Usage

The ACT is more widely used in the midwest and southeast United States, while the SAT is more popular in the northeast and the west coast. Usage of the ACT by colleges has risen as a result of various criticisms of the effectiveness and fairness of the SAT. In two states, Colorado and Illinois, the ACT is taken by all high school juniors as a standard to measure schools and the students, and Michigan is in the process of doing the same.[citation needed] This exam is like the regular test except that the NCAA will not accept it; ironically the ACT administers the NCAA athlete eligibility system. In most states however, the ACT is an optional test for college acceptance.