SAT to ACT Score Conversion: Official Concordance Tables and What They Mean for Your Application

SAT to ACT Score Conversion: Official Concordance Tables and What They Mean for Your Application

If you are deciding between the SAT and ACT — or if you have taken both and need to figure out which score to submit — you need a reliable way to compare scores across the two tests. The College Board and ACT Inc. jointly publish official concordance tables that provide statistically validated score equivalencies. These tables are what admissions offices use when comparing SAT and ACT scores from different applicants.

This guide provides the complete concordance tables, explains how admissions offices actually use them, and helps you determine which test produces your stronger score. For a detailed format comparison, see our SAT vs ACT guide. For SAT scoring details, see our SAT Score Chart guide.

Official SAT to ACT Concordance Table

These concordance values are based on research jointly conducted by the College Board and ACT Inc. They represent the scores that place students at the same percentile rank on each test:

Total Score Concordance

• SAT 1600 = ACT 36
• SAT 1570-1590 = ACT 35
• SAT 1530-1560 = ACT 34
• SAT 1490-1520 = ACT 33
• SAT 1450-1480 = ACT 32
• SAT 1410-1440 = ACT 31
• SAT 1370-1400 = ACT 30
• SAT 1330-1360 = ACT 29
• SAT 1290-1320 = ACT 28
• SAT 1250-1280 = ACT 27
• SAT 1210-1240 = ACT 26
• SAT 1170-1200 = ACT 25
• SAT 1130-1160 = ACT 24
• SAT 1090-1120 = ACT 23
• SAT 1050-1080 = ACT 22
• SAT 1010-1040 = ACT 21
• SAT 970-1000 = ACT 20
• SAT 930-960 = ACT 19
• SAT 890-920 = ACT 18
• SAT 850-880 = ACT 17
• SAT 810-840 = ACT 16
• SAT 770-800 = ACT 15
• SAT 730-760 = ACT 14
• SAT 690-720 = ACT 13
• SAT 650-680 = ACT 12
• SAT 590-640 = ACT 11
• SAT 530-580 = ACT 10
• SAT 480-520 = ACT 9

Section Score Concordance

You can also compare individual section scores:

• SAT Reading/Writing 800 = ACT English 36 + ACT Reading 36
• SAT Reading/Writing 700-790 = ACT English 32-35 + ACT Reading 32-35
• SAT Reading/Writing 600-690 = ACT English 25-31 + ACT Reading 25-31
• SAT Reading/Writing 500-590 = ACT English 18-24 + ACT Reading 18-24
• SAT Math 800 = ACT Math 36
• SAT Math 700-790 = ACT Math 30-35
• SAT Math 600-690 = ACT Math 24-29
• SAT Math 500-590 = ACT Math 18-23

Section concordance is less precise than total score concordance because the SAT combines Reading and Writing into one section while the ACT splits them into two. Use total score concordance for the most accurate comparison.

How Admissions Offices Use Concordance Tables

Understanding how colleges actually use these tables helps you make strategic decisions:

• Colleges treat concordant scores as equivalent. A 1400 SAT and a 31 ACT are viewed as the same level of performance in admissions. Neither carries more weight or prestige
• Published score ranges use concordance. When a college reports that its admitted student median SAT is 1450 and median ACT is 32, those numbers are concordant — they represent the same percentile of applicants
• Admissions officers do not prefer one test. The era of SAT preference (when the ACT was seen as a 'regional' test) ended decades ago. All US colleges accept both tests equally
• If you submit both, colleges use the higher equivalent. If you submit a 1400 SAT and a 32 ACT (concordant to ~1450 SAT), most schools will evaluate you using the higher score

Which Test Gives You a Higher Score?

