More than 250 universities waived the ACT requirement for graduates in the Class of 2022. Select colleges across the country will not require a student’s ACT score for college admissions.

The ACT is a timed test that plays a crucial role in determining if students will go to the college of their dreams, and potential for scholarships.

“Colleges gave last year’s seniors and this year’s seniors the opportunity to be accepted into college without having to have a ACT score,” counselor Dan Harrison said. “Based on that, that has led several colleges to say ‘we don’t need the test score after all.’”

But many students will still plan to take the test, which can still be reviewed as part of the admission requirements. The higher the score, the more scholarship money is available. 

“Definitely study,” senior Ava Arnold said. “I didn’t really study that much, but I think, taking the (prep) class, I think has been helpful.”

Arizona State, Columbia University, and Harvard are just a few examples of colleges whose applications won’t require the ACT.

“A lot of times, there will be like a minimum admissions score like ‘you have to get this on the ACT’ and they waived that during Covid,” said Michelle Forsberg, who teaches one of the ACT prep classes.

Although the writing section of the ACT is optional, several colleges recommend students take it. Writing isn’t considered a priority, and many choose to not even focus on that portion. 

“I used to be a site coordinator in Rose Hill, I can count on one hand in five years the number of kids who took (writing),” Forsberg said.

There will be a free ACT provided to all juniors on March 1.

“You don’t have to pay the fees, there’s really absolutely no reason for you not to take it,” senior Robert Eppler said. “Even if you don’t study at all, you might as well just take it.”

The test consists of four subjects based on high school subjects: English, math, reading and science.

“It’s very important because it decides whether or not you go to college and what type of college you go to,” junior Payton Baker said.