Through the nation its inevitable spread is like the black plauge, looming tall and dark over college applicants: the ACT.

The number of graduating seniors taking the ACT rose 6 percent from last year to 1.57 million, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.

The ACT is a three-hour nationally standardized test divided into four subjects: English (including an optional essay section), mathematics, reading and science reasoning. Subject and composite test scores range from 1 to 36.

Rockwood School District’s Board of Education and former superintendent, Craig Larson, made the decision to offer the ACT free of charge to all juniors beginning this year because it is required by many colleges.

“Conversations about the ACT started in 2008, and the plan was very recently approved,” Junior Principal Jon Schultz said. “We want to shine light on the ACT and encourage students to take advantage of an opportunity to move on to higher education.”

Free ACT preparation classes were offered during zero hour Monday, Aug. 23 through Friday, Sept. 10.

Juniors will take the ACT on Wednesday, April 27.

Students will not take the test with the writing portion. The new ACT plan is estimated to cost Rockwood School District $80,000.

“The day juniors take the test will be a full day of school,” Schultz said. “Of course, we will move juniors onto a separate floor and there won’t be bells. We may plan activities for the other classes as well, such as Wacky Olympics for seniors, so there is a substantial disruption to the normal flow.”

However, Schultz said, the test would only extend through the morning, and the afternoon would return to a shortened regular schedule.

Associate Principal Dr. Jennifer Sebold plans to use the scores from the ACT as data to analyze Rockwood and MHS’s educational progress.

“The ACT will act as a longitudinal study to analyze education here,” Dr. Sebold said. “We can then use the information to guide teachers in their curriculum and help students.”

Dr. Sebold said administrators have not set goals for average scores yet, but she is interested to see the response from students and parents.

Ashley Kuykendall, junior, looked at the district administered test favorably.

“There’s no negative impact because we can choose to keep or throw away the score,” Kuykendall said. “Besides, it’s convenient since we’re in school anyway.”