Air slips out of my lungs as I walk out of the testing room. All I can think is, “thank goodness this is over, I’m done!” After taking the ACT, all the juniors had similar thoughts leaving the ACT testing room. Continuing on down the hallway I thought of all the things I will accomplish before the next time I take it and how the next time I take I will for sure score better.

When taking the ACT, it was all new. My mind was overwhelmed with the instructions about the test and what was allowed and what wasn’t. It is proven that when taking the ACT the second time the student’s score is better than the first time because they know what to expect.  According to the official ACT web page, 57% of kids who graduated in 2013 and took the ACT a second time scored better while 22% scored worse, those odds are pretty good.

The questions for the ACT varied slightly but now that I know what types of questions they are I can study more precisely. With sections scored individually, I can focus my attention on my struggle areas and not spend my time on areas that don’t need studying. “I plan on studying a little but not over studying for my second time taking the ACT,” states a junior, Brooke Peters.

Taking the ACT the second time around will be so much less stressful now that I know what to expect and how to study for it. With the ACT having such a big impact on my life it should matter how I prepare for it, but over preparing can stress someone out and cause them not to do as well. With my plans of studying and not freaking out I will be walking out of the room next time cool and collected.