Harlem staff keeps advising us to do well on this test because scores have been lower in the past few years, and it reflects poorly on the school. However, could this have been prevented if the school had better prepared its students instead of expecting them to take complete control?

This year, Harlem’s teachers have gone to great lengths to provide free ACT prep classes to future test takers. I have been to all of them and walked out of the classroom a little more confident each time, but I still do not feel completely self-assured. I think that cramming all of this information into my brain all in about three weeks is pushing it; preparations seem like they would be more effective if they were started earlier, such as sophomore year. Junior Lisa M., a student in accelerated classes here at Harlem said, “Being in the upper half of the class, we have the advantage and will probably be fine to take the tests. But for those who struggle, they aren’t as well prepared if teachers don’t go through information on the tests.”

“I took a lot of practice tests before I took the ACT the first time,” said junior Katie K. “If teachers took time to do more practice tests in class, students would be better prepared and they would know what to expect right away.” If part of the curriculum for our classed was devoted to ACT prep, I believe it would help boost test scores, providing more college options for our students.

I feel fairly confident going into testing week, but I also feel like I could have been better prepared. I am not disrespecting the Harlem educators at all, but if the extra effort was put towards ACT prep in the classroom. Not everyone can make time to attend all three classes, math, English and science, if their schedules do not allow it. To truly reflect the Harlem education, I believe that each classroom curriculum should not only teach students the information for the chapter tests, but also so that students are better prepared for the biggest test of their lives.