Do we really need practice ACT testing?

[Lauren Chemello]

So all us juniors know about the ACT tests. Do you all remember that one day, particularly Friday, February 19? That was the day we had the early dismissal and all juniors had to do that practice ACT that was POINTLESS! The American Studies classes were in the Auditorium and I remember the teachers asked everyone who has taken the ACT already to raise their hands. Literally almost everyone in the room raised their hands! What's the point of taking the test if pretty much everyone already took it? Some kids were asking their teachers and counselors if they needed to take it and even they were saying no! Most kids called that Friday "Junior Ditch Day." So many people were missing!

The week before the test, I was talking to one of my teachers about it because I was suppossed to be missing that Friday of school. I was asking her if I needed to make it up and so on and so forth. The test wasn't even the ACT! It was an easier version of it. I ended up going to school that Friday. Worst mistake of my life! I seriously wasted four and a half hours of my life. I was falling asleep! Now, I know the actual ACT is important. If schools are going to make junoirs take practice ACT tests, at least have it be the ACT test! I was so angry that it wasn't even the actual thing. It made me not want to even try because it wasn't a grade and it didn't make a difference to me. When I was taking the test and reading the questions, I felt like taking the Terra Nova tests I had to take at St. Theresa School for many years. They were just as pointless as the practice ACT. Kudos to the teachers who set it up trying to help us enhance our ACT test taking skill but come on, really?! I took the ACT in December. I was comparing the practice one we took and the ACT test in December, the thing is, I couldn't say anything in comparison besides them being the same subjects and very long!

I saw this picture and I started laughing! The baby's facial expressions is exactly how I felt about the practice ACT: confused and upset!!! Do you get it though? Act stupid, stupid practice ACT testing? Right, I know it's funny :)

If we are going to have practice ACT test taking, all I ask is that they are the actual thing because the one we took definitely wasn't! Feel free to comment about anything I have written. Thanks!

[Daniel Rios]

Yea I went to school that day everyone took the practice act test. I mean there might be some people who would like to take a practice test and it might help them get a feel for the ACT, but for me i really dont try on those practice tests because they really dont help me or dont count for anything. The only thing that counts is the real ACT test thats when you should try your best

[ivan horajsky]

Why not? i took the ACT first and got a 19!!! then i got a 21!!!!! now ill get something great because ive been looking over the ACT approved handbook. I think that taking practice ACT tests is helpful because it gives us a view of how the tests really are. They arent so hard...its all the things you've learned over the years!!! so you will have no problem... have no. 2 pencils, and a breakfast. i will take it as much as i have to until i get more than 26, becuase i can do it!

[micheal kiely]

i actually did take it for some reason that is out of my mind right now. maybe i thought that if i tried i could pass the time faster. whatever! idk! but i did see that lots of kids were drawing funny pics on the scantron

[Lisa Browning]

Lauren, you were sitting right in front of me in the auditorium with half of the junior body there. I agree that was a waste of a day of us to come to school. We didn't even have any room to take it because the desks were so small so that's just another reason why it didn't help.

[Jake "Kami" Kaiser]

Yeah the ACT prep thing was really stupid. I think I almost got a whole 3 sentences for the essay. It was a complete joke for anyone who actually went.

[Danielle Elaine]

I was forced to take the test on the half day. My mom said it would be an excellent way to "practice". Yeah right. I didn't even pay attention to most of it and just put in random answers. I didn't even check the answers after it because I knew it was pointless. Also, now that you've told me it was an easier version, I am sincerely angry. Why would you give us a "practice" if it was just an easier version? All it did was make us think that the ACT is easier than it really is. Also, another thing that bothered me was that the tests that they gave us kept on falling apart and looked like they were 100 years old. But yeah, other than those problems I loved it. SARCASM

[Chloe Hipchen]

I took the ACT and i have to say that practice testing is NOTHING like the actual test, it's much easier. It was straight up stupid and I have to say that I'm very glad I did not go to school on the day of the test, it would have been a waste of my day. The prep courses are beneficial but the practice testing should be ended

[Lauren von Schaumburg]

I didn't take it either. I heard from seniors who took it last year that it was pointless and didn't help them at all. I didnt see a point in taking it anyway since I already took an ACT prep course and the real ACT.

[Nigel Rolfe]

I was "sick" that day. So yeah. I think my feelings on this are pretty clear. I'm taking one ACT when the school offers it, and if I'm not happy with that score I'll take another one. Why do I need this if it doesn't count for anything?

[Tyler Watkins]

Yea I didn;t go to school that friday because I thought it was a complete waste. I mean i took it maybe a week or 2 before that date so i really didn't wana take it again. It really was pointless too; i dont see why anyone would want to try on a practice ACT when it really doesn' count at all toward real testing scores. And for that matter, every ACT is different whats the point of practicing on a test that wont count or have similar questions of the next one.