SAT Score Converter
Convert between new SAT (1600 scale), and ACT composite scores using official concordance tables.
Results
Visualization
How It Works
The SAT and ACT are the two major college entrance exams in the United States. Since many students take one but not the other, concordance tables allow colleges and students to compare scores across the two tests. The College Board and ACT jointly developed official concordance tables based on data from students who took both exams.
The Formula
Variables
- SAT — New SAT score on the 400-1600 scale (Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math)
- ACT — ACT Composite score on the 1-36 scale (average of four sections)
- Percentile — Approximate national percentile rank based on recent test-taker data
Worked Example
A student scores 1200 on the SAT. Using the concordance table, this converts to approximately a 23 on the ACT. This places the student around the 76th percentile nationally, meaning they scored higher than about 76% of test-takers.
Practical Tips
- Most colleges accept both the SAT and ACT equally — submit whichever score is stronger.
- Concordance tables are approximate; a 1-2 point ACT difference is within the margin of error.
- Take a practice test for both the SAT and ACT to see which format suits you better.
- Superscoring (taking the best section scores across multiple sittings) is allowed by many colleges.
- Test-optional policies have expanded since 2020, but strong scores can still boost your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SAT or ACT easier?
Neither is inherently easier. The SAT emphasizes evidence-based reasoning and has fewer but more complex questions, while the ACT is more straightforward but faster-paced with a science section. Most students perform similarly on both relative to percentiles.
How accurate are concordance tables?
The official College Board/ACT concordance tables are based on data from over 500,000 students who took both tests. They are statistically reliable at the group level, though individual conversions may vary by 1-2 ACT points.
What is a good SAT score?
A 1200 SAT (76th percentile) is considered above average. Scores above 1400 (94th percentile) are very competitive for selective colleges. The national average is around 1050.
Can I convert old SAT (2400) scores?
The old SAT (pre-2016) used a 2400-point scale. College Board published a separate concordance table for old-to-new SAT conversion. As a rough guide, multiply your old SAT by 0.667, but use the official table for accuracy.
Do colleges prefer one test over the other?
No. All U.S. colleges that require standardized tests accept both the SAT and ACT equally. Choose whichever test you score higher on or feel more comfortable taking.