ACT to SAT Score Converter
Convert your ACT composite scores to SAT equivalents using official 2018 concordance tables from ACT and College Board
ACT to SAT Score Calculator
What is ACT to SAT Conversion?
ACT to SAT conversion, formally known as concordance, is a statistical process that establishes a relationship between scores on the ACT and SAT standardized tests. While both assessments measure college readiness, they use different scoring scales and evaluate slightly different academic skills, making direct comparison impossible without concordance.
The ACT (American College Testing) produces a composite score ranging from 1 to 36, calculated by averaging scores from four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) uses a total score scale of 400 to 1600, combining Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (200-800) and Math (200-800) sections. Because these tests have different scales, content emphases, and timing structures, statistical concordance is necessary for fair comparison.
The authoritative 2018 ACT/SAT concordance tables, jointly developed by ACT and the College Board, represent the only official source for score comparison. These tables were created using empirical data from 589,753 graduating seniors who took both tests between February 2016 and June 2017. The concordance matches scores based on percentile rank—meaning students who score at the 85th percentile on the ACT would have an equivalent SAT score also at the 85th percentile.
It's critical to understand that concorded scores are estimates, not predictions. A converted score suggests what a student might achieve but includes a standard error of approximately ±80 SAT points (or ±2.26 ACT points). This margin reflects inherent differences in test format, content coverage, and individual student performance variability across assessments.
Conversion Methodology & Formulae
The ACT to SAT conversion process employs equipercentile linking methods, a sophisticated statistical technique that matches scores from different assessments based on their percentile rankings within the same population. This approach ensures fairness by equating scores that represent equivalent performance levels.
Equipercentile Linking Formula
The equipercentile method identifies the percentile rank P for a given ACT composite score A and finds the corresponding SAT total score S with the same percentile rank:
PercentileACT(A) = PercentileSAT(S)
For example, if a student scores 28 on the ACT composite, which corresponds to the 88th percentile, the concordance table identifies the SAT score that also represents the 88th percentile—in this case, an SAT total of 1310.
Standard Error of Estimate
The prediction accuracy of score conversion is quantified using the standard error of estimate (SEE), which measures the typical deviation between concorded and actual scores:
SEESAT = σSAT × √(1 - r2)
Where σSAT represents the standard deviation of SAT scores and r is the correlation coefficient between ACT and SAT scores. With r = 0.887, the resulting SEESAT is approximately 80 points, establishing the confidence interval for converted scores.
Population Weighting Formula
To ensure the concordance sample accurately represents all test-takers, researchers applied statistical weights adjusting for demographic variables (D), school characteristics (S), and academic performance metrics (GPA):
wi = f(Di, Si, GPAi)
This weighting procedure ensures the concordance tables reflect the broader population of all students taking either or both tests, not just those in the research sample. The weights account for factors like geographic distribution, socioeconomic status, and academic preparation levels.
Correlation Coefficient
The Pearson correlation coefficient between ACT composite and SAT total scores measures the strength of their linear relationship:
r = 0.887
This high correlation indicates strong agreement between the two tests while acknowledging that approximately 21% of the variance in one test score is not explained by the other, justifying the need for concordance tables rather than simple linear conversion.
How This Calculator Works
This ACT to SAT converter implements the official 2018 ACT/SAT concordance table published jointly by ACT and the College Board. The calculator uses a lookup algorithm that matches your ACT composite score to the corresponding SAT total score based on validated statistical relationships derived from actual student performance data.
Step-by-Step Calculation Process
- Input Validation: The calculator first verifies that your ACT composite score falls within the valid range of 1-36 points.
- Direct Table Lookup: Your ACT score is matched against the concordance table entries. Each ACT score has a corresponding SAT score derived from equipercentile matching.
- Single-Point Comparison: The calculator returns the SAT score marked with an asterisk in the official tables, representing the most appropriate single-point comparison value.
- Range Calculation: The calculator also displays the SAT score range that maps to your ACT score, providing context for the conversion's precision.
- Error Margin Display: Users receive information about the standard error (±80 SAT points) to understand the conversion's confidence interval.
The underlying concordance data was derived from empirical analysis of nearly 590,000 students' actual test performance, ensuring statistical validity. The calculator applies the same methodology used by college admission offices, scholarship committees, and athletic eligibility organizations nationwide when comparing applicants who submit different test scores.
Important Consideration: While this converter provides the official concorded score, individual SAT performance may vary by approximately ±80 points due to differences in test format, time management skills, content knowledge distribution, and testing conditions. Concordance represents group-level equivalence, not individual-level prediction.
Uses of ACT to SAT Conversion
ACT to SAT conversion serves numerous critical purposes throughout the educational landscape. Understanding these applications helps students, families, educators, and institutions make strategic decisions about college preparation, application processes, and admission evaluations.
1. Strategic Test Selection
Students use concordance tables to determine which test better showcases their academic abilities. By taking official practice tests of both ACT and SAT and comparing converted scores, students can strategically select which test to take and submit, optimizing their college application profile and potentially improving admission outcomes.
2. College Admission Standards
Colleges and universities rely on concordance tables to establish equivalent admission thresholds. When institutions publish requirements like "ACT 27 or SAT 1280," they're using official concordance to ensure fairness. This allows admission offices to evaluate applicants consistently regardless of which test they submitted, maintaining equitable standards across diverse applicant pools.
3. Scholarship Qualification
Scholarship organizations frequently specify minimum test score requirements for eligibility. Concordance tables enable students who took only the ACT to determine if they meet scholarship criteria listed for SAT scores, expanding access to merit-based financial aid. Many state-funded and private scholarships use these tables to evaluate applicants fairly across both tests.
