Juniors Take ACT (Again)

By Amanda Weatherwax ∙ Mar 5, 2025

Oxford, OH--On Wed., Mar. 5, 2025, Talawanda High School juniors have a second go at the ACT test.  The test was cut short last Wednesday due to a fire alarm disrupting the test.   On Wed., Feb. 26, THS test takers were outside for almost 30 minutes while the fire department investigated and turned off the alarm that was accidentally tripped just minutes after the English test began.

According to the ACT Test Terms and Conditions (2024-25), “Deviations from standard testing procedures such as events that cause testing to be canceled or interrupted” and “Disruptions at the test location” can be causes for ending a test session early and test rescheduling.  The decision to cancel and reschedule is solely up to the ACT. 

According to the Ohio Department of Education, all 11th graders enrolled in public schools  must take either the ACT or SAT test.  State law leaves the testing choice up to individual school districts.  The state of Ohio pays for the test,and Talawanda offers it during a school day.  THS gives 9th, 10th, and 12th graders the test day off to ensure that the building remains disruption free during testing.

There are some advantages for students who take the state-mandated college admission test during the school day and at their own high school:

• Students do not have to get up early on a Saturday morning to take the test

• The test is free

• The test is given at a familiar location 

• The test is proctored by familiar faces

• The math department can provide ACT-approved calculators for the math test

In accordance with state law, parents/guardians may opt their child out of the test.  Cole Claybourn of US News and World Reports notes that the ACT and SAT tests are both widely accepted by U.S. universities, and Big Future states that most do not have a test preference.

ACT scores usually take at least 2 weeks to be released.  Statistically, students improve when they retake the test.  The next testing date is Apr. 5, 2025 with a registration deadline of Mar. 16.

Here is a side-by-side breakdown of the ACT and SAT: