Convert your SAT score (400-1600) to an equivalent ACT score (1-36) using official concordance tables. Compare your results across both tests.
Students often wonder whether their SAT score is "better" or "worse" than their ACT score. Since the two tests use completely different scales — 400–1600 for the SAT and 1–36 for the ACT — a direct comparison is impossible without a concordance table. This converter bridges that gap.
Using data derived from official College Board and ACT concordance research, this tool maps any SAT total score to its ACT equivalent. Enter your SAT score and instantly see the corresponding ACT composite, making it easy to decide which test to focus on or which score to submit.
Comparing standardized test scores is especially important for students who have taken both exams. If your converted SAT score yields a higher ACT equivalent than your actual ACT, you may want to submit only your SAT to colleges. This strategic decision can meaningfully impact your admissions chances at test-optional and test-flexible institutions.
Students, parents, and educators all gain valuable perspective from precise sat to act data when planning academic paths, managing workloads, or setting realistic performance goals. Return to this calculator each semester or grading period to stay on top of evolving academic targets.
Applying to colleges becomes simpler when you can compare SAT and ACT scores on a common scale. This converter lets you quickly determine which test you performed better on relative to other students. Counselors and parents also use SAT-to-ACT conversion to set realistic score targets and evaluate scholarship eligibility across programs with different test requirements.
ACT Equivalent = concordance(SAT Total) The mapping uses piecewise linear interpolation between official concordance anchor points published by the College Board and ACT.
Result: ACT 29
An SAT score of 1310 converts to an ACT composite of approximately 29. This means the student's SAT performance is equivalent to scoring a 29 on the ACT. If the student also took the ACT and scored 27, the SAT score is the stronger result.
Concordance tables are created by studying large samples of students who take both the SAT and ACT. Researchers use equipercentile linking to find score pairs that correspond to the same percentile rank. This ensures that a converted score reflects equivalent performance on both tests.
Some commonly referenced conversions include: SAT 1060 = ACT 20, SAT 1200 = ACT 25, SAT 1340 = ACT 29, SAT 1480 = ACT 33, and SAT 1570 = ACT 36. These benchmarks help students quickly gauge their standing on either scale.
Beyond scores, consider test format. The SAT emphasizes evidence-based reasoning and has no science section. The ACT includes a dedicated Science section and has more questions per minute, rewarding fast test-takers. Students who dislike time pressure may prefer the SAT, while those who excel in science reasoning may prefer the ACT.
Many scholarships list cutoff scores for one test only. Using this converter, you can check whether your score on the other test meets the equivalent threshold, potentially opening additional funding opportunities.
Official concordance tables are based on research with hundreds of thousands of students who took both tests. The conversion is reliable to within ±1 ACT point for most score ranges.
An SAT score of 1570–1600 is concordant with an ACT composite of 36. Both represent the 99th+ percentile.
An ACT composite of 30 corresponds to an SAT total of approximately 1340–1360. This is around the 90th–93rd percentile.
Many counselors recommend trying both once. Some students perform significantly better on one test due to format and timing differences. Taking both gives you more data and more flexibility.
The vast majority of colleges accept both equally. Neither is preferred by admissions committees. Submit whichever score is stronger after conversion.
Official concordance tables primarily map total scores. Section-level conversions exist but are less commonly used. This tool focuses on total-to-composite conversion.
The College Board periodically updates concordance tables. The latest digital SAT concordance is aligned to current scoring; this tool uses the most recent available data.
That's a strong signal that one test format suits you better. Focus preparation and submissions on the test where you naturally perform higher.