The infamous ACT is changing drastically. After using a format that has lasted 20 years, the ACT is entering a new era.
For those taking the ACT starting April 1, the science and writing portion of the test will be optional. While writing has been optional since 2005, science is a recent addition. If students choose to take the science and writing portions, they will be returned as a separate score and will not contribute to the composite overall score the student scores on the test. The three remaining tests (English, reading, and math) make up the new “Core ACT.”
What does this mean for students, like those in West Bend, who are given the ACT before the changes are made? On Tuesday, all WBHS students will take the test online in school, including both the currently mandatory science and writing portions. ACT says that scores with and without science may be superscored or compared, but colleges will have ultimate say in how they view these scores.
The elimination of a mandatory science portion on the test has sparked controversy among WBHS teachers and students.
“I’m not a fan,” West science teacher Matthew Wanie said. “The science test is a good gauge of how quickly people can pick up a good amount of new information. Data interpretation is a good skill to use in your life. I feel like there are some life skills in there that for some reason they feel aren’t important–but they are.”
On the contrary, East junior Natalie Walter is glad for this change.
“I’m awful at science, so I think the new version would be beneficial for me,” Walter said.
Additionally, the test will have 44 fewer questions than the “classic” version of the ACT, as well as more time for each section of the test. Students will continue to have the choice between paper or digital testing. The ACT believes these changes will make testing more manageable without the testing fatigue that comes with long tests.
In September, all ACTs nationwide will transition to the “Core ACT,” which means that students taking the ACT next year will have these changes implemented when they take the test in school.
(Photos by Rylee Faehling, Current Staff.)
The West Bend Current 
Leave a comment