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SAT/ACT Score Comparison

Convert between SAT and ACT scores · See percentiles · Match 28 universities

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ACT Equivalent
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SAT ↔ ACT Concordance Table

Official College Board concordance data. Enter a score on the Calculator tab to highlight your row.

SAT Score ACT Score Percentile Description

College Score Match

Enter a score on the Calculator tab to see your match status for each school. Ranges show the middle 50% of admitted students.

Score ranges represent the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) of enrolled students. Many colleges are test-optional — always verify requirements on each school's website. Data approximate as of 2024–25.

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How to Use This Calculator

01

Enter Your Score

Type your SAT total (400–1600) or ACT composite (1–36). Switch direction with the SAT→ACT / ACT→SAT chips.

02

Review Your Results

See the equivalent score, national percentile, national rank, and college tier classification instantly.

03

Check College Match

Switch to the College Match tab to see your match status (Strong Match / Match / Reach / Long Shot) for 28 universities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Basics Is the SAT or ACT better for me?
Neither test is universally better — most colleges accept both equally. The SAT has two sections (Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and Math), while the ACT has four (English, Math, Reading, Science). Try a practice test of each to see which plays to your strengths. The ACT is often preferred by students with stronger science backgrounds.
Strategy How accurate is the concordance conversion?
The conversion uses official College Board concordance points based on real student data. It is accurate to within ±1 ACT point or ±30 SAT points in most ranges. Extreme scores may vary slightly. Always consider sending both test scores if possible.
Advanced What is a good SAT / ACT score?
The national average SAT score is around 1050–1060 (≈ACT 21). A score above 1200 SAT / 25 ACT is above average nationally. For highly selective schools aim for 1400+ SAT / 31+ ACT. Ivy-level schools see medians of 1500+ SAT / 34+ ACT.
Basics Should I superscore my SAT or ACT?
Superscoring means colleges take the highest section scores across multiple test dates. Most major colleges superscore the SAT. Some also superscore the ACT. Always check your target school's policy — superscoring can boost your effective score by 40–80+ points.
Strategy What does the "College Tier" stat mean?
College Tier is a general classification based on your SAT score: Ivy/Elite (1500+), Highly Selective (1350–1499), Selective (1200–1349), Average/Open (1000–1199). It is a rough guide — actual admissions depend on many factors beyond test scores.
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Formula & Methodology

ACT

ACT ↔ SAT: College Board official concordance (2018)

Based on students who took both tests. Accurate to ±1 ACT point / ±30 SAT points.

Percentile

Percentile = students at or below ÷ total × 100

Uses ACT national norms (2023–24 Profile Report). SAT percentiles derived from concordance rows.

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Key Terms Explained

SAT Composite Score Total score 400–1600, combining EBRW (200–800) and Math (200–800). Administered by the College Board.
ACT Composite Score Average of English, Math, Reading, and Science (each 1–36), rounded to the nearest whole number.
Percentile Rank The percentage of test takers who scored at or below your score. 90th percentile = scored higher than 90% of test takers.
Concordance Table Official conversion table built from students who took both tests. More accurate than algorithmic conversion.
Superscore Combining the highest section scores from multiple test dates into one composite. Many colleges superscore the SAT; fewer superscore the ACT.
Test-Optional Admissions policy where test scores are not required. Submitting a strong score (≥50th percentile for the school) still provides a modest advantage at most test-optional schools.
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Real-World Examples

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SAT 1350 — What Does It Mean?

SAT 1350 → ACT equivalent: ~29 · ~91st percentile nationally

College Tier: Highly Selective. Reach schools: MIT, Stanford (median 1550+). Match: UVA, UC Berkeley. Safety: most state flagships.

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SAT vs. ACT: Which Test Should You Take?

The SAT and ACT are both accepted at virtually all US colleges. Despite different formats, they measure overlapping skills and their scores can be meaningfully compared through concordance tables built from students who took both tests. The key difference is format: the SAT emphasizes evidence-based reasoning with no dedicated science section, while the ACT includes science reasoning and rewards faster processing speed with shorter time-per-question averages.

How Concordance Works and Its Limitations

College Board's official concordance table was built by analyzing test results from students who took both exams. This makes it more reliable than formula-based conversions. However, concordance represents group averages, not individual equivalence. A student who excels at the ACT Science section may genuinely outperform their concordance-predicted SAT score. Use it for general admissions comparison, not precise prediction of the other test's score.

How Colleges Use Test Scores in the Test-Optional Era

Test-optional policies, expanded during COVID-19, remain at hundreds of colleges. Research suggests submitting a strong score still provides a modest admissions advantage at most test-optional schools. General guidance: submit scores at or above the 50th percentile of a school's admitted class; consider not submitting below the 25th percentile. Check each school's Common Data Set (Section C9) for exact percentiles.

Strategy for Deciding Which Test to Prioritize

Take a full-length official practice test of each (College Board offers free SATs; ACT offers official practice materials) and compare your scaled scores using this concordance converter. If your ACT concordance-adjusted score is 2+ SAT points higher, favor the ACT. Also consider test format preference: the ACT's Science section requires rapid data interpretation; the SAT's Reading questions reward careful evidence analysis.