The ACT is a test for high school students that use to be optional for CPS kids but not anymore it is now a graduation requirement. The test is composed of 4 sections which include:
Math (60 minutes, 60 questions)
Reading (35 minutes, 40 questions)
Science (35 minutes, 40 questions)
English Grammar (45 minutes, 75 questions)
ACT essay (optional but a score booster) (40 minutes, 1 essay)
The ACT's score is out of 36 as a whole which each of the sections also being worth out of 36 points. To get a 36, you do NOT need to get ALL 36 points on EVERY SECTION. you can have 36,36,35,36 ; 36,36,36,34 ; or a 36,36,36,35 and these will all get you a 36 on the test which is the maximum amount of points. The average ACT score in America is 21 so if you get above that you are good. CPS average ACT score is around 18-19 points. getting a 36 is quite a difficult challenge because some tests require a perfect score.
As of now, since the switch was announced not too long ago, CPS has not given a date for when the ACT would be. When more info comes out this will be updated. IF you'd still like to take the SAT because you think it is easier as well as better for colleges to see, then you can sign up to take it at a different testing facility.