Teens across the U.S are waiting anxiously on the ACT website, waiting to open up the link that will decide the rest of their academic journey. It’s that time of the year when the class of 2016 will finalize their college application process. For many students, a lot depends on how they performed on the standardized test.

The debate over the use of standardized test scores is not new. Some might say it might be a biased practice that condemns students and should be forsaken as a critical indicator of student’s future success. Keshun Rhodes, senior, thinks the ACT should not be the deciding factor for college admission.

“I believe that the ACT isn’t necessary because people who do excellent in school have gotten low scores, and individuals who don’t do well in school have a good score,” said Rhodes. “College shouldn’t use ACT as a determining factor because it tells you nothing about the students’ efforts.”

Although many students think it’s necessary now, James Korte, student teacher from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, who graduated from high school in 2007, believes the ACT is required, and it defines him today.

“ACT influenced my college path which impacts where I am today,” said Korte. “It was necessary to take it to be admitted into college, but there are plenty of good students who may do poorly on the test but still have a lot of college potential.”

According to Susan Hill, assistant principal, the ACT not only plays an important role in the schools accreditation, but it also betters students’ academic career.

“Standardized tests measure just one part of students’ capability, even though the vast majority require the ACT, it is not necessary to measure students’ intelligence,” said Hill.