A classroom is full of high school juniors and seniors, some with their foreheads resting on their hand in deep focus, others jabbing at their calculators and rushing to fill their answer sheet. They will stay there in that room full of nerves, stress and sweat for three hours and 25 minutes while taking the American College Test.

A free ACT practice exam will be given in the Media Center for all West Shore juniors on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Students may sign up in their English classes.

The exam contains five separate sections, including an optional essay-writing section. It is one of the two national college admissions exams, and one of the only standardized tests high-schoolers likely will take multiple times in order to increase their scores.

“It’s a complete different style of questions,” junior Margarita Rexach said.

According to English teacher Jeanie Griffin, practice is key to a good ACT score.

“I think [the benefits] are individual to the student,” Griffin said. “It will give them practice with timing because timing is a key factor to success on these tests.”

For those unable to attend Saturday’s session, math teacher Jill Whitacre will be offering an ACT practice exam for juniors on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m.