Hi
My dd had registered for the July ACT and is keeping the registration. How do parents and students feel about taking the test? How do you feel about having the mask on for the four plus hours?
Thanks
My D21 is registered and is planning to take the test if it is held. She isn’t thrilled about it, but she needs to do it. Masks are a nuisance but she can deal with it.
I do think she will take her practice tests while wearing a mask, just so she’s prepared for the potential distraction of it.
I don’t have concerns about it. My student’s favorite masks are a bit heavy so I plan to send along the thinner disposable mask in case it gets too hot.
I searched the internet on info about the recently held June ACT. Except for a school in Florida there is nothing I coiuld find. I would like to know how were the precautions, anything concerning reported,were there visible anxiety in the atmosphere etc. Anyone heard anything?
From what I heard here in Colorado the kids were fine with the social distancing and the masks. People wear masks all day for work, so it’s not that hard. The key is to take the practice tests with a mask and get used to it and pick a mask that is comfortable. My D prefers a stylish cloth mask for normal going out, but plans to use a surgical mask style for the test because it’s lighter and more comfortable.
The bottom line is there is no way to compare taking a stressful anxiety provoking examination - that has a profound impact on a kid’s school choice - in a Covid 19 hot zone like CA, NY, AZ, etc. - with taking the test in past years. It is apples to oranges. Sure there will be a small segment of kids who will always do really well no matter what the testing environment - one can say that for the test as well. But, the kids taking it the first time, kids on the cusp of a good score but trying to retake, etc. now tossed in a room with dozens of other kids with masks and the like? People freak out just picking up groceries at the store, and they are adults. Not a recipe for success on any level. Irrespective of the polarizing red state / blue state - severe illness vs. it’s just like the flu and a hoax - viewpoints, anyone who says “the kids will be just fine” or “what’s the big deal” is being disingenuous and is not viewing the enormity of the Covid 19 pandemic, one that is now rapidly re-igniting, through a realistic lens. It is definitely not the school flu that is going around. Not to mention, Covid 19 is a no nonsense illness, even as a kid. If infected, Little Jr. is not going to simply sleep off Covid 19 with a little chicken soup and get back to school once the fever is over. They will be toast for a number of weeks - under quarantine alone, if not much longer. Add to that the collateral damage to additional contract infections given to care giving family and friends (how will that upheaval alone impact the start fall ‘20!) and it is certainly not a proposition our family embraces.
The bottom line is there is no way to compare taking a stressful anxiety provoking examination - that has a profound impact on a kid’s school choice - in a Covid 19 hot zone like CA, NY, AZ, etc. - with taking the test in past years. It is apples to oranges. Sure there will be a small segment of kids who will do really well no matter what the testing environment - one can say that for the test as well. But, the kids taking it the first time, kids on the cusp of a good score but trying to retake, etc. now tossed in a room with dozens of other kids with masks and the like. Not a recipe for success on any level.
Irrespective of the polarizing red state / blue state - severe illness vs. it’s just like the flu and a hoax viewpoints - anyone who says “the kids will be just fine” or “what’s the big deal” is being disingenuous and is not viewing the enormity of the Covid 19 pandemic, one that is dramatically re-igniting, through a realistic lens. It is definitely not the school flu that is going around. Not to mention, Covid 19 is a no nonsense illness, even as a kid. If infected, Little Jr. is not going to simply sleep off Covid 19 with a little chicken soup and get back to school once the fever is over. They will be toast for a number of weeks - under quarantine alone, if much longer. Add to that the collateral damage from additional contract infections to family care givers and friends (how will that upheaval alone impact the start fall ‘20 where first semester’s grades will be at a premium!) and it is certainly not a proposition our family embraces.
Got an email that the test is cancelled in the center we chose. My dd has a 34 and trying to apply for Stanford and ivies snd we are concerned
Just received a smilar email for the test center here in Los Angeles, “canceled”.