How Does This Effect Students Applying to Colleges and Universities?

The ACT National test results as reported show a decline in ACT test scores. This table is also broken down by states so you can see your state's results

The web site explains that the ACT test goals are to test a student's knowledge of what has been taught in high school and what the probable success in college might be based on those scores.  Look at your state's results for the detail of your state's results.

At a recent high school counselor's meeting in Florida, sponsored by ACT, several reasons were advanced for the lower ACT scores in Florida and nationwide.

1.    The test is being used as an alternative test for the FCAT test in Florida. The FCAT or the equivalent is required to graduate from high school. If a student cannot pass the FCAT they may use the ACT or the SAT. Other states maybe doing the same.
 
2.    The numbers of test takers have increased substantially due to the ACT's use as an alternate to the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), thus a larger population of less proficient students are being tested with the ACT and it is believed their presumed lower test results lowered the overall test results.  

3.    The public education community continues to talk about how the rigor of classes is being increased. We really don't know how much more rigorous their classes are.

4.    We do know that there are other required activities, we have heard of 9 including anti-bullying and aggressive girls (not necessarily the correct titles). A little research will show that anti-bullying has become a major education industry. We also know that these 9 areas take the place of academic learning time.

5.    An unspoken implication might be that the rigor of the test has increased faster than the rigor of the classes. 

If you want to know how your student is doing, go to the web site above and pick your state. You will need their ACT scores. There is an executive study for each state so you don't need to read the entire report. If your student only took the SAT there are some comparative figures from 2005 see concordant figures to compare SAT and the ACT.

It's deja vu. In 1995 the SAT added 100 points to each student's test results. Their reason for this is similar to item 2 above. We cover this situation in greater detail in our book  8 Secrets to College Admissions about the re-centering of the SAT, and how to use these tests to gain admittance to a college or university.

Perhaps it is time to re-center the ACT. If my calculations are reasonably accurate adding about 2.25 points to each test takers scores will help solve this lowering of test results. The 2.25 relates to the 100 points that was added to the SAT scores.

Students will be taking the ACT using the results for college and university admissions. Hopefully, if they are good students their chances will not be prejudiced, however, if your student is one of the test takers with lower scores you may need to look for some special considerations to gain entrance to college or university.