(RALEIGH) -- A bill approved by the House Education Committee would require 11th graders in North Carolina to take the ACT national college entrance exam. Pretests would also be taken in 8th and 10th grades.

Bill sponsor Rep. Tricia Cotham said the test is used in 40 states.  "The ACT test is a test that focuses on english, math, science and there is a writing component. The ACT test is the only test right now that is aligned with the common core standards," said Cotham.

Cotham said the test is geared toward students who may be going to a 2-year college after high school, or straight into the workforce. The test assesses skills and gives options based on those skills about career options to consider.

A similar bill is being considered by the Senate.