The annual state mandated ACT took place on Tuesday, March 21 for juniors as they prepare for their life after high school. The point of the ACT is to measure their college readiness.

Since Covid-19, the ACT has been viewed differently by colleges, universities and students, but the curriculum-based test, scored out of 36, continues to follow the same structure that it did before the 2020 pandemic. Despite many colleges and universities continuing to be test optional through the spring of 2025, juniors put their heads in the books in order to perform their best during the four hour, compulsory assessment.

“I did some online prep and then ended up taking practice section tests. I used Kaplan Test Prep,” Silas Toppe, junior, said.

Along with independent study options, Homestead provides many ACT resources to all juniors, regardless of what their post-secondary plans may be. These resources include online test prep, after school studying and simply just a good education. Juniors can seek out these resources through junior meetings, their counselor or any staff member in the counseling department.

“Homestead does an excellent job [at preparing juniors] because it is a curriculum-based test and we do an outstanding job at covering the curriculum throughout students’ high school career. We also provide Methodize, an online test prep program for every student to help prepare them for the ACT.” Kris Besler, Counselor, said.

Method Test Prep is an online ACT/SAT preparation program that students at Homestead have access to for free. Many juniors take advantage of this resource in order to perfect their test taking skills before assessment day.

“I did the Methodize that was given to us. I did some of the practice, watched the videos and read the tips they provided,” Livvy Boehlke, junior, said.

Aside from online options, Homestead has also set up “a very comprehensive after school prep program that helps juniors with test taking skills as well as content review.” Besler, said.

Boehlke also attended these after school sessions as part of her ACT preparations.

“They did help, especially science, Mrs. Grace, she was really helpful with telling me how to take the test and not just what would be on it,” Boehlke, said.

When all is said and done, the ACT continues to be a curriculum-based test, measuring students’ comprehension of high school curriculum up through junior year.

Because of this, “best thing [juniors] can do is show up to class and participate as much as you can to the best of your ability starting freshman year because of the amazing curriculum for all students,” Besler, said.

With the four-hour, mandatory, online assessment behind them, juniors now wait for their results and some begin to prepare for their second try if they choose to take it again in hopes to improve their score.