Every year Lakeview High School hosts a secluded ACT test for their current class of juniors. This year the test is on March 12th for the class of 2025. Lakeview’s staff has high expectations for their students each year. Each subject has its own form of preparation, but in the end students are ready to put their knowledge to the test. This test is not optional for juniors, because every student must at least take the ACT at least once before graduation. Students are able to take the test as many times as they want though, until they reach the score they are aiming for. The main difference between Lakeview’s provided ACT and normal ACT’s are the sign-ups and costs.
Typically, students must register for an ACT on their own and be prepared to pay in order to take the test. Unlike the individual test days, Lakeview not only hosts this one for their students but also funds the necessary payments. As a result, students just have to show up prepared with a good night’s sleep, calculator, and some pencils. The day of the ACT, juniors receive a new schedule because of the time constraints on the test. The ACT normally lasts for around four hours. Instead of arriving at school at the normal time, students now are scheduled to arrive at nine a.m. Once again, this change only applies to the current juniors. This rule was altered, because the school makes sure that every student is fueled and ready to take the test to the best of their ability. Breakfast is provided, and then students are sent to the gym where the test is awaiting them.
I asked Junior Kennedy Bartlett: What do you think of the schedule change and breakfast that comes along with the ACT? Bartlett responded, “I think it is really nice that our school provides breakfast for us, and the later start to the day is going to help a lot of students get a better amount of sleep before the test.”
The class of 2025 has around one hundred and twenty students to one hundred and forty students. As a result, the testing location is split into four sections. Students are expected to find their last name and table. Once everyone is situated, the directions and rules are gone over by the assigned instructors. Each teacher is in charge of a different section to ensure that the test moves at the correct pace, and everyone is keeping their eyes on their own paper. The test is split into four different sections which are math, science, reading, and English. Depending on the subject and amount of questions, the time limit on each topic may vary.
The results of the ACT typically take about two to three weeks to process and be returned to the students emails. When the time comes, students can take this information and do what they deem necessary. For some students, this may be sending their credentials and scores off to colleges in order to try and determine their future. Junior year is a great time to try and get ahead of the game by going on college visits and reaching out to schools about their academics, and your ACT score can be very helpful! Some schools do not require an ACT score, but it is never harmful to have! On the other hand, some students do not intend on going to college, but the ACT is still good preparation for the real world.
I asked Junior Molly Stuart: Do you feel like the ACT helps you prepare for the real world? Stuart responded, “Yes! It provides students with good, quick decision making skills. There are so many high level questions in a short amount of time, so the ACT gives students a life skill that they will definitely use in the future.”
The ACT is not only a test on getting as many correct answers as you can, but also applying other things you have to be able to utilize in life like time management skills, emotional control, and patience. The test can be long, tiring, and stressful but students who stay calm and focused are most likely to receive the highest score. In the end, the ACT has many unforeseen benefits and the students of Lakeview are lucky enough to get to take it in the comfort of their own school!