4. NCAA Academic Eligibility
The NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) uses official ACT/SAT concordance tables to determine academic eligibility for student-athletes. Athletes can submit either test score with confidence that it will be fairly evaluated against division-specific academic standards, ensuring consistent eligibility determination across all applicants.
5. College List Development
High school counselors and independent college advisors use conversion tables to help students build balanced college lists. By understanding score equivalencies, counselors can accurately identify reach, target, and safety schools appropriate for each student's academic profile, regardless of which test the student took.
6. Educational Research and Assessment
Researchers and policymakers employ concordance data to aggregate scores across tests when measuring college readiness at district, state, or national levels. This enables comprehensive analysis of educational outcomes, evaluation of curriculum effectiveness, and assessment of achievement gaps across different testing programs and demographic groups.
How to Use This Converter
Follow these straightforward steps to convert your ACT composite score to its SAT equivalent and understand what the results mean for your college planning strategy:
Step 1: Find Your ACT Composite Score
Locate your ACT composite score from your official score report. This is the average of your four section scores (English, Math, Reading, and Science), rounded to the nearest whole number, ranging from 1 to 36. Do not use individual section scores or subscores for this conversion.
Step 2: Input Your Score
Enter your ACT composite score into the calculator field above. The calculator accepts any whole number between 1 and 36. Ensure you're entering your composite score, not a section score or superscore unless that's what you plan to report to colleges.
Step 3: Review Your Converted SAT Score
Click the "Convert to SAT Score" button. The calculator will instantly display your equivalent SAT total score (400-1600 scale) based on official concordance tables. You'll also see the SAT score range that corresponds to your ACT score, providing context for the conversion's precision.
Step 4: Understand the Error Margin
Remember that concorded scores carry a standard error of approximately ±80 SAT points. This means actual SAT performance might vary from the converted score. The conversion represents a statistical estimate based on population data, not a guaranteed individual outcome.
Step 5: Apply to Your College Strategy
Use your converted score to compare college admission statistics, evaluate scholarship opportunities, and assess NCAA eligibility requirements that may be listed in SAT terms. Cross-reference with colleges' Common Data Sets to see if your scores fall within their middle 50% ranges for admitted students.
Expert Tip: If you're deciding between taking the ACT or SAT, use this converter alongside authentic practice test scores from both exams. Your actual practice test performance is the most reliable indicator of which test format aligns with your strengths and test-taking style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ACT to SAT score conversion?
ACT to SAT score conversion, known as concordance, establishes a statistical relationship between ACT and SAT scores by matching scores with the same percentile rank. The official 2018 concordance tables were developed using data from 589,753 students who took both tests, ensuring empirical validity.
How accurate is ACT to SAT conversion?
The conversion has a standard error of approximately ±80 SAT points (or ±2.26 ACT points). This means concorded scores provide statistically reliable comparisons but are not exact predictions of individual performance. The correlation between tests is 0.887, indicating strong but not perfect agreement.
Can colleges compare ACT and SAT scores?
Yes, colleges use official concordance tables to fairly compare applicants who submit different tests. Most U.S. colleges and universities accept both ACT and SAT equally without preference, applying concordance internally to maintain consistent evaluation standards across their applicant pool.
What SAT score equals a 30 ACT?
An ACT composite score of 30 corresponds to an SAT score of 1370 as the single-point comparison, with a range of 1360-1380. This represents approximately the 93rd percentile for both tests, indicating strong college readiness across multiple academic domains.
Is a 36 ACT the same as 1600 SAT?
A perfect ACT score of 36 corresponds to an SAT score of 1590 as the single-point comparison, with a range of 1570-1600. Both represent the 99th+ percentile. While not identical scores, they indicate equivalent exceptional performance and are treated equally by colleges.
Which test should I take, ACT or SAT?
The choice depends on your individual strengths and preferences. The ACT includes a science reasoning section and has faster pacing with less time per question, while the SAT allows more time per question and focuses more heavily on evidence-based reasoning. Take official practice tests of both to determine which format suits your abilities best.
Can I use concorded scores for scholarships?
Yes, scholarship organizations commonly use concordance tables to establish equivalent eligibility criteria. If a scholarship requires an SAT score and you took the ACT, you can convert your score to determine if you meet the threshold. Many state-funded merit scholarships explicitly use concordance tables in their evaluation processes.
Do concordance tables work for subscores?
Yes, official concordance tables exist for ACT Math to SAT Math and ACT English+Reading combined to SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. These section-level concordances allow for more granular comparison but are used less frequently than composite/total score concordances in admission decisions.
When was the concordance table last updated?
The current concordance table was published in 2018 following the SAT redesign implemented in 2016. It remains the official reference used by colleges, ACT, and the College Board for comparing scores. This version replaced the previous 2016 concordance and reflects the current SAT format.
Can I superscore between ACT and SAT?
No, the College Board and ACT strongly discourage superscoring across different tests. Superscoring—combining your best section scores from multiple test dates—should only be done within the same test type. Mixing sections from ACT and SAT is statistically imprecise and not recommended by testing organizations or admission professionals.
Official Sources & References
This converter uses data from the following official and authoritative sources:
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ACT Official Concordance Information
ACT to SAT Score Conversion Chart -
College Board SAT and ACT Comparison
College Board Official Score Comparisons -
Official ACT/SAT Concordance Tables (PDF)
Complete Concordance Tables Document -
Guide to the 2018 ACT/SAT Concordance (PDF)
Technical Documentation and Methodology
About the Author
This calculator was developed by Adam, an educational technology specialist dedicated to creating accessible, accurate tools for students and educators worldwide.
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