I've been hearing different opinions about the difficulty of the ACT lately. Some folks say it's gotten harder over the years, while others disagree. What do you all think? Has the ACT become harder or is it just a matter of perspective?
The perceived difficulty of the ACT may vary from student to student; however, the ACT organization strives to maintain a consistent level of difficulty across test administrations. This is done through a process called "equating," which ensures that scores from different test dates can be fairly compared. As a result, if the ACT were to become objectively harder or easier at any point, the scale by which students' results are judged would also be adjusted accordingly.
Although the overall difficulty of the test remains relatively consistent over time, it's possible that some sections may seem harder or easier depending on individual subject strengths or weaknesses. Furthermore, recent changes in the test format, such as the digitalization of the test, could make the test seem more challenging to some students.
Ultimately, the best way for students to determine the difficulty of the ACT for themselves is through regular practice and familiarizing themselves with the test format and content. By doing so, students can gain a better understanding of the test and gauge their own performance on the ACT relative to their own abilities and the general population.
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