Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023 is National Test Day, when Jesuit High School Sacramento students will take various standardized tests as a way to practice for the ACT and SAT. 

Freshmen will be taking the English Diagnostic Test (EDT), which will be composed of multiple parts that test their reading comprehension and writing ability. Samuel Gegax ’25 used the EDT to judge where he stood in his ability to write well.

“[The EDT] was more of a benchmark to see where I was at the period in time that I took the test,” Samuel said. 

Zachariah Michelena ’24 wasn’t surprised by the EDT, and he also sees it as a benchmark.

“It was what you would expect from a standardized test, so if you look into it beforehand you won’t be surprised,” Zachariah said. “The test is more of a placement to see where you would be at.” 

Gordon Kim ’25 believes that freshmen should take the test seriously.

“Try your hardest,” Gordon said. “When I took it Freshman year, so many kids were just [coasting] through the test and getting nothing out of it, so try your hardest to get something out of it and make it a useful tool for you.”

On the other hand, Samuel found the EDT to be relatively stress-free, and he thinks that students shouldn’t worry about it.

“It was very unlike finals as the atmosphere around finals is very tense and strained, but during National Testing Day, the atmosphere was more loose and relaxed,” Sam said. “Don’t lose any sleep over it.”

National Test Day offers freshmen a good chance to test their English skills and determine what they should work on to prepare for important tests in the future.