SAT to ACT score conversion chart
Students who take both the SAT and ACT, or who are deciding which test to take, often need to compare scores across the two. The official way to do this is through concordance tables published jointly by College Board and ACT. These tables don't equate scores (the tests measure related but different things), but they identify comparable performance levels.
SAT to ACT composite concordance
This table shows the official concordance between SAT total scores and ACT composite scores, based on the 2018 concordance study.
| SAT range | ACT |
|---|---|
| 1570-1600 | 36 |
| 1530-1560 | 35 |
| 1490-1520 | 34 |
| 1450-1480 | 33 |
| 1420-1440 | 32 |
| 1390-1410 | 31 |
| 1360-1380 | 30 |
| 1330-1350 | 29 |
| 1300-1320 | 28 |
| 1260-1290 | 27 |
| 1230-1250 | 26 |
| 1200-1220 | 25 |
| 1160-1190 | 24 |
| 1130-1150 | 23 |
| 1100-1120 | 22 |
| 1060-1090 | 21 |
| 1030-1050 | 20 |
What concordance means and what it doesn't
A concorded score is not a prediction of how a student would score on the other test. It identifies the score on one test that represents a similar level of performance. A student with an SAT score of 1460 and a student with an ACT score of 33 performed at comparable levels, but that doesn't mean the SAT student would score exactly 33 if they took the ACT.
The concordance is based on a 2018 study and has not been updated since. The SAT moved to a digital, adaptive format in 2024, and the ACT changed significantly in 2025 with the enhanced ACT, which made Science optional and recalculated the composite as an average of three sections (English, Math, Reading) instead of four. The concordance remains the official tool for comparison, but because it was calibrated on older versions of both tests, it should be treated as an approximation.
When the conversion matters
Deciding which test to take. If your child takes a practice test of each, the concordance table tells you which score is stronger relative to the other. A student who scores 1350 on an SAT practice test and 30 on an ACT practice test is performing at comparable levels on both (an SAT score of 1350 falls in the ACT 29-30 range). If one score is clearly stronger after concordance, that's the test to focus on. We've written a full guide to choosing between the SAT and ACT here.
Comparing scores for college applications. Most colleges accept both the SAT and ACT and use concordance tables to evaluate them equivalently. A student with an SAT score of 1500 and a student with an ACT score of 34 are considered comparably strong. If your child has taken both tests, submit whichever score is stronger after concordance.
Meeting scholarship thresholds. Some merit scholarships specify a minimum SAT or ACT score. If the threshold is listed in one format and your child took the other test, the concordance tells you whether their score qualifies. For example, a scholarship requiring a 1400 SAT would correspond to an ACT score of 31 or higher.
Section-level concordances
The composite concordance is the most commonly used, but section-level concordances also exist. SAT Math maps to ACT Math. SAT Reading and Writing maps to the sum of ACT English and ACT Reading, which are separate sections on the ACT, each scored 1 to 36. The combined scale runs from 2 to 72 rather than 1 to 36.
| SAT Math | ACT Math |
|---|---|
| 800 | 36 |
| 700 | 30 |
| 600 | 25 |
| 500 | 18 |
| SAT Reading and Writing | ACT English + Reading (out of 72) |
|---|---|
| 800 | 72 |
| 700 | 64 |
| 600 | 49 |
| 500 | 37 |
These are useful if your child is stronger in one section than the other and wants to see whether that advantage holds on the other test.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the concordance table still accurate for the digital SAT and enhanced ACT?
It's the best tool available, but it's an approximation. The concordance was based on a 2018 study using the paper SAT and the old four-section ACT. Both tests have changed significantly since then. College Board and ACT have not published an updated concordance. Colleges still use these tables, but treat the conversions as approximate rather than exact.
What ACT score is equivalent to a 1400 SAT?
An ACT score of 31, based on the official concordance. The SAT range for an ACT score of 31 is 1390 to 1410.
What SAT score is equivalent to a 34 ACT?
An SAT score of about 1500, based on the official concordance. The SAT range for an ACT score of 34 is 1490 to 1520.
Should my child take both the SAT and ACT?
Taking a practice test of each is a good idea. Some students perform noticeably better on one test due to differences in pacing, question style, or section structure. The concordance table helps you compare the results and decide which to focus on.
Do colleges prefer the SAT or ACT?
Colleges accept both equally and use the concordance to compare them. Neither carries more weight. Submit whichever score is stronger after concordance.
