Declining ACT Scores: Causes and Implications for College Readiness

Recent reports indicate a significant decline in ACT scores, reaching the lowest levels since 1991. The average composite score on the ACT for the class of 2023 was 19.5 out of 36, a stark contrast to the high of 19.2 reached by the Class of 2017. This decline has raised concerns among educators, students, and parents regarding college readiness and the effectiveness of standardized tests in measuring it. This article explores the underlying causes of this trend and its potential consequences.

The Role of the ACT in College Admissions

The ACT (American College Testing) is a standardized test widely used for college admissions in the United States. It assesses high school students' readiness for college-level coursework in English, math, reading, and science, with an optional writing section. Historically, colleges and universities have used the ACT as a relatively uniform method of assessing a student’s preparedness for college. ACT scores are often used as a factor in admissions decisions and as a qualification for scholarships. Each subject test is scored on a 36-point scale, and the subject scores are averaged to form a composite score.

Through research, ACT established a benchmark score in each subject. Scoring above the benchmark is associated with having a 50% chance of obtaining a B or higher in the entry-level course in the subject area. The ACT also serves as a measure of how well high schools are doing at preparing students academically.

Factors Contributing to Lower ACT Scores

Several factors have contributed to the recent decline in ACT scores, including the adoption of test-optional policies, unequal access to test preparation resources, increased stress and anxiety among students, and disruptions to the education system caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Test-Optional Policies

One of the primary drivers behind the drop in ACT scores is the increasing number of colleges and universities adopting test-optional policies. This move allows students to apply without submitting their ACT or SAT scores, leading some to believe that there was no longer a need to prepare rigorously for these exams. As a result, some high schoolers may not have put in the same effort to achieve high ACT scores, leading to declines in the average scores reported. While there may be a shift away from the emphasis on these standardized tests’ benchmarks for success in the college admissions process, it’s still highly recommended that students prepare and take standardized tests as it can only benefit them if they perform well.

Read also: How to Get Old SAT Scores

Unequal Access to Test Preparation Resources

Another contributing factor is the unequal access to test preparation resources. Students from affluent backgrounds often have access to high-quality test preparation programs, tutoring services, and other resources that can help them improve their ACT scores. However, students from disadvantaged backgrounds often lack the financial resources and support to access these opportunities, putting them at a disadvantage when taking the ACT.

Increased Stress and Anxiety

The pressure to perform well on standardized tests can have a significant impact on students’ mental health. The high-stakes nature of the ACT, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding college admissions, can contribute to increased stress and anxiety among high schoolers. This stress can, in turn, affect their test performance and lead to lower standardized test scores.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the education system, leading to widespread school closures and a shift to online learning for millions of students. These disruptions may have affected students’ ability to prepare effectively for standardized tests like the ACT. For example, students may have had difficulty accessing reliable internet connections or finding a quiet place to study at home. Additionally, the shift to online learning may have made it more difficult for teachers to provide individualized support to students who were struggling.

The swell of students falling behind in ACT scores may foreshadow students’ lack of preparation for the rigor of college courses. College students are increasingly placed in pre-college math courses as they find themselves struggling with basic fractions and exponents.

Discrepancies Between Grades and Test Scores

Researchers have found a mismatch between students’ grades and scores on standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT, and that mismatch appears only to be growing. Average composite ACT scores decreased from 22.51 to 21.90 from 2018 to 2021 while the average high school GPAs test takers reported rose in that period from 3.48 to 3.59, according to new ACT research. Discrepancies also exist when comparing student grades and scores from a wide variety of tests explicitly aligned to K-12 coursework, from state standardized exams to Advanced Placement tests. Students’ grades aren’t always higher than their exam scores. Sometimes they’re lower.

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The findings reinforce a body of research that’s consistently shown grades to be inconsistent and unreliable measures of student performance. Grading methodology varies from teacher to teacher, and grades themselves tend to include a mix of non-academic factors, such as student behavior, class participation, and extra credit. Plus, grade inflation has picked up since the start of the pandemic.

Implications of Lower ACT Scores

The decline in ACT scores has several potential implications for students, colleges, and the education system as a whole.

Impact on College Admissions

While many colleges and universities have adopted test-optional policies, ACT scores still play a role in the admissions process at some institutions. Students with lower ACT scores may have a more difficult time getting into their top-choice colleges, particularly those that are highly selective.

Impact on College Readiness

Lower ACT scores may indicate that students are not as well-prepared for college-level coursework as they once were. This could lead to increased remediation rates and lower graduation rates. As Janet Godwin, chief executive officer for the nonprofit ACT, stated, "The hard truth is that we are not doing enough to ensure that graduates are truly ready for postsecondary success in college and career".

Impact on Educational Equity

The decline in ACT scores could exacerbate existing inequalities in the education system. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to have lower ACT scores due to factors such as unequal access to test preparation resources and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This could make it even more difficult for these students to access higher education.

Addressing the Decline in ACT Scores

Addressing the decline in ACT scores will require a multifaceted approach that involves students, parents, educators, and policymakers.

Improving Access to Test Preparation Resources

One way to address the decline in ACT scores is to improve access to test preparation resources for all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background. This could involve providing free or low-cost test preparation programs, tutoring services, and online resources.

Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Another way to address the decline in ACT scores is to reduce stress and anxiety among students. This could involve providing students with counseling services, teaching them stress-management techniques, and creating a more supportive and less competitive learning environment.

Addressing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

It is also important to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student learning. This could involve providing students with additional academic support, such as tutoring and summer school programs.

Rethinking Grading Practices

Educators should rethink grading practices to ensure that grades are a more accurate and reliable measure of student performance. This could involve providing teachers with training on grading and implementing more consistent grading policies across schools and districts.

The Alabama Experience

In Alabama, the ACT has been taken by all public school students since 2015, when the state began giving the test to all high school juniors. The ACT serves as one of several measures of college and career readiness for students. By giving all students the ACT, the state provides an opportunity for all students, regardless of wealth or family background, to take the test and consider pursuing a college education.

However, Alabama has also experienced a decline in ACT scores in recent years. In 2022, only 12.5% of seniors in the Class of 2022 scored at or above the college-ready benchmark in all four subjects. The subject with the highest college-ready rate was English, in which 40% of students met or exceeded the benchmark. In math, only 16.9% met the college-ready standard.

The drop in scores was prevalent across most Alabama schools and systems. Among demographic subgroups, White and Hispanic students saw steeper drops in performance than Blacks and Asians. As with most standardized tests, score gaps exist between racial, ethnic, and economic groups. On average, Blacks and Hispanics earn lower test scores, and a smaller proportion of test-takers in those groups reach the college-ready benchmark. Students from economically disadvantaged households are also less likely to earn a college-ready score than students who aren’t economically disadvantaged.

While the pandemic’s disruptions are the most immediate and obvious cause for declining scores, the downward trend in performance in Alabama and across the country predates the pandemic. ACT points to the declining percentage of high school students taking four or more years of core classes: four years of English and three or more years of math, social studies, and the natural sciences. Across demographic groups, students who take the full complement of core academic classes perform better on the ACT.

Adapting to Changing Circumstances

ACT is adapting to the changing landscape of college admissions by offering new features such as shorter online tests and more flexibility for students. Starting next spring, ACT said, the national online tests administered on weekends will be shorter and offer more flexibility for students. Beginning with the September 2025 test, all students testing on a Saturday, either online or on paper, will see these new features.

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