One major difference in the SAT vs. ACT – Scholarship Money

This deserves its own section simply because money is a major consideration for schooling.  Arguably the most renowned college scholarship foundation in the formal test taking world is the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC/NMSQT).  This is a non-profit corporation which conducts a scholarship program based on success on the PSAT test.  However, to advance to the level as a National Merit Finalist, you must confirm your success on the PSAT with a comparable SAT score.  If you don’t take the SAT, you will not be eligible for the National Merit Scholarships.

But that doesn’t mean the ACT is useless.  Many states and independent scholarship groups require an ACT score.  For example, the state of Michigan has allocated money for the Michigan Competitive Scholarship (funding is currently unsettled and the budget has yet to be finalized).  Still, you need a competitive score on the ACT to be eligible.  In the same manner, private scholarship groups may require an ACT score, only because the group has set standards based on ACT scores.

So ideally, you would take both tests, and score exceptionally well on both.  There are many reasons (financial, time, burnout) which would preclude this, but it is the ideal option.