On March 6, 2012, the Junior class of both Camden County High School and CamTech High School will be taking the college admission test known as the, ACT. for free here at school. This is the first time the state has given an opportunity like this to the Junior Class. Guidance Counselor Sharon Wisinger cautions students to use this opportuinty by learning more about the test and getting ready for the test date on Marach 6th. “Students should take this test very seriously and try to make a good score,” Wisigner said.
What is the ACT? It is a test that assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The highest score you can receive on the ACT is a 36, but the average score is a 21.1. It covers the four subjects English, Math, Science and Reading, also writing is optional. There are a total of 215 questions on test; English: 75, Math: 60, Reading: 40, and Science: 40. The test takes about two hours and fifty five minutes without the instructions and breaks. Students who chose to do the writing section will be tested for an additional thirty minutes. It is broken down into timed sections for each subject. According to statistics you do better the more you take it. High school students are able to take this test up to twelve times, once per national test date.
Wisinger stresses the importance of ACT as a test to help you get in to college. “You really want to do well because this test does help you get into a four-year college,” said Wisigner. ACT scores are accepted at any college or university in the United States. You can take this test in any of the 50 states and it is also offered outside the states. The website www.studyisland.com used at Camden High and CamTech High has practice tests for the ACT and www.CNFC.org also has more practice tests. This test is based on what was taught in the high school curriculum, up to eleventh grade.
Most students will take this test once as a junior and again as a senior, but it does cost between 40 and 50 dollars each time. School officials said that this new requirement of the ACT is a great opportunity for North Carolina Juniors. Now, the test is free and students planning to attend college can save money on taking the test the first time. The state has not announced if this will be continued beyond this school year; therefore, students should take this test seriously and try to get a high score because you never know when you’ll get another opportunity like this again. To learn more about ACT testing for all Juniors, go to the Norch Carolina Department of Public Instruction Web site: http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/act/