Your school may be SAT-focused or it may be ACT-focused, and you may choose to go with that flow-that's absolutely fine. Increasingly, students are given a choice between the two tests. We don't recommend officially taking them both to see on which you have a higher score - that's too much testing. It's a good idea to compare your performance on the two, though. You should do a diagnostics test (a practice test, that is, with no studying in advance) for each, to get a benchmark score and to see whether you have a clear advantage taking one over the other. You can take the diagnostic tests at your school if they're offered, or for free through one of the following sources. Alternatively, if you need the structure of an official testing experience, sign up and take one of the two tests officially but take the other on your own. Then compare. Some students do better on one one the other. The ACT, some students find, allows you to show off what you actually know a bit more than the SAT.
For the ACT, free diagnostics are offered by ArborBridge and RevolutionPrep (or any test prep company you like).
For the SAT, you can take a FREE practice diagnostic test through Khan Academy. Khan Academy is only test prep organization that has access to real practice questions written by the College Board (the College Board makes the SAT).
Another plus for Khan Academy is that the College Board links your PSAT scores directly to Khan Academy. Khan Academy (we mentioned that it's FREE, right?) then selects videos for you based on areas in which you've performed less well.
Once you've taken the diagnostics tests, chose the test you feel more comfortable with, and stick with it.
SAT and ACT: The Comparison
Why Take It - Personal preference. No difference from a college's perspective between the two: colleges use the SAT and the ACT results for the same reason-to have data about the applicant.
SAT: Colleges use SAT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.
ACT: Colleges use ACT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.
Test Structure
SAT:
Math
Reading
Writing and Language
Essay (Optional)
ACT:
Math
Reading
English
Science
Essay (Optional)
Length
SAT
3 hours (without essay)
3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay)
ACT
2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay)
3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)
Reading
SAT: 5 reading passages
ACT: 4 reading passages
Science
SAT: None
ACT: 1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your specific science knowledge)
Math
SAT Covers:
Arithmetic
Algebra I & II
Geometry, Trigonometry and Data Analysis
ACT Covers:
Arithmetic
Algebra I & II
Geometry and Trigonometry
Tools
SAT: Some math questions don't allow you to use a calculator.
ACT: You can use a calculator on all math questions.
Essays
SAT: Optional. The essay will test your comprehension of a source text.
ACT: Optional. The essay will test how well you evaluate and analyze complex issues.
How It's Scored
SAT: Scored on a scale of 400–1600
ACT: Scored on a scale of 1–36
Test Registration and Dates 2018-19
ACT: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html
SAT: https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/dates-deadlines