ACT (act.org) is the other college entrance exam, and the one that matters most in Kansas for a specific reason.
Why Kansas students should care. The Kansas State Scholar designation, which gates the Kansas State Scholarship, is based on an index combining your ACT composite score and your seventh-semester GPA. If you are pursuing that scholarship, the ACT is not optional.
Fee waivers. ACT offers fee waivers to eligible students, which cover registration for a set number of test dates and often include free test prep resources. Ask your counselor, since waivers are usually distributed through high schools.
Free practice. ACT.org provides free sample questions and practice tests. Your high school may also administer the ACT during a school day at no cost to you.
Timing. Take it first in spring of junior year, which leaves room to retake in fall of senior year before scholarship deadlines. Most students improve on a second attempt.
Sources: ACT, act.org; Kansas Board of Regents Kansas State Scholarship program materials, kansasregents.gov. Verify current fee waiver criteria and test dates with ACT directly.