According to The Princeton Review, the ACT is an exam that most high school students take to determine their acceptance to college. It tests you in english, math, reading and science, and is usually taken by the student late junior or early senior year.
Most universities with take either the SAT or ACT, but the SAT is usually preferred. In fact universities like NYU, The University of Texas and Arizona State University don't require the ACT for admission. Does that mean that people opt out of it since since it is becoming more of an option?
Eric Acosta, 12, decided not to take the test since the colleges he is applying to didn't require them.
However many have decided that they will end up taking the test.
Counselor Julie Petrus said the ACT is important depending on what state you are in.
Petrus said trends within the company, ACT or College Board, probably put more efforts into growing their programs in the states where they already have a foothold, thus making it a stronger hold.
"I don't think ACT would spend a lot of advertising resources in New York, which is solid SAT. Turning an entire state would be costly, and they are going to get more business where their name is already established," she said.
The preference of the ACT or SAT by state should be weighted by students as they decide on which test to take.
Is this trend new? As a soon-to-be college student myself, I am at a point where I have to start making decisions about what tests I need to take and study for. If you aren't required to take the test, why would you pay the money or spend the time studying for something that doesn't pertain to you?
It's just a waste of time for some already stressed students. Others that do decide to take it probably are going to a college that requires you to take it, especially if you are leaning toward a math or science major. Some universities, like Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee give out scholarships based on your ACT scores.
This encourages students to study for the test and makes them realize that maybe it's more important than it seems. In the end, I think it is up to personal opinion and college requirements if you decide to take the test.
For now, the ACT can be an extremely important factor in college entrance, but who knows, maybe the tables will turn and the ACT will become something that few colleges require.