ACT Adds July Test Date

Test Preparation
1

Starting in 2018, students will be able to take the ACT in July. See http://admitted.nacacnet.org/wordpress/index.php/2017/02/22/act-adds-summer-test-date/

I’m a fan of this change but only reluctantly. On one hand, it makes sense to allow students to choose a test date during a month that is commonly less hectic than the school year is. But, on the other hand, I’m a big advocate of the vanishing let-kids-be-kids philosophy, which means that summer is for beach, camp, friends, chilling out and a stress-free, low-key job and not for adding extra weeks to the college-admissions arms race.

The College Board is offering summer testing too, with an August SAT date rolling out this year. So it was inevitable that the ACT folks would jump on the vacation-test bandwagon as well.

How do CC members feel about these changes … are they a welcome opportunity to get testing out of the way during a quiet month or just another way to torpedo the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer?

2

I think it’s great. The spring test dates get complicated due to May AP testing, school finals, trying to add in subject tests etc. And if your kid does sports or ecs that have weekend commitments, it becomes almost impossible to fit everything in and remain sane and get some sleep! A summer test date gives a little more flexibility to the process

3

I think this is a very good development.