An account of how standardized testing influenced my high school performance.

Standardized testing has always been a significant aspect of my high school experience. From the moment I entered ninth grade, it seemed like every semester brought a new round of tests that would ultimately determine my academic standing and future opportunities. As a result, my high school performance was greatly influenced by these standardized tests.

Initially, I approached standardized testing with a sense of dread and anxiety. The pressure to perform well loomed over me like a dark cloud, and I often found myself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material that I needed to study. Despite putting in countless hours of preparation, I still struggled to excel on these exams.

One particular instance stands out in my memory. During my sophomore year, I had to take the ACT for the first time. The weeks leading up to the exam were filled with stress and apprehension as I tried to absorb as much information as possible. When test day arrived, I found myself grappling with difficult math problems and dense reading passages. By the end of the exam, I felt mentally drained and unsure of how I had performed.

When the results came back, I was disheartened to discover that my scores were not as high as I had hoped. I felt a sense of disappointment and frustration at my…