Anonymous wrote:Because good test takers just take the SAT. And bad test takers just apply test optional. What is even the point of the ACT any more?

The insecurity seeping from this post is priceless. Based on your question, it seems you didn’t achieve a 1600 or a 36, so what does it matter?

Because good test takers just take the SAT. And bad test takers just apply test optional. What is even the point of the ACT any more?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm thinking it's also due to more kids just taking the test. And a lot of those kids are probably not college ready, but our society has really pushed "college for all" so, many more kids who are not college ready are taking these tests.

Also why is this in the politics forum?

If anything, the population taking the ACT should be more selective, since test-optional is now a thing and fewer people are going to college, anyway.

That would be true if they only compared scores of students who submit scores.

Kids are just taking the test once, if their score is good they intend to study, take again and submit.

If they are not that good they target test optional schools instead of spending a small fortune getting tutoring,

The test scores show lack of care in the test not students abilities.

It compares apples to oranges.

They need to compare scores of kids who intend to submit scores.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:ACT scores do not indicate or have anything to do with how well you will do in college.

The sooner they do away with these things, the better. Sadly, it won't be fast enough for my Junior.

It certainly IS an indicator of how well someone will do academically in college.

No it’s not. It has long been proven it does not indicate ability to do college work

It was designed to find top students with low GPAs to ensure they did not fall through the racks. It’s also good at finding top students in underrepresented areas in the US.

Anonymous wrote:I'm thinking it's also due to more kids just taking the test. And a lot of those kids are probably not college ready, but our society has really pushed "college for all" so, many more kids who are not college ready are taking these tests.

Also why is this in the politics forum?

If anything, the population taking the ACT should be more selective, since test-optional is now a thing and fewer people are going to college, anyway.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm thinking it's also due to more kids just taking the test. And a lot of those kids are probably not college ready, but our society has really pushed "college for all" so, many more kids who are not college ready are taking these tests.

Also why is this in the politics forum?

Hasn't the ACT always been for kids who don't/won't do well on the SAT? That hasn't changed.

The ACT is the default college entrance exam for much of the midwest, and is also mandated for all high school kids in some states.

Anonymous wrote:ACT scores do not indicate or have anything to do with how well you will do in college.

The sooner they do away with these things, the better. Sadly, it won't be fast enough for my Junior.

Tests like the ACT and the SAT have substantial predictive power. Studies on this replicate very well.

Think of it at the extremes - how do you think someone who is entirely illiterate will score on these tests? Then consider how well, on average, entirely illiterate students do in college?

Anonymous wrote:I'm thinking it's also due to more kids just taking the test. And a lot of those kids are probably not college ready, but our society has really pushed "college for all" so, many more kids who are not college ready are taking these tests.

Also why is this in the politics forum?

Hasn't the ACT always been for kids who don't/won't do well on the SAT? That hasn't changed.

I'm thinking it's also due to more kids just taking the test. And a lot of those kids are probably not college ready, but our society has really pushed "college for all" so, many more kids who are not college ready are taking these tests.

Also why is this in the politics forum?

Anonymous wrote:ACT scores do not indicate or have anything to do with how well you will do in college.

The sooner they do away with these things, the better. Sadly, it won't be fast enough for my Junior.

It certainly IS an indicator of how well someone will do academically in college.

Anonymous wrote:My 2023 grad had a high score, but he worked really hard to keep his grades up. The reason the pandemic was tough was because the standards were kept super low, and not all the curriculum was covered, so when kids emerged out of that, suddenly all the classes felt more challenging, particularly math, which builds on itself. So glad my younger kids won't have to live through that.

Yes, but didn't the whole world experience the pandemic?

ACT scores do not indicate or have anything to do with how well you will do in college.

The sooner they do away with these things, the better. Sadly, it won't be fast enough for my Junior.

My 2023 grad had a high score, but he worked really hard to keep his grades up. The reason the pandemic was tough was because the standards were kept super low, and not all the curriculum was covered, so when kids emerged out of that, suddenly all the classes felt more challenging, particularly math, which builds on itself. So glad my younger kids won't have to live through that.

Act Test Scores For Us Students Drop To New 30-Year Low

October 11, 2023, The Associated Press

FILE - An ACT Assessment preparation book is seen, April 1, 2014, in Springfield, Ill. High school students' scores on the ACT college admissions test for 2023 dropped to their lowest in more than three decades, showing a lack of student preparedness for college-level coursework, the nonprofit organization that administers the test said Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

High school students' scores on the ACT college admissions test have dropped to their lowest in more than three decades, showing a lack of student preparedness for college-level coursework, according to the nonprofit organization that administers the test.

Scores have been falling for six consecutive years, but the trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students in the class of 2023 whose scores were reported Wednesday were in their first year of high school when the virus reached the U.S.

“The hard truth is that we are not doing enough to ensure that graduates are truly ready for postsecondary success in college and career,” said Janet Godwin, chief executive officer for the nonprofit ACT.

More: https://hosted.ap.org/article/99f80b26696a92c78e2680873a3df68c/act-test-scores-us-students-drop-new-30-year-low