The only reliable way to determine which test favors you is to take full-length practice tests for both under timed conditions and convert the scores. However, research suggests certain tendencies:

Students Who Tend to Score Higher on the SAT

• Students who prefer shorter reading passages with one question each (SAT format) over long passages with 10 questions each (ACT format)
• Students who need more time per question — the SAT generally allows more time per question than the ACT
• Students who are strong in algebra and advanced math but weaker in geometry — the SAT emphasizes algebra more heavily
• Students who benefit from the built-in Desmos graphing calculator — the ACT allows your own calculator but does not provide one
• Students who perform well on adaptive tests where Module 1 accuracy matters most

Students Who Tend to Score Higher on the ACT

• Students who are fast test-takers — the ACT has stricter time pressure but rewards speed
• Students who are strong at data interpretation and scientific reasoning — the ACT has a Science section (data analysis, not science knowledge) that the SAT lacks
• Students who prefer straightforward, non-adaptive testing where every question counts equally
• Students who are comfortable with long reading passages and can process large amounts of text quickly
• Students who are strong in geometry — the ACT tests more geometry concepts than the SAT

For a detailed breakdown of format, content, and timing differences, see our complete SAT vs ACT comparison guide.

When to Switch Tests

If you have taken one test and your score is below your target, consider switching to the other test before retaking. Switching makes sense when:

• Your practice test on the other test produces a higher concordant score — this is the strongest indicator
• You have identified a specific format issue: For example, if the SAT's adaptive format causes anxiety, the ACT's linear format may suit you better. Or if the ACT's time pressure causes you to rush and make mistakes, the SAT's more generous timing may help
• The ACT Science section is dragging down your composite — since the SAT has no science section, eliminating that variable can raise your equivalent score
• You have taken the SAT 2-3 times with minimal improvement — a format change can break a plateau

Superscoring Across Tests

An important limitation: colleges do not cross-superscore between the SAT and ACT. You cannot combine your best SAT Math with your best ACT English. Superscoring only works within the same test:

• SAT superscoring: Best Reading/Writing from any SAT date + Best Math from any SAT date
• ACT superscoring: Best English, Math, Reading, and Science from any ACT date
• If you have both SAT and ACT scores, submit whichever test produces the higher single-test or superscored equivalent

Using the Concordance Table for College Research

When researching colleges, you will see published score ranges in both SAT and ACT formats. Here is how to use concordance for college list building:

1. Find the school's middle 50% range — Most schools publish the 25th-75th percentile SAT and ACT ranges for admitted students

2. Convert your scores — If you took the SAT, convert your score to ACT equivalent (or vice versa) using the concordance table above

3. Compare — Your score should ideally be at or above the school's 50th percentile. If your score is between the 25th and 50th percentile, you are competitive but not a slam dunk for test scores

4. Decide which test to submit — If your concorded SAT score is equivalent to an ACT 32 but your actual ACT score is 30, submit the SAT. If the reverse, submit the ACT

Frequently Asked Questions

Are SAT and ACT scores really equivalent?

Within the margin of error, yes. Concordance tables are based on large-scale studies comparing students who took both tests. A 1400 SAT and a 31 ACT place students at the same percentile of test-takers, meaning they represent the same general level of academic preparation. However, the tests measure slightly different skills, so individual students may score notably higher on one test than the concordance would predict.

Should I take both the SAT and ACT?

If time and money allow, taking one practice test for each is worthwhile. If one test clearly produces a higher concordant score, focus your preparation on that test. Taking both official tests is also fine — you can then submit whichever score is stronger. For cost considerations, see our SAT Costs guide.

Do UK or international universities use concordance tables?

UK universities typically publish requirements in terms of specific test scores rather than using concordance. For example, Oxford may require 'SAT 1470+' or 'ACT 33+' as separate requirements. These are not necessarily concordant — always check each university's specific requirements. For SAT international logistics, see our International SAT Guide.

Find out which test gives you the edge with WitPrep's SAT Practice Hub. Take a diagnostic, assess your strengths, and build a preparation plan tailored to your best test.

Key Takeaways

• Official concordance: SAT 1400 = ACT 31, SAT 1500 = ACT 33-34, SAT 1200 = ACT 25 — these are the scores admissions offices treat as equivalent
• All US colleges accept SAT and ACT equally — neither test carries more weight or prestige in admissions
• The only reliable way to determine which test favors you is to take practice tests for both and compare concorded scores
• Colleges do not cross-superscore between SAT and ACT — submit whichever single test produces the higher equivalent score
• If you have plateaued on one test after 2-3 attempts, switching to the other test may break the pattern better than another retake