At the beginning of the school year, all sophomore and junior students can take the practice ACT. 

Studies show that taking the practice ACT better prepares students for the test.

In fact, according to ACT.org, a 2018 study “found that schoolwide adoption of the PreACT led to an increase in ACT Composite score of 0.23 score points.” This research reflects how the PreACT can be useful to students.

Mr. Griner, the English Department Chair, pointed out that taking the practice test and getting your results back can sometimes be a confidence boost. 

“Some kids might think that they’re not cut out for college or they might not have a shot at getting a scholarship, (…) doing that practice test, they do really really well, like in the 30’s, and realize that ‘oh, maybe I could do college, maybe I could go to a school, I could get a scholarship,’” Griner said. 

The practice test is also beneficial in the way that it gives students feedback on what they need to work on in order to improve their scores in the future. However, taking the ACT for the first time can throw students off, whether it’s because this is the first time they are taking a test like that and the setup is new to them or just because they’re nervous.

“Doing it at the beginning of the year gives them a preview of the test statistically. Almost every student that takes the ACT does better the second time just because of test familiarity,” Mr. Griner said. “So, if we get that first time out of the way in an environment where the first one doesn’t count, (…) the second time they’re going to get a little better,” Griner said.