Convert between SAT and ACT scores · See percentiles · Match 28 universities
Conversion Direction
ACT Equivalent
—
Enter your score above
40080012001600
Percentile Comparison
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Formula & Methodology
ACT ↔ SAT: College Board official concordance (2018)
Based on students who took both tests. Accurate to ±1 ACT point / ±30 SAT points.
Percentile = students at or below ÷ total × 100
Uses ACT national norms (2023–24 Profile Report). SAT percentiles derived from concordance rows.
Key Terms
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.
Real-World Examples
EXAMPLE 1
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.
EXAMPLE 2
ACT 28 — Side-by-Side
ACT 28 → SAT equivalent: ~1310 · ~88th percentile nationally
Strong application material for top 50 nationally ranked universities. Competitive at Michigan, Emory, UNC Chapel Hill.
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.
More Questions Answered
Is the SAT or ACT harder?
Neither is objectively harder — they test different skills. The ACT Science section challenges students who struggle with rapid data interpretation. The SAT Reading section challenges students who find dense evidence-based passages difficult. Practice tests of both reveal where your strengths lie.
What SAT score do you need for top schools?
Top 10 universities (Harvard, MIT, Stanford) have median admitted SAT scores of 1500–1580. Top 25 schools: 1400–1550. Top 50: 1300–1500. These are medians, not cutoffs — a 1550 does not guarantee admission to any school.
How many times should you take the SAT/ACT?
Most college counselors recommend 2–3 attempts. Scores typically improve with each retake up to the 3rd attempt, after which improvement plateaus. Superscoring makes multiple attempts more valuable when colleges count them.
Does superscore help significantly?
Superscoring can meaningfully help when section scores vary across test dates. A student with SAT 700 EBRW / 620 Math (1320) and 660 EBRW / 700 Math (1360) superscores to 1400 at schools that superscore — a 40–80 point improvement. Check each school's policy.
What is the test-optional policy and does it hurt your chances?
Test-optional means scores are not required. Research shows applicants who don't submit scores are generally not disadvantaged if GPA and other components are strong. Very selective schools show slight preference toward applicants who submit strong scores. Submit if your score is at or above the school's 50th percentile for admitted students.
How do I self-study effectively for both tests?
Start with a diagnostic full-length official practice test. Identify weak areas by section. Use official prep materials (Khan Academy for SAT is free and highly effective; ACT's official guide covers all sections). Timed practice of individual sections builds speed. Most effective prep: consistent practice 3–5 days per week for 8–12 weeks.