The three letters that everyone dreads, ACT.

Do you ever just want to take standardized testing out, and never want to see it again? Well, that’s what a lot of Patriots wish would happen. 

Every junior is forced to take the ACT during their school year. But, since the pandemic, many schools have not been taking the ACT as a key factor for college admission. According to Mizzou’s website they state that “Fall 2022 semester has the option of being reviewed with or without test scores.” 

Many students, including junior Tara Raifet, think that the ACT is not a fair measure of how you will do in college.

“No, because I don’t think it accurately depicts the intelligences and doesn’t really show, and just the time management skills. If they had more time I could have done better, and I think it’s just focused on how well you can time yourself,” Raifet said. 

On the other hand, Junior Ashok Kothamasu thinks that the ACT is unfair in a different way. 

“These tests are socioeconomic barriers for individuals. Testprep books, tutors, examinations all cost money. A lot of individuals can’t afford such materials, so they are at a disadvantage. In sum, this test can be unfair.” Kothamasu states. 

The ACT is a test that measures your intelligence, which colleges look at in order to get you into a specific college. 

The ACT can be shown in two different perspectives. Most students think that the ACT is a bad way to test students eligibility for college because of the time limit, but on the other hand Kothamasu gives the perspective of the cost. 

Freshman Sophia Cramer has not taken the actual ACT yet, but has a strong opinion on whether it should be kept.

“I think they should modify it because of the time limit, and especially because of the time limit, and it really doesn’t really show your true knowledge,” she said. 

Not just her, but many students think that the ACT is a way that colleges look at to test how well they can take a timed test, and not their true skills and knowledge.

History teacher Rachel Song, a current history teacher, gives her opinion on why  history knowledge is not tested on the ACT. 

“I think it’s kind of indicative of standardized tests in general. They often don’t feature history questions specifically. History is often left out of standardized tests which makes it less prioritized,” she said. 

Many students and teachers have mixed feelings about whether Parkway has helped students prepare for the ACT. 

Raifet believes that teachers should focus more on the test. 

“Yes, I know they have programs, but every teacher could go over it briefly and could really help more,” she said. 

In addition to this, Kothamasu thinks that the ACT should have a short time limit. Which he thinks would help students with the test.

“Yes, Parkway South could help students out more with this test. Individuals do much better if they at least know what the sections are and the timing for each section,” he said. 

Rather than continuing to use these tests in order to make a college decision, students think that colleges should continue to only use other factors to determine whether or not a student gets admitted and not focus on one test score.  

“I would say to anyone who is feeling angry or annoyed from this test that your feelings are valid. Many schools are transitioning to an acceptance model that doesn’t emphasize your score but you as individuals. Recently, all of the University of California schools became test-blind. They don’t accept SAT or ACT scores. The future might be more equitable,” Kothamasu said.