For many high school students, a single test can feel like it determines their entire future. The ACT, a standardized test used in college admissions, has become a major source of stress for students who feel pressured to earn high scores to secure good college opportunities. While the test is meant to measure academic skills, it can also lead to unnecessary stress, anxiety and make students feel that their future depends on one number. 

Students spend years preparing for college, balancing schoolwork, extracurricular activities and personal responsibilities. On top of that, many feel the need to spend hours studying for the ACT, often sacrificing free time and sleep. The pressure to achieve a high score can make an already stressful high school experience even more overwhelming.

For students hoping to attend competitive universities or earn scholarships, a few points can feel like the difference between reaching their goals and falling short. This pressure can be especially difficult for students who struggle with test anxiety or do not have access to expensive test preparation resources.

Although the ACT is designed to measure college readiness, it does not always reflect a student’s full academic ability. A student may earn strong grades, participate in school activities and demonstrate dedication in the classroom but still struggle to perform under the pressure of a timed test. Factors such as anxiety, learning differences and access to preparation materials can all affect performance.

The growing pressure surrounding the ACT raises an important question, should one test have so much influence over a student’s future? Colleges have increasingly adopted test-optional policies, allowing students to apply without submitting standardized test scores. However, the continued use of ACT scores in admissions and scholarships means many students still feel they cannot afford to ignore the test.

High school should prepare students for their futures, not make them feel that one testing day could define them. Academic achievement matters, but so does creativity, determination, leadership and personal growth. Colleges should consider the whole student rather than placing so much weight on a single exam.

The ACT may be one step toward college, but it should not feel like the deciding factor in a student’s entire future. Students deserve opportunities to demonstrate their abilities without carrying the constant fear that one score could hold them back.

Written by junior Abby Messerges. Edited by staff writers for the Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.