The ACT board has announced changes to their test that will begin affecting students as early as this Spring. The test makers said the exam, which is mandatory for all Kentucky high school juniors to take, will feature one fewer required section, science.
Amanda Ellis is Vice President of Student Access and Success with the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. She said while the test will be different, it’s nothing to worry about.
“I know that some people voiced some concern initially around not having the science as a required piece, but if you look at what we use, at least in Kentucky, what we use the ACT score for is really looking at scholarship opportunities and placement decisions, class placement decisions. Some of the schools may have used the science score, but for class placement it's usually English, reading, or mathematics scores that are looked at,” said Ellis.
Ellis said the change puts the science section on the same level as the writing section, which has been optional since 2005. She said this change was made to help students avoid potential testing fatigue.
In addition to the change to the science portion of the ACT, the remaining required sections will have fewer questions and shorter passages to read.
“Reading and English will have shorter reading passages and fewer questions to allow more time for the students to actually think about their answers because if you took the ACT, I know I did, sometimes it felt a little bit like rapid fire with the longer passages and really tight timeline. I think they’re trying to be aware of students’ process time and to give them an opportunity to think through their questions a little bit more,” said Ellis.
Ellis said the changes will not affect current college students. The new versions of the test will be rolled out online this spring and on paper next year.
Most Kentucky Universities do not require the ACT for the application process, but they do use the test for determining scholarships.