The ACT is one of the main standardized tests that colleges view in a student’s application. The test is made up of four required sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Composite scores are based on the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest whole number. ACT scores range from 1-36, with a United States average of 21. There are six national ACT testing dates, but there are residual ACT test dates that are more often.
Starting in September 2020, the ACT test is adopting some new changes. Students can still retake the test if they are not satisfied with their score, however, this change allows people to retest up to three individual sections instead of having to retake the entire test. There are no limits for the amount of retakes, but they will only be available online. ACT has not yet announced the cost of individual section retests.
This change will reduce anxiety, since students will be able to better focus on preparation for individual sections. This would also benefit students with approved extended time.
“Testing with extended time takes ages to complete and if you are able to retake individual sections it would eliminate that somewhat,” MCPS sophomore Ryleigh Culligan said.
These retakes will could be more representative of students’ efforts, and will be less affected by external circumstances, like sickness. However, many also worry about the advantages for more affluent students. Not only will they be able to retake the test multiple times, but expensive specialized coaches will quickly be able to develop strategies that benefit these students.
“By making a perfect score a much more achievable goal, this policy encourages kids who have the resources to spend dramatically more time and money on the ACT, disadvantaging kids who don’t have those resources,” MCPS sophomore Eleanor Clemans-Cope said.
The ACT changes will also allow superscoring, similar to College Board’s SAT test. A student’s highest scores in each section, including entire and sectional retests, will be averaged for a superscored composite score. Although the superscore is actually up to an individual college’s policies, ACT will now provide colleges with a student’s superscore. In addition, they are highly encouraging colleges to accept superscores.
The ACT website says they have researched superscoring for the past two years to determine whether it is fair. They found that superscores were a more accurate indicator of a student’s first-year college grades than regular test scores. This change also makes sense with individual retakes, since students will most likely get their highest scores in those shorter retests. In contrast, superscoring makes good scores less impressive and may diminish their values on applications.
“By increasing the average score of applicants through individual section retakes, I believe colleges would find it harder to determine which applicants are fit for their program with the diminishing margin,” MCPS sophomore Priya Moorjani said.
The final change is faster test results from online testing. Students could get their composite ACT scores by as soon as two business days after taking the test. Although weekday residual ACT testing has offered online testing since 2015, online testing will now be available on the national ACT testing dates as well.
Faster scores would give students more time to take the test and decide which colleges and scholarships to apply for. States would have to provide fewer residual testing dates. On the other hand, some worry about the technology risks.
“It seems like it’s easy to hack, especially in such a technologically advanced world that we live in,” MCPS senior Nyawa Allieu said.
In addition, this may benefit more affluent counties who have access to faster technology, which could impact things like loading time or glitches. This could also give affluent students an advantage against students who do not have access to online materials in their schools and homes. Paired with the benefits from individual section retakes, many worry about how much more advantaged affluent students will be.
“I believe online testing is harmfully exclusive, as it leaves those without access to the internet or up-to-date electronics at a disadvantage in what is supposed to be ‘standardized’ testing,” Moorjani said.
Graphic by Charles of High School
Article by Victoria Koretsky of High School