ACT Stressing Students Out

Students, mainly Juniors, end up in the middle of their school year taking a schoolwide test required by CCSD, the ACT. As all students know, the ACT is a standardized test required by the state." It’s a standardized test that depends if you can get into a specific school. When you take the test, you have to get a particular score to pass; otherwise, you have to retake it, some schools may not offer you a chance to retake it, but that depends on your school. Many students stress over this test because they don’t know how to prepare for it or don’t have enough time to study. "Most students fear the test in many ways, whether from worrying about getting a good score or just passing it in general, but that’s why many fear it."

Many students have said that the ACT puts a lot of pressure and stress on them, Mainly because it’s another test they must deal with and get a decent score on. 

Patricia mae Dela Cruz says, "Do I think students should require the ACT? Depending but yes, because it can challenge one to see how much one knows from previous lesson plans. On top of tests and exams, it's difficult enough as it is to be concerned about it since it necessarily matters for those who wish to get into college.

Hannah Garcia-Gomez says that: “No, I don’t think it should be taken only if you want to go to college instead of being forced into us however, I think it’s pressured onto students and it’s hard to get out of that pressure and once the scores are out it could do a lot of damage to those who put everything into it and got a low score on it. If it isn’t required for one school it shouldn’t be required for all other schools as well. Most students could be missing out on big opportunities and other schools rely on other factors than test-taking and not just the ACT’s.”

Ronnie Paredes says: “I think that it will most likely put more stress on students and especially from teachers giving us schoolwork and homework. We already have a lot to do, so it stresses us out more. With all the schoolwork and homework from school already overwhelming students, a lot of time, we sometimes have to do other things or have jobs to do on top of that. The ACT scores are important because they will show a person how capable they are in every subject. I do think schools should require the ACT because it will help students stay organized and will help students find their weak parts of a subject.”

So overall, most students have different opinions on how they feel about the ACT. It mainly depends on if you are getting into a specific school that requires good ACT scores but even if you're not going to a school that involves ACT scores; it’s still essential to have them just in case you apply to many other schools that require the scores so you’ll have different choices.