Sweat and tears — buckets of tears, are compiled into preparation for one measly test. Similar to Regina George, the American College Testing (ACT), ruins lives. This test is a life ruiner.

The purpose of the ACT is to “predict first-year college grades,” according to education.com in “The ACT: Biased, Inaccurate, Coachable, and Misued.” In my opinion, it seems like the purpose of the ACT is solely to add to the already-very-prevalent stress teenagers have.

During any family event, the conversation of the future is inevitable. “What colleges are you thinking about? How are your grades? Have you considered the college I went to? What did you get on your ACT?” Inquisitive relatives remain unaware of the inner pain they are inflicting on us; with each new question comes a corresponding wave of anxiety.  Emma Foulkes, junior, explained, “I love it when my family members ask about my future. It really helps with clearing my head about what I’m supposed to be doing when I grow up.”

I took the ACT on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. I went into the test room knowing nothing and came out knowing less. Sitting there for five straight hours dried every bit of knowledge out of my brain.

Only the spawn of Satan could be capable of creating such a repulsive test. I was surprised I kept it together throughout the hours of testing (emphasis on hours). Seriously, the test administrators, whomever they may be, expect you to sit for over 200 minutes to take a test that judges how “smart” you are?

There are four, or five if you take the writing portion, chances to prove to the test makers and potential colleges that you are competent. First, there is English grammar, then math, then reading, and then finally, science. “Despite the complaints, I find it relaxing as I sit stagnant for hours while I take a test that decides every single aspect of my future,” Matt Heilmann, junior, said.

Multiple people wished me “good luck” before the test. Good luck? Isn’t that what you say to people before a big game? If I need luck to do well on this test, then the odds are not in my favor. “I took the ACT at least three times, plus tutoring during the summer, and none of it helped improve my score. It’s all just a game,” Bella Stechschulte, senior, stated.

Well, if the ACT is just a game, then all is fair in love and standardized testing.