looking forward to sitting for a long exam, students generally feel prepared.
How are you preparing to take the ACT?
Rios: I’m going to study by going over my notes and past class assignments.
Meraz: I’m going to go to act.org where you can do similar questions to prepare for the ACT.
Moreno: I’m going to study for a bit.
Bautista: I’ll be using the act.org website or AI (artificial intelligence) to help me prepare.
How have teachers helped you prepare for the ACT?
Meraz: In my AP English class, we have been preparing for it the entire year by learning strategies for the ACT test and by writing essays.
Moreno: By being given examples of what we were going to need to do on the test and by giving us some general knowledge about the ACT.
Bautista: By being given good websites to use and by giving us sample questions similar to ones that will be on the test.
Have you studied for the ACT? If so, how?
Rios: Not yet, but I’m planning to.
Meraz: I haven’t studied for it outside of my classes because we have already been preparing for it during school.
Moreno: Not yet; I’m planning to study this weekend.
Bautista: I have the book that I use, and I also plan to use the website in order to take some practice tests.
What score are you aiming for in the ACT?
Rios: I’m hoping to get an average score because I’m aiming for the highest I can get.
Meraz: A score of 20 or more because I am hoping for the average at least.
Moreno: A score of 15 because I don’t have high standards for myself, but I’m going to give it my all.
Bautista: Thirty and a half because it’s my favorite number.
How important do you believe the ACT test is?
Rios: I think it’s really important so that colleges can see your score, and it allows you to get a better opportunity to get into colleges.
Meraz: The ACT is important enough to study for.
Moreno: It’s important to others, but the ACT doesn’t really matter to me because I’m not going to let it determine my future.
Bautista: It’s important because it measures what curriculums I can handle, depending on which university I attend.
As a reminder, all juniors should plan to arrive at school on time for the exam on Tuesday, April 8. Anyone arriving after testing has begun will not be allowed to test.
