SAT to ACT Score Conversion Guide: Compare Your Scores Accurately
Quick Answer
- *A 1200 SAT converts to roughly a 25 ACT; a 1400 SAT equals about a 31 ACT.
- *Official concordance data comes from over 600,000 students who took both tests (College Board & ACT, 2024).
- *All U.S. colleges accept both tests equally — submit whichever puts you in a higher percentile.
- *Over 90% of colleges that accept the SAT now superscore it (National Association for College Admission Counseling, 2024).
Why Convert Between SAT and ACT Scores?
About 2.2 million students took the SAT in 2024, while roughly 1.4 millionsat for the ACT (College Board & ACT annual reports). Many students take both. Converting between the two helps you decide which score to send to colleges, compare scholarship thresholds, and evaluate where you stand competitively.
The SAT scores on a 400–1600 scale, while the ACT uses a 1–36 composite. Without a conversion, it's impossible to compare them directly.
Official SAT to ACT Concordance Table
The following concordance data is derived from College Board and ACT's joint study of students who took both tests. These are the most widely cited conversion benchmarks.
| SAT Score | ACT Score | Approximate Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 1600 | 36 | 99th+ |
| 1560 | 35 | 99th |
| 1520 | 34 | 99th |
| 1480 | 33 | 98th |
| 1440 | 32 | 97th |
| 1400 | 31 | 95th |
| 1360 | 30 | 93rd |
| 1310 | 29 | 90th |
| 1260 | 28 | 87th |
| 1200 | 25 | 78th |
| 1130 | 23 | 68th |
| 1060 | 21 | 55th |
| 990 | 19 | 42nd |
| 920 | 17 | 28th |
For a quick lookup of any score, use our SAT ↔ ACT converter tool.
Key Differences Between the SAT and ACT
Understanding the structural differences can help you decide which test suits your strengths.
| Feature | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|
| Total time | 2 hours 14 minutes | 2 hours 55 minutes |
| Sections | 2 (Reading/Writing, Math) | 4 (English, Math, Reading, Science) |
| Score range | 400–1600 | 1–36 |
| Science section | No | Yes |
| Calculator policy | Allowed on all math | Allowed on one of two math sections |
| Reading passage style | Evidence-based, shorter | Longer passages, faster pace |
Which Test Should You Submit?
The answer is simple: submit whichever score places you in a higher percentile. A 1400 SAT (95th percentile) is better to send than a 30 ACT (93rd percentile), even though both are strong scores.
According to a 2024 survey by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), 100% of four-year colleges that require standardized tests accept both the SAT and ACT with no preference. The myth that certain regions favor one test is outdated.
When the SAT Might Be Better for You
- You prefer more time per question (the SAT gives roughly 25% more time per item)
- You excel at evidence-based reading and data interpretation
- You perform well with a calculator available on all math questions
When the ACT Might Be Better for You
- You're strong in science and data analysis
- You work well under time pressure with straightforward questions
- You prefer geometry-heavy math (the ACT tests more geometry than the SAT)
Understanding Superscoring
Superscoring means a college takes your highest section scores across multiple test dates to build the best possible composite. According to NACAC's 2024 report, over 90% of colleges that accept the SAT superscore it, and a growing number superscore the ACT as well.
When comparing converted scores, use your superscored composites for the most accurate picture. If your superscored SAT is 1420 but your single-sitting best is 1380, convert the 1420 since that's the score colleges will see.
Score Ranges for Competitive Colleges
Here are median admitted student scores at several well-known universities, showing both SAT and ACT equivalents (Common Data Set 2024–2025):
| University | SAT Middle 50% | ACT Middle 50% |
|---|---|---|
| MIT | 1540–1580 | 35–36 |
| UCLA | 1400–1540 | 31–35 |
| University of Michigan | 1380–1540 | 32–35 |
| University of Florida | 1330–1490 | 30–34 |
| Arizona State University | 1120–1350 | 22–30 |
Common Conversion Mistakes
Using Outdated Tables
The SAT was redesigned in 2016 and again shifted to a digital format in 2024. Pre-2016 conversion tables are invalid for current scores. Always use concordance data based on the current test format.
Ignoring Section-Level Differences
A student might score 95th percentile on SAT Math but 85th on Reading/Writing, while their ACT sections are more balanced. Section-level conversion can reveal which test better showcases your strengths.
Overlooking Test-Optional Policies
As of 2025, over 1,900 U.S. collegesare test-optional (FairTest). If your converted score falls below a school's 25th percentile, going test-optional may be the stronger strategy.
Convert your scores instantly
Use our free SAT ↔ ACT Converter →Frequently Asked Questions
What SAT score is equivalent to a 30 ACT?
A 30 ACT is roughly equivalent to a 1370–1390 SAT according to the College Board and ACT concordance tables. This places students in approximately the 93rd–95th percentile on both tests.
Is it better to submit SAT or ACT scores?
Submit whichever score places you in a higher percentile relative to admitted students at your target school. Many students perform better on one test due to differences in timing, question style, and content emphasis. Take a practice test of each to compare.
Do colleges prefer SAT over ACT?
No. All U.S. colleges and universities that require standardized tests accept both the SAT and ACT equally. There is no preference for one over the other in admissions decisions.
How accurate are SAT to ACT conversion tables?
The official concordance tables from College Board and ACT are based on data from over 600,000 students who took both tests. They are statistically robust but represent averages — individual results may vary by 1–2 points on the ACT scale.
What is superscoring and does it affect conversion?
Superscoring means a college takes your highest section scores across multiple test dates to create the best possible composite. Over 90% of colleges that accept SAT scores superscore them. Conversion tables use composite scores, so convert your superscored total for the most accurate comparison.