Convert your ACT composite score to an equivalent SAT total (400–1600), or your SAT score to an ACT composite, using the official concordance tables published by College Board and ACT below.
Not sure which test to take? Timing, sections, and question style differ more than the score scales alone. Read ACT vs SAT: which test should you take.
These tables map comparable scores across both tests so colleges can evaluate test scores from applicants who took different exams on equal footing. Use the concordance below, then look up score ranges for colleges you care about.
You can convert ACT scores to SAT scores (and vice versa) using the official concordance tables from the College Board and ACT. The concordance maps equivalent percentile ranks so colleges can compare applicants who took different standardized tests. Use the calculator below, then scroll to the full conversion table.
ACT to SAT score calculator
Enter your ACT composite (1–36) or SAT total (400–1600) to see the equivalent score on the other test. Based on the official 2018 concordance.
Convert a score (official 2018 concordance)
Concordance reflects equivalent percentile ranks across test-takers, not a direct conversion. For section-level comparisons (including SAT Math vs ACT Math, or SAT Evidence-Based Reading vs ACT English), section scores concordance is available on the College Board and ACT websites.
ACT to SAT conversion table
Full official concordance: ACT composite score and equivalent SAT total score range (400–1600).
ACT composite
SAT total (400–1600)
36
1570–1600
35
1530–1560
34
1490–1520
33
1450–1480
32
1420–1440
31
1390–1410
30
1360–1380
29
1330–1350
28
1300–1320
27
1260–1290
26
1230–1250
25
1200–1220
24
1160–1190
23
1130–1150
22
1100–1120
21
1060–1090
20
1030–1050
19
990–1020
18
960–980
17
920–950
16
880–910
15
830–870
14
780–820
13
730–770
12
690–720
11
650–680
10
620–640
9
590–610
8
560–580
7
530–550
6
500–520
5
480–490
4
460–470
3
430–450
2
400–420
1
400
SAT and ACT score ranges by college
Look up the middle 50% SAT and ACT score ranges for colleges you're interested in. These ranges reflect enrolled students' submitted scores and help you see how your scores compare.
School score requirements
Look up middle 50% SAT and ACT ranges from Acely's college admissions directory.
Admissions offices treat both tests equally. The official concordance tables from the College Board and ACT allow you to find comparable scores between the two exams. An ACT composite of 30, for example, maps to an SAT total of roughly 1360–1380. Use our ACT to SAT conversion chart for a full side-by-side comparison of test scores across both exams.
Your ACT composite is the average of your four section scores: ACT English, ACT Math, Reading, and Science. Your SAT total is the sum of your two section scores: SAT Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. When using the official concordance tables, the comparison is made at the composite/total level. For section-level comparisons (such as ACT Math vs SAT Math, or ACT English vs SAT Evidence-Based Reading), see the full section scores concordance on the College Board website.
Most high school students begin SAT prep during the spring of their sophomore year or the summer before junior year. Starting early gives you enough time to build skills, take practice tests, and prepare for potential retakes.
Most high school students begin their test prep in the spring of their sophomore year to allow time for potential retakes and also minimize stress in junior and senior year. By starting in the sophomore year, students can have more time in junior year to prepare for AP exams and start college applications before the fall of their senior year.
A "good" score completely depends on your college list and goals. Read more in our SAT Score guide to find out what the right goal score is for you. Acely will create a personalized study plan for you based on your baseline score, goal score and test date, so you can use that to guide you to test day.
This completely depends on your college list and goals. Find out the score you need to get into your target schools or for a scholarship, and that is the score you should shoot for! For help interpreting ACT scores and benchmarks, see our ACT score guide. Acely will create a personalized study plan for you based on your baseline score, goal score and test date, so you can use that to guide you to test day.
