Current juniors will be taking the national ACT exam on April 5.  

There are high expectations to be met. According to the Nebraska Department of Education, “Nebraska students outperformed nearly all peer states nationally on the ACT entrance exam” in 2024. Roughly 95% of students take the ACT in Nebraska and last year the average composite score was 19.1. This was higher than most of the surrounding states besides Montana and Wisconsin at 19.5 and 19.4, respectively.  

Central High School’s average ACT score last year was 17.5, with a 0.1 decrease from the previous year. Juniors Charleigh Novak and Elizabeth McGovern both took their pre-ACT as sophomores as required in order to get a gauge of where they stood. They both believe they did average.  

Novak is studying for the ACT by going to an ACT program over the summer as well as using the Blue ACT app on the iPads. She is deciding between 3MT and Aim High Test Prep. 

McGovern plans on taking the ACT early in February as a test run, and following up with OnToCollege test preparation, as well as possibly being tutored through Sylvian Learning. Formerly known as John Baylor Prep’s, the program is an in-person and online preparation for the ACT and SAT tests.  

Novak offered a word of advice: It’s never too early. She wishes she began studying for the test sooner, as April is now creeping up on her.  

 “Start studying as soon as possible and try to not stress about it as that will only make things worse,” Novak said. “Just give it the best you can.” 

 Both of them do not like that the test is a big factor for college acceptance. ACT season is a stressful time, but McGovern emphasized not worrying too much about it, as there are other ways to get into college too.  

 Currently, Central conducted practice tests ACT earlier this month in an attempt to prepare students for the April exam.