Story by Ryan Sparks

To prepare themselves for the ACT test to be taken their junior year, sophomores took the practice ACT during school hours on Thursday, Sept. 18.

The ACT is a test that measures a student’s readiness for college level work. It is usually taken by seniors in high school. The practice ACT is taken by sophomore students to give them a feel for the test before they actually take it. The practice test is always a retired ACT test.

“The practice ACT gives students an idea on how they will perform on the actual ACT,” algebra and trigonometry teacher Patty Bartell said.

The practice ACT measures a wide variety of aptitudes such as grammar use, mathematics, writing ability, reading comprehension, and scientific reasoning. The ACT scores for the Francis Howell School District have been gradually increasing in every one of the aptitudes measured. The schools in the district, including North, are issuing this practice to their students in an effort to get students ready for college and careers.

“I don’t think that they were trying to measure academic growth as much they were trying to make it so the procedure is learned,” sophomore Zac Cary said.

Sophomores were required to take the practice ACT during an otherwise normal school day. The main reason for this is to make sure that the students get the practice and actually take the test.

“I feel like the benefits of the test were that you get to see what it is like to take the real ACT and get you ready for it,” sophomore Ethan Slaughter said. “After half of the test, you lose your focus.”

When a student is finished with the practice ACT, they are informed on what skills they should work on before taking the real ACT. If students utilize this tool as a way to grow and improve their academic strengths and aptitudes, it can be a very effective and efficient way to help students.

“It’s good to have the practice in because it helps people know what is coming,” school parent Cindi Walker said.