The American College Test (ACT) is a test offered to juniors and seniors in high school five times during the year.

This two hour and thirty minute test is what a majority of colleges look at when accepting students. Not only do you have to have a score of 21 or higher to be accepted into most colleges, you typically need even higher scores to receive scholarship money.

In these tests, the students take the ACT under the same circumstances, answering the same questions and following the same rules. A test-takers score may vary significantly from day-to-day, and critics of standardized testing believe that these tests are not an accurate way to determine intelligence or college-readiness.

Junior Brianna Brin received a score of 34 on her first attempt at the ACT.

“I took the ACT in February,” Brin said. “I don’t think the ACT correctly measures intelligence because intelligence is so much more than being able to regurgitate what we are fed in classrooms.”

Brin said she went to the ACT prep class that was offered, but didn’t study further.

“Intelligence encompasses ones drive, motivation, and work ethic towards bettering themselves mentally,” Brin said. “I don’t believe any test can correctly measure that. I know that I am a very lazy student, but I scored well. It doesn’t measure all of the ways a student can be successful in a collegiate setting.”

Junior Sierra Eichman has taken the ACT twice.

“I plan to take the ACT again because I was unhappy with my score,” Eichman said. “I do not believe that the ACT correctly measures my intelligence because I’m talented in more areas that the ACT tests.”

Eichman said she doesn’t feel the ACT tests in areas such as work ethic, leadership ability, or cooperation with others.

“I’m not a great test-taker,” Eichman said. “I am an even worse timed test-taker. This test is a big stressor in my life because I need to do well in order to get scholarships.”

Senior Isaiah Blackmon said he took the ACT in the spring of 2015.

“I’d say for the most part the ACT accurately measures my intelligence,” Blackmon said. “But, a lot of it has to do with test taking. I didn’t even have time to finish my math portion.”

Blackmon received a 25 on his ACT the first time he took it.

“I think part of the test is based on luck because I’ve heard there are easier forms,” Blackmon said. “Preparation has a lot to do with it as well. If you don’t go in ready it will definitely get the best of you, especially since it’s a timed test.”

Senior Courtney Ellis said she believes the ACT tests your memory, not knowledge.

“I took the ACT in the fall of this year and the fall of last year,” Ellis said. “You shouldn’t stress out about it too much. I know people that have gotten really low scores and still got into good schools.”