History of the ACT and AP exams

Does anyone know how the ACT and Advanced Placement (AP) exams came into existence? I'm curious about the history behind these important tests in college admissions.

The history of both the ACT and AP exams is quite fascinating, as they were both developed around the mid-20th century in response to different needs in the American education system.

The ACT (originally standing for American College Testing) was created in 1959 by E. F. Lindquist, a University of Iowa professor and psychometrician. Lindquist had a vision for a testing method that would provide a better measure of students' academic capabilities than the prevailing test at the time, the SAT.

He believed the SAT to be too focused on aptitude and not enough on actual high school curricula, which led to the launch of the ACT. The ACT test was designed to assess students in four areas—English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Natural Sciences—with the intent to gauge their readiness for college based on the knowledge and skills they acquired in high school. The ACT has since evolved and now tests English, Math, Reading, and Science, with an optional Writing section.

The Advanced Placement (AP) program, on the other hand, dates back to the early 1950s. It was developed by the College Board in response to concerns about the transition between high school and college during the post-World War II era. The College Board established the Committee on the Admission of Students with Advanced Standing in 1951, and by 1952, the first AP exams were administered.

The initial aim of the AP program was to provide high school students with an opportunity to take college-level courses, allowing them to demonstrate their mastery of subjects and potentially earn college credit or advanced placement. This was intended to give students a head start on their college education by reducing the need for introductory courses upon entering college. Over the years, the AP program has grown considerably, and now over 30 AP courses across a variety of subjects are offered to millions of students from around the globe.

Both the ACT and AP exams have had a significant impact on the college admissions process, with each test serving a different purpose. The ACT assesses college readiness, while the AP program offers students a chance to pursue advanced coursework and potentially shorten their time spent in college by earning credit or advanced standing.