The SAT and ACT are both standardized tests used for college admissions in the United States. The two tests are similar in that they both assess a student’s knowledge in areas such as math and English, but they differ in format and content.
To compare SAT and ACT scores, you can use a conversion table that equates scores on one test to scores on the other. The College Board, which administers the SAT, provides an official SAT-ACT conversion chart that can be found on their website. The ACT and College Board collaboratively conducted a study to find a comparison between scores. They provided the tables in 2018.
Act & Score Score Conversion Table
| ACT | SAT | SAT Range |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | 1590 | 1570-1600 |
| 35 | 1540 | 1530-1560 |
| 34 | 1500 | 1490-1520 |
| 33 | 1460 | 1450-1480 |
| 32 | 1430 | 1420-1440 |
| 31 | 1400 | 1390-1410 |
| 30 | 1370 | 1360-1380 |
| 29 | 1340 | 1330-1350 |
| 28 | 1310 | 1300-1320 |
| 27 | 1280 | 1260-1290 |
| 26 | 1240 | 1230-1250 |
| 25 | 1210 | 1200-1220 |
| 24 | 1180 | 1160-1190 |
| 23 | 1140 | 1130-1150 |
| 22 | 1110 | 1100-1120 |
| 21 | 1080 | 1060-1090 |
| 20 | 1040 | 1030-1050 |
| 19 | 1010 | 990-1020 |
| 18 | 970 | 960-980 |
| 17 | 930 | 920-950 |
| 16 | 890 | 880-910 |
| 15 | 850 | 830-870 |
| 14 | 800 | 780-820 |
| 13 | 760 | 730-770 |
| 12 | 710 | 690-720 |
| 11 | 670 | 650-680 |
| 10 | 630 | 620–640 |
| 9 | 590 | 590–610 |
Common ACT to SAT Score Conversions
36 on the ACT is approximately 1590 on the SAT
35 on the ACT is approximately 1540 on the SAT
34 on the ACT is approximately 1500 on the SAT
33 on the ACT is approximately 1460 on the SAT
32 on the ACT is approximately 1430 on the SAT
31 on the ACT is approximately 1400 on the SAT
30 on the ACT is approximately 1370 on the SAT
29 on the ACT is approximately1340 on the SAT
28 on the ACT is approximately 1310 on the SAT
27 on the ACT is approximately 1280 on the SAT
26 on the ACT is approximately 1240 on the SAT
25 on the ACT is approximately 1210 on the SAT
24 on the ACT is approximately 1180 on the SAT
23 on the ACT is approximately 1140 on the SAT
22 on the ACT is approximately 1110 on the SAT
21 on the ACT is approximately 1080 on the SAT
20 on the ACT is approximately 1040 on the SAT
Common SAT to ACT Score Conversions
1600 on the SAT is approximately 36 on the ACT
1550 on the SAT is approximately 35 on the ACT
1500 on the SAT is approximately 34 on the ACT
1450 on the SAT is approximately 33 on the ACT
1400 on the SAT is approximately 31 on the ACT
1350 on the SAT is approximately 29 on the ACT
1300 on the SAT is approximately 28 on the ACT
1250 on the SAT is approximately 26 on the ACT
1200 on the SAT is approximately 25 on the ACT
1150 on the SAT is approximately 23 on the ACT
1100 on the SAT is approximately 22 on the ACT
1050 on the SAT is approximately 20 on the ACT
1000 on the SAT is approximately 19 on the ACT
Using the Estimated Score Conversions
It’s important to note that conversion tables are not perfect and should be used as a general guide only. Some colleges may have their own conversion tables, and a student’s performance on one test may not be directly comparable to their performance on the other. Additionally, Some colleges may not accept one of the test , so it’s important to check with the colleges you’re applying to about their test requirements.
Student who took the PSAT may also want to see how to convert PSAT scores to SAT scores, so they can see where they stand.
