SAT to ACT Score Converter 2026 (Official Concordance) | Instant ACT Composite Estimate

What Is the SAT to ACT Score Conversion?

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) and the ACT (American College Testing) are the two major standardized college-entrance examinations accepted by virtually every four-year college and university in the United States. Because the two tests use completely different scoring scales — the SAT ranges from 400 to 1600 while the ACT ranges from 1 to 36 — students, parents, and counselors need a reliable method to compare performance across the two exams. That method is called score concordance.

A concordance is not a simple arithmetic formula. It is the product of a large-scale statistical study in which thousands of students took both the SAT and the ACT within a short time window. Researchers then used equipercentile linking to determine which SAT score corresponds to the same percentile rank as a given ACT score. The most widely recognized concordance comes from the joint 2018 study published by the College Board and ACT, Inc. This converter uses that official data set.

Why You Might Need This Converter

There are several practical scenarios where converting between the SAT and ACT is essential:

• Comparing practice scores: If you have taken both a practice SAT and a practice ACT, converting one to the other lets you see which test suits your strengths.
• Deciding which test to send: Most colleges are test-flexible and accept either score. By converting, you can determine which official score paints you in the best light.
• Meeting scholarship thresholds: Some scholarships specify a minimum SAT or ACT score. Converting lets you confirm you meet the bar.
• Understanding your percentile standing: Because concordance is percentile-based, converting also tells you roughly where you stand among all test-takers nationwide.
• Setting target scores: If a dream school publishes median SAT data and you plan to take the ACT (or vice versa), converting gives you a concrete goal number.

How the SAT and ACT Differ

Before we dive into the conversion methodology, it helps to understand why a simple linear formula cannot bridge the two scales:

Scoring Scales

The SAT produces a total score on a 400–1600 scale, combining two section scores (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, 200–800, and Math, 200–800). The ACT produces a Composite score on a 1–36 scale, which is the average of four section scores (English, Math, Reading, and Science, each 1–36).

Content Differences

The SAT emphasises analytical reasoning, vocabulary in context, and data interpretation. The ACT includes a dedicated Science section that tests scientific reasoning using charts, experiments, and conflicting viewpoints — something the SAT does not have as a standalone section. This structural difference means a student might excel on one test but not the other, making a direct formula unreliable.

Timing and Pacing

The ACT gives slightly less time per question on average, rewarding speed readers and quick decision-makers. The SAT allows more time per question but asks more multi-step problems. These pacing differences contribute to non-linear score relationships.

How to Convert Your SAT Score to an ACT Score — Step by Step

1. Find your total SAT score. This is the number between 400 and 1600 that appears on your official score report or your practice-test result. If you only have section scores, add your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score (200–800) to your Math score (200–800).
2. Enter the score in the calculator above. Type or use the arrows to input your SAT total. Make sure the dropdown reads "SAT → ACT."
3. Click "Convert Score." The tool instantly looks up the official concordance table and displays your estimated ACT Composite equivalent.
4. Interpret the result. The ACT score shown represents the Composite that would place you at approximately the same national percentile as your SAT score. It is an estimate — actual performance on the real ACT may vary by a point or two.
5. Use the result strategically. Compare the converted score against your actual ACT score (if you have one) or against the middle-50% ranges published by your target colleges to decide which test to submit.

The Mathematics Behind the Concordance

Although the converter uses a lookup table rather than a closed-form equation, the underlying statistical technique is worth understanding for any math enthusiast. The process is called equipercentile linking, and it works as follows:

The equation above states that a SAT score \( x \) and an ACT score \( y \) are concordant when the cumulative percentile of \( x \) on the SAT distribution equals the cumulative percentile of \( y \) on the ACT distribution. In plain language: both scores beat the same proportion of test-takers.

Because distributions are discrete (you cannot score 26.3 on the ACT), researchers use a continuity adjustment and interpolation:

Here \( F_{X} \) is the cumulative distribution function (CDF) of SAT scores, and \( F_{Y}^{-1} \) is the inverse CDF (quantile function) of ACT scores. The concordant ACT score \( y \) is the value whose percentile in the ACT distribution matches the percentile of the given SAT score \( x \) in the SAT distribution.

