Data Notice: Figures, rates, and statistics cited in this article are based on the most recent available data at time of writing and may reflect projections or prior-year figures. Always verify current numbers with official sources before making financial, medical, or educational decisions.

SAT/ACT Score Converter

If you’ve taken both the SAT and ACT, you need a reliable way to compare scores across the two exams. The SAT and ACT use different scales (400-1600 vs. 1-36), so direct comparison isn’t intuitive. This converter uses official concordance data to translate your score, helping you decide which result to send to colleges.

Why You Need to Convert Scores

Common situations where conversion is essential:

Deciding which score to submit. Converting lets you make an apples-to-apples comparison.
Evaluating your competitiveness. A school might publish its middle 50% SAT range, but you only have an ACT score.
Superscoring strategy. Understanding how scores translate helps you plan retakes.
Comparing with peers. Conversion gives you context when others reference the other test.

Full Concordance Table

Key conversion points based on officially published concordance research:

SAT Score	ACT Score	Percentile (Approx.)
1600	36	99+
1550	35	99
1500	33	98
1440	31	96
1380	29	92
1310	27	87
1240	25	80
1200	24	76
1120	22	64
1040	20	50
960	18	37
880	16	24
780	14	13
690	12	5

Note: Concordance tables are updated periodically. These figures represent the most recent officially published data at the time of writing.

How the Conversion Works

Concordance tables come from large-scale studies where hundreds of thousands of students take both tests. Researchers analyze paired scores to identify statistical equivalencies. The conversion is empirical, not formula-based, which is why the relationship isn’t perfectly linear: a 100-point SAT increase doesn’t always correspond to the same ACT point increase.

When Converted Scores Differ from Actual Performance

Concordance tables represent averages, but individual students often perform differently on the two tests:

Test format preferences. The ACT is faster-paced and includes science reasoning. The SAT emphasizes evidence-based analysis with more time per question.
Section-level variation. You might score equivalently in math but differ significantly in reading. Composite concordance masks these differences.
Test-day factors. Fatigue, anxiety, and familiarity all affect performance independently from the concordance relationship.

If your converted score and actual score differ by more than 2-3 ACT points (or 60-80 SAT points), your scores reflect genuine format preferences. Submit the test where you performed better.

How Colleges Use Concordance Tables

Virtually all U.S. colleges accept both tests with no preference. Admissions offices use concordance tables to place scores on a common scale:

Neither test disadvantages you — the “SAT school” and “ACT school” distinction is a myth.
Submit whichever score is stronger after conversion. There is no benefit to submitting both unless both are strong.

[TOOL PLACEHOLDER: Interactive SAT/ACT Score Converter]

An interactive score converter will be embedded here. Users will enter their SAT or ACT score and instantly see the equivalent score on the other test, along with the approximate percentile ranking and a recommendation on which score to submit.

Key Takeaways

Use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores on a common scale before deciding which to submit.
Conversion is based on empirical research, not a simple formula, so the relationship between scores isn’t perfectly linear.
Individual performance on the two tests often varies due to format, pacing, and section differences.
Colleges treat SAT and ACT scores as interchangeable when using concordance data.

Next Steps

Concordance data is based on the most recent officially published research and may be updated as new studies are released. This tool is for informational purposes only. Verify all admissions data with the institution directly.