📖 Official ACT concordance
ACT to SAT Score Calculator
Convert an ACT composite into the official SAT total range, then compare English + Reading and Math bridges to see how the sections line up.
| ACT | SAT total | Range | Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 1590 | 1570-1600 | Top |
| 31 | 1400 | 1390-1410 | Strong |
| 26 | 1240 | 1230-1250 | Bridge |
| 21 | 1080 | 1060-1090 | Build |
| SAT target | ACT floor | Range | Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1600 | 36 | 1570-1600 | Ceiling |
| 1400 | 31 | 1390-1410 | Strong |
| 1200 | 24 | 1160-1190 | College |
| 1000 | 19 | 990-1020 | Steady |
| ACT ER sum | SAT ERW | Range | Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 790 | 800 | Top |
| 64 | 700 | 700 | Strong |
| 56 | 640 | 640 | Solid |
| 48 | 590 | 590 | Base |
| ACT Math | SAT Math | Range | Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 800 | 800 | Perfect |
| 31 | 710 | 700 | Strong |
| 26 | 610 | 610 | Solid |
| 21 | 530 | 530 | Build |
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Using official concordance tables, you can convert ACT scores to SAT scores (and vice versa). The College Board together with ACT prepared a study that researched the tie between ACT and SAT scores. Those tables show equivalent percentile ranks so colleges can compare candidates after different tests
The SAT has scores from 400 to 1600 points, while the ACT composite score goes from 1 to 36. Maximum for SAT is 1600, for ACT 36. Reaching them is rare.
How ACT Scores Match SAT Scores
Annually only around 500 from two million participants receive a perfect 1600 on the SAT.
The ACT, Inc. And the College Board issued the official concordance table. It appeared in 2018 because of the new 1600-point system of the SAT, but it counts yet today. Here are some main comparisons from the table: 36 ACT matches 1570, 1600 SAT, 34 ACT to 1490, 1520 SAT, 30 ACT to 1360, 1380 SAT.
26 ACT is approximately as 1210, 1280 SAT, and 20 ACT lines up with around 990 (1020 SAT).
Both tests, ACT and SAT, are accepted equally at all American colleges and universities, including the Ivy Leagues. Offices of admission require a fair way to compare points of students after various tests. Here the concordance helps effectively.
The ACT is made up of four parts: English, reading, math and science; the mean of them gives the composite score. The SAT is otherwise structured. Because ACT measures four sections with reading and English together with math and science, a student with strong math may mark a bit more well on the whole SAT.
ACT also has less discrimination in points and rounds fractions.
Time for the ACT total is 2 hours and 5 minutes for the composite score. Optional sections of science or writing add 40 minutes each. More students end without time on ACT than on SAT.
The ACT is fast, but accuracy matters more than haste.
Concepts tested on both exams are mostly identical. Main differences lie in format and amount of questions per concept. Neither test is easier overall.
They simply differ. Points were equated, so the same proportion of students reach equivalent levels according to the College Board and ACT. If one test more well represents skill, then using only its score stays a good approach.
