How important is the test prep score? For many colleges, test prep scores and grades will have a big determining factor in the amount of scholarships received. One point may mean moving to the next scholarship level. Class 101-Lexington students have the guidance of their college advisors to help them determine the test prep game plan that works best for them. 

One student who has closely followed our advice is Laney Ledford, a senior who has been a Class 101-Lexington student since her freshman year. We caught up with her after she received her July ACT scores. 

Tell us about the beginning of test prep for you? 

“After I took my first ACT, I walked out and said I would never take another one because it was so horrible. But at least I had a baseline score. When I came to prep class, I was completely unknowing, and honestly, I figured my score wouldn’t go up at all. But slowly, as I took more tests, I realized that I was getting better scores. The test prep was helping me build skills, it was going quicker, and I was just able to  answer questions more efficiently and get more right. 

What parts of prep class did you find specifically helpful? 

In the last hour , when we’re given the test section to take, that comes immediately after we have reviewed the tips and practiced specific skills. We can then immediately apply that knowledge. We are given an immediate opportunity to see how well a strategy works for us. I was also able to enter my test into the platform and see immediately what I got wrong.  

So tell us about opening up your latest score

I fell on the ground and cried because I started with a 19 on my freshman year practice test, and I was convinced that I wouldn’t ever get higher than a 22, so when I opened my score and saw a 27 and more specifically the 34 in reading when I had started at a 22 and couldn’t even get through 2 passages, that was a even better accomplishment. 

Did you use Ace Reader, our speed reading program?

I did use Ace Reader-very very reluctantly. I did not believe when I was told that it would help because it was a bunch of games. I really didn’t want to do it, but my college advisor kept telling me I should. Then I started to see that every time I took the self-paced test, my reading speed was increasing, and I was consistently getting 100% on my comprehension. So, staying committed to that was a huge part of why my reading score went up so much. 

So, will you take it again?

I WILL take it again! I’ll follow that advice!