Twenty-one junior and senior students at Vincent Middle/High School took time on Saturday morning to work on improving their college standardized test scores by attending the school’s first mock ACT event on October 18.

Maite Miller, VMHS guidance counselor, and the school’s previous administrators had a vision last spring that students in Vincent should have an opportunity to experience a true ACT setting in order to prepare for the traditional ACT Saturday testing.  With this in mind, Mrs. Miller organized two practice testing dates for October 2014 and March 2015.

Juniors and Seniors interested in taking the mock exam signed up in their English classes and were given a mock ACT admission ticket.  On testing day, they were taken through the entire process of admission, test taking, and dismissal.  The practice tests were scored by the school and given back to the students for their personal use in preparing for the actual test.

“This mock ACT provides our students the opportunity to practice taking this test under real-life conditions in order to improve their ACT score which directly affects their college acceptance and scholarship opportunities,” stated Mrs. Miller.

When asked if the event was beneficial, Junior student Madison Harbin stated, “This gave us, the students, a chance to see what it was like before we took the actual test.”

Current principal, Dr. Michele Edwards was encouraged when Ms. Miller approached her about the idea.

“The event’s purpose is to give our students an opportunity of no surprises on Saturday testing dates in relation to the testing environment,” said Dr. Edwards. “This helps to curb test anxiety which will allow the student to concentrate on the test at hand.  This event would not be possible without the help of teacher and staff volunteers along with the positive student participation,”

The next mock ACT for Vincent High School juniors and seniors will be March 14, 2015.