Surviving the ACT

Yesterday I had my first experience with standardized testing. I took the ACT for the first time, and let me just say, it was an interesting experience. I was extremely freaked out before hand. I was almost as worried as  I was when  I was waiting to find out if we broke, at St Louis. Thankfully there were a lot of people praying for me, and I was able to get to the test without fainting, or running for the border. It also helped that a friend happened to be taking the test on the same day, so her friendly face was able to keep me calm before the test started.

The test in and of it's self wasn't all that bad. In fact, (I know this'll sound crazy)  I actually kinda enjoyed it. Maybe it was the fact that it was sort of a challenge for me, and I really enjoy challenges; maybe it was my love of puzzles coming through as I tried to figure out the answers; or maybe I was so sleep deprived (I probably hadn't gotten to sleep till 2:00 the night before) that I was just starting to go insane. But what ever the reason, I don't think I'll be dreading as much next time.

I don't know how well I did on the test. There were a significant number of questions is the math and science sections that I just guessed on (B and J were my default letters when I was guessing). Thankfully this was only a practice for me, and whatever the results are, there are more test to take. I think this attitude of mine, and the knowledge that God was always in control,  helped me to detach myself from the test and keep me from having a nervous break down.

So now I've had my first experience with that great mystery known as standardized testing. Honestly, there has got to be a better way to do it. I mean first of all, why do they have to have us get up so early. Some of us don't function very well before 10:00 in the morning. Second, what is up with the time limits? How do they expect you to read, and figure out all those graphs, and still have enough time to answer the 40 questions they throw at you? Plus, they make you do math, in science. Honestly, I don't think it's fair to test you on the same subject twice.

Ah, well. It is what it is, and if I want to get into a good college, I'll have to put up with it. I just hope next time, I get more sleep.

Until I write again, au revoir.

~Nat