Why Not a Simple Linear Formula?

A tempting approximation is the linear model:

where \( S \) is the SAT total. However, this formula breaks down at both extremes of the score range. Near the top, a 10-point SAT increase might correspond to only 1 ACT point, while in the middle ranges the same 10-point increase corresponds to less than 1 ACT point. The concordance table captures this non-linear mapping with far greater accuracy.

Piecewise Approximation

A better (but still approximate) approach is a piecewise function:

This three-segment model acknowledges that the SAT-to-ACT relationship is steeper (more ACT points per SAT point) in the middle band and flatter at the extremes. Even so, the official lookup table remains the gold standard for accuracy.

Full SAT to ACT Concordance Table (2018 Official Data)

The table below shows every concordance pair from the joint College Board / ACT study. Use it as a quick reference or verify the calculator's output.

Worked Examples

Example 1 — High Scorer

Maria scored 1510 on the SAT. Looking at the table, 1510 falls in the range 1490–1520, which maps to an ACT 34. She can confidently report that her SAT performance is equivalent to a 34 on the ACT.

Example 2 — Mid-Range Scorer

James scored 1180 on the SAT. The range 1160–1190 corresponds to an ACT 24.

Example 3 — Setting a Target

Priya wants to apply to a university whose middle-50% ACT range is 28–32. Converting these to SAT equivalents:

So Priya should aim for an SAT total of roughly 1300 to 1440 to fall within that competitive range.

When to Take the SAT vs. the ACT

Choosing between the SAT and ACT is an important decision. Here are evidence-based guidelines from He Loves Math:

• If you love science: The ACT Science section can boost your score if you are comfortable interpreting graphs and experimental data quickly.
• If you prefer depth over speed: The SAT gives more time per question, suiting students who like to think carefully through multi-step problems.
• If you are a fast reader: The ACT rewards quick reading across all sections, especially English and Reading.
• If you are stronger in math: The SAT Math section counts for 50% of your total, compared to 25% on the ACT. A math whiz can leverage this weighting.
• Take both as practice tests first: The best strategy is to take a full-length timed practice SAT and ACT, convert the scores using this tool, and go with whichever test gives you the higher equivalent score.

Tips for Improving Your Score on Either Test

1. Diagnose your weaknesses first. Take a full practice test, review every wrong answer, and categorise errors by topic (algebra, geometry, grammar, reading comprehension, etc.).
2. Focus on high-yield topics. On the SAT, Heart of Algebra (linear equations) and Passport to Advanced Math (quadratics) together make up roughly 70% of the Math section. Mastering these two domains alone can raise your score substantially.
3. Learn test-specific strategies. For example, on the ACT Science section, you rarely need outside science knowledge — the answers are almost always in the provided data.
4. Simulate real test conditions. Practice with paper, a timer, and no phone. Endurance matters — both tests last three hours or more.
5. Review with the answer key and explanations. Blind practice without review yields minimal improvement. Understanding why the right answer is right matters more than doing many practice sets.

Understanding Test-Optional Policies

Since 2020, a growing number of colleges have adopted test-optional or test-blind admissions policies. However, submitting a strong SAT or ACT score can still strengthen your application — especially if your score is at or above a school's published middle-50% range. Use this converter to determine whether your score is competitive before deciding to submit it.

Research from the Opportunity Insights project at Harvard suggests that standardised test scores remain one of the strongest predictors of college success, alongside high-school GPA. If your converted score places you above a college's median, submitting it is generally advisable.

Key Facts at a Glance

SEO & Keyword Reference: Related Searches

Students commonly search for terms related to SAT-ACT conversion. Below are the queries this page is designed to answer comprehensively:

• SAT to ACT score converter
• SAT to ACT conversion chart 2025
• ACT to SAT score calculator
• SAT ACT concordance table
• What ACT score is equivalent to 1200 SAT?
• 1400 SAT to ACT
• Convert SAT score to ACT score
• SAT vs ACT which is easier
• College Board ACT concordance
• How to compare SAT and ACT scores

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)