Starting in the spring of 2015, high school students will be able to take the ACT college admissions exam online. This new method will conserve paper and some students believe it will allow for quicker essay writing.
However, the transition is not without setbacks. According to Tamar Lewin of the New York Times, some states such as Indiana, Minnesota and Oklahoma, who have tried online testing for finals and other standardized exams, reported problems and decided to return to traditional paper exams. “The experience…where the system collapsed, should be a huge caution flag about whether the technology is ready for primetime,” commented Robert Shaffaer, public education director of FairTest (nytimes.com).
The new tests will also transcend the traditional multiple choice test format, as ACT test writers intend to utilize the technology to make testing more hands on. In some questions, students may be asked to do interactive work, such as completing short virtual labs or fill-in-the-blank problems. In implementing the new interactive format, test makers hope to hold students’ attention, as well as grade them on a broader range of skills.
Despite the potential conveniences of taking the ACT online, many students still express concerns. Junior Shelby Will commented, “I think the [computer] program would cause a lot of problems, especially being so new. Even though it would be cheaper, it would be a lot more difficult to prevent cheating.”
Acknowledging opposing reactions to the decision, the ACT board will initially allow students to choose between the online or paper exams in order to facilitate the transition.