Education

SAT / ACT Score Converter

Convert between SAT and ACT scores using the official concordance table. See equivalent scores and your percentile ranking.

Quick Answer

A 1200 SAT equals roughly a 23 ACT (68th percentile). A 1400 SAT equals about a 30 ACT (94th percentile). Conversions are based on the concordance table jointly developed by the College Board and ACT, Inc., which maps scores that represent equivalent levels of achievement.

Conversion Direction

SAT Score (400-1600)

Results

SAT Score

1200

out of 1600

ACT Score

out of 36

Percentile

68th

Average

Percentile Ranking

You scored higher than 68% of test takers.

68%

1st50th99th

Concordance Reference

SAT 1600ACT 3699th %ile

SAT 1570ACT 3599th %ile

SAT 1530ACT 3499th %ile

SAT 1500ACT 3398th %ile

SAT 1470ACT 3297th %ile

SAT 1440ACT 3196th %ile

SAT 1410ACT 3094th %ile

SAT 1380ACT 2992th %ile

SAT 1350ACT 2889th %ile

SAT 1320ACT 2786th %ile

SAT 1290ACT 2682th %ile

SAT 1230ACT 2473th %ile

SAT 1170ACT 2262th %ile

SAT 1110ACT 2050th %ile

SAT 1050ACT 1838th %ile

SAT 990ACT 1626th %ile

SAT 920ACT 1416th %ile

SAT 830ACT 127th %ile

SAT 730ACT 102th %ile

SAT 630ACT 81th %ile

SAT 560ACT 61th %ile

SAT 500ACT 41th %ile

SAT 440ACT 21th %ile

About This Tool

The SAT / ACT Score Converter uses the official concordance table developed jointly by the College Board and ACT, Inc. to translate scores between the two major college entrance exams. Whether you took one test and want to know your equivalent score on the other, or you are deciding which test to submit in your college application, this tool provides instant, accurate conversions with percentile context.

What Is the Concordance Table?

The concordance table is a statistical mapping between SAT and ACT scores that represent equivalent levels of college readiness. It was created through a joint research project between the College Board (which administers the SAT) and ACT, Inc. (which administers the ACT). The table was developed by analyzing data from hundreds of thousands of students who took both tests, then using equipercentile linking to identify score pairs that correspond to the same percentile rank. This is the same table used by college admissions offices nationwide to compare applicants who submitted different tests.

SAT vs ACT: Score Ranges and Structure

The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, combining Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (200-800) and Math (200-800). The ACT is scored on a composite scale of 1 to 36, averaging four section scores: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Despite the different scales and formats, both tests measure college readiness, and virtually all U.S. colleges accept both interchangeably. The SAT is administered by the College Board seven times per year, while the ACT is offered seven times per year by ACT, Inc. As of recent years, both tests are available in digital format.

How Percentiles Work

A percentile rank tells you the percentage of test takers who scored at or below your score. A 75th percentile score means you performed as well as or better than 75% of students. Percentile ranks are useful because they provide context that raw scores cannot. A 1200 SAT sounds abstract, but knowing it places you in the 68th percentile tells you that you outperformed roughly two-thirds of all test takers. Percentiles can shift slightly from year to year as the test-taking population changes, but the concordance table smooths these variations using large multi-year datasets.

Which Score Should You Submit?

If you took both the SAT and ACT, use this converter to see which score is stronger relative to its scale. Submit the higher equivalent. For example, if your SAT is 1280 (85th percentile) and your ACT is 26 (82nd percentile), the SAT is your stronger score. Many students find they perform differently on the two tests due to format preferences. The ACT includes a science reasoning section and has tighter time constraints per question, while the SAT emphasizes evidence-based reasoning with slightly more time per question. Taking a practice test for each can help you identify which format suits your strengths.

Score Benchmarks for College Admissions

Average scores vary widely by institution. Community colleges and open-admission universities typically have no minimum score requirement. State flagship universities often look for SAT scores in the 1200-1350 range (ACT 24-29). Highly selective private universities like Ivy League schools typically see admitted student averages of 1500+ SAT (33+ ACT). However, standardized tests are just one component of a holistic application. Many schools have adopted test-optional policies, meaning scores are not required but can strengthen an application if competitive. Research each school's middle 50% score range on their admissions website for the most accurate benchmark.

Superscoring and Section-Level Conversion

Many colleges superscore the SAT, meaning they take the highest Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score and the highest Math score across all your test dates. Some also superscore the ACT by taking the highest section scores across dates. This converter provides composite-to-composite conversion only. Section-level conversions are less standardized because the tests have different section structures. For superscoring strategy, take each test multiple times and let colleges combine your best sections. This can yield a composite score higher than any single sitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the SAT to ACT conversion exact?

No conversion is perfectly exact because the tests measure slightly different skills with different formats. However, the concordance table used here is the official one developed jointly by the College Board and ACT, Inc. using data from hundreds of thousands of students. It provides the most accurate statistical equivalence available and is the same table used by college admissions offices.

Do colleges prefer the SAT or ACT?

Virtually all U.S. colleges accept both tests equally and have no preference. Admissions officers use concordance tables (like the one in this tool) to compare applicants who submitted different tests. Submit whichever test gives you a stronger percentile rank. Some students perform better on one test due to format differences in timing, question style, and section structure.

What SAT score is equivalent to a 30 ACT?

A 30 ACT is equivalent to approximately a 1410 SAT, placing you in the 94th percentile. This is a highly competitive score suitable for many selective universities. To achieve this on the SAT, you'd need roughly 700+ in both Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math sections.

What ACT score is equivalent to a 1200 SAT?

A 1200 SAT is equivalent to approximately a 23 ACT, placing you in the 68th percentile. This is above average and meets the admission requirements of most state universities. It means you scored higher than roughly two-thirds of all test takers.

Should I take both the SAT and ACT?

Taking both tests can be beneficial because many students score relatively higher on one test due to format differences. The ACT has a science section and tighter time limits, while the SAT has more evidence-based questions with slightly more time per question. Try a full-length practice test of each under timed conditions, then compare your scores using this converter to see which favors you.

How often is the concordance table updated?

The concordance table is updated periodically when either test undergoes significant changes. The most recent major update occurred when the SAT was redesigned. Minor adjustments happen as new linking studies are conducted with larger datasets. The table in this tool reflects current concordance data as of 2024-2025 testing cycles.

Tax & Finance