ACT Made "Easy"
On October 9, ACT announced that they would be changing the test to help students achieve an even higher score. Starting September 2020, the ACT will allow you to take the test in sections. Yes. You heard me correctly. Instead of sitting down for four grueling hours, ACT announced that you could take just the section you want to improve. Of course, like anything else, there are stipulations. ACT says you are required to take the test in its entirety at least one time and after that, your test will be superscored. They also are now giving students the option to take the ACT multiple-choice online, and results could be ready in as little as two days.
Although the news may seem great for students struggling to achieve higher scores, many question whether this new method of testing will be fair in the long run. Colleges, scholarships, and even some jobs ask applicants for their ACT score and the new changes may bring problems. With a 36 becoming easier to obtain, the bar will definitely be moved to level the playing field. If everyone shows up at the door with a 36, who do you let in? How will students be chosen if they all have the perfect scholastic profile?
After being questioned about a policy they once were against, Ed Colby, an ACT spokesman said, “They might think, ‘Why do I have to sit through and take all these tests again if I only need to improve my math score? We’re trying to save them time. We’re trying to save them money.” Today, many students invest in personal tutors to boost their score as many points as possible. Typically, they get the full four-section review, but since the rules are changing, the game must also change.
Shortly after developing the concept of standardized testing, Frederick J. Kelly stated, “These tests are too crude to be used and should be abandoned.” Somebody should’ve listened. Sally Rubenstone comments, “I worry that most of the high-achieving kids in my orbit will retest and retest until they can bump subsections of 33 and 34 up to 35 and 36. So standardized testing will become even more of an extracurricular activity than it already is.” Our very own Demia Bland believes the changes will make getting into college and winning scholarships harder. She blatantly states, “I think it’s stupid.” Stella Cummings says, “I’m glad we won’t have to participate because it’s going to raise school’s standards.” Isabella Durgin proclaims that “it will intensify the stressful atmosphere that encircles standardized tests, and students will move further away from actual learning and turn to strategizing how to get a better score.” Period.
With these new changes, I foresee an end of standardized tests, guys. These tests were created to be an equalizer, yet I see nothing equal or fair about this new change. Many colleges are becoming test-optional because they are realizing how useless a high achieving score on a standardized test really is. Colleges need authenticity, and now a 30 or better will not cut it. I believe these changes are unnecessary and instead of trying to find new ways to utilize a standardized test, we need to be finding ways to get rid of it. ✌🏾