SAT to ACT Score Converter | Official 2018 Concordance

  • Adam
  • October 30, 2025

Convert SAT scores to ACT equivalents using official 2018 concordance tables. Free, accurate calculator with instant results. Based on College Board & ACT data.

SAT to ACT Score Converter

Convert your SAT scores to ACT equivalents using official 2018 concordance tables from College Board and ACT

SAT to ACT Score Calculator

What is SAT to ACT Conversion?

SAT to ACT conversion, formally known as concordance, is the process of establishing a relationship between scores on the SAT and ACT standardized tests. These two tests measure similar but not identical academic constructs, and concordance allows students, educators, and colleges to compare scores across both assessments.

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is scored on a scale from 400 to 1600, combining Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (200-800) and Math (200-800) sections. The ACT (American College Testing) uses a composite score ranging from 1 to 36, averaging scores from English, Math, Reading, and Science sections. Because these tests have different scales and slightly different content emphases, direct comparison requires statistical concordance.

The official 2018 ACT/SAT concordance tables, developed jointly by the College Board and ACT, represent the only authoritative source for score comparison. These tables were created using data from 589,753 graduating seniors who took both tests between February 2016 and June 2017. The concordance matches scores with the same percentile rank, meaning students who score at the 90th percentile on the SAT would have an equivalent ACT score also at the 90th percentile.

It's essential to understand that concorded scores are not predictions of actual performance. A converted score estimates what a student might achieve but includes a margin of error of approximately ±2.26 ACT points (or ±80 SAT points). This variation reflects the fact that the tests assess different skills and content areas despite their overall similarity.

Conversion Methodology & Formulae

The SAT to ACT conversion process uses equipercentile linking methods, a statistical technique that matches scores from different tests based on their percentile rankings within the same population. This method ensures fair comparison by equating scores that represent equivalent levels of performance.

Equipercentile Method

The equipercentile method identifies the percentile rank P for a given SAT score S and finds the corresponding ACT score A with the same percentile rank:

PercentileSAT(S) = PercentileACT(A)

For example, if a student scores 1450 on the SAT, which corresponds to the 97th percentile, the concordance table identifies the ACT score that also represents the 97th percentile—in this case, an ACT composite of 33.

Standard Error Formula

The prediction error associated with score conversion is quantified using the standard error of estimate (SEE):

SEEACT = σACT × √(1 - r2)

Where σACT is the standard deviation of ACT scores and r is the correlation coefficient between SAT and ACT scores. For the composite scores, r = 0.887, resulting in SEEACT ≈ 2.26 points.

Sample Weighting Procedure

The concordance sample was statistically weighted to represent the broader population of test-takers. The weighting formula adjusts for demographic variables (D), school characteristics (S), and academic performance (GPA):

wi = f(Di, Si, GPAi)

This weighting ensures the concordance tables accurately reflect the experiences of all students who take either or both tests, not just those in the original sample.

How This Calculator Works

This SAT to ACT converter implements the official 2018 ACT/SAT concordance table published jointly by the College Board and ACT. The calculator uses a lookup algorithm that matches your SAT total score to the corresponding ACT composite score based on validated statistical relationships.

Calculation Process

  1. Input Validation: The calculator first verifies that your SAT score falls within the valid range of 400-1600 points.
  2. Table Lookup: Your SAT score is matched against the concordance table entries. If your score falls between two table values, the calculator uses the specified conversion rule from the official guidelines.
  3. Single-Point Conversion: The calculator returns the single ACT score marked with an asterisk (*) in the official tables, which represents the most appropriate single-point comparison.
  4. Range Display: When applicable, the calculator also shows the SAT score range that corresponds to your converted ACT score.

The underlying concordance data was derived from actual test-taker performance, ensuring empirical validity. The calculator applies the same methodology used by college admission offices nationwide when comparing applicants who submit different test scores.

Accuracy Note: While this converter provides the official concorded score, remember that actual ACT performance may vary by approximately ±2-3 points due to individual differences in test-taking skills, content knowledge, and testing conditions.

Uses of SAT to ACT Conversion

SAT to ACT conversion serves multiple important purposes across the educational landscape. Understanding these applications helps students, families, and institutions make informed decisions about college preparation and admission processes.

1. College Application Strategy

Students use concordance tables to determine which test showcases their academic strengths more effectively. By taking practice tests of both SAT and ACT and comparing converted scores, students can strategically choose which test to submit to colleges, maximizing their admission chances.

2. Admission Requirements Comparison

Colleges and universities use concordance tables to establish equivalent admission standards. When a school lists "SAT 1300 or ACT 28," they're using official concordance to ensure fairness. This allows institutions to evaluate applicants consistently regardless of which test they took.

3. Scholarship Eligibility

Many scholarship organizations specify minimum test score requirements. Concordance tables enable students who took only one test to determine if they meet scholarship criteria listed for the other test, expanding access to financial aid opportunities.

4. Athletic Eligibility (NCAA)

The NCAA uses official ACT/SAT concordance tables to determine academic eligibility for student-athletes. Athletes can submit either test score knowing it will be fairly evaluated against division-specific academic standards.

5. Educational Research and Policy

Researchers and policymakers use concordance data to aggregate scores across tests when measuring college readiness at state or national levels. This enables comprehensive analysis of educational outcomes across different testing programs.

6. College Counseling and Guidance

High school counselors use conversion tables to help students build balanced college lists. By understanding score equivalencies, counselors can identify reach, target, and safety schools appropriate for each student's academic profile.

How to Use This Converter

Follow these simple steps to convert your SAT score to its ACT equivalent and understand what the results mean for your college planning:

Step 1: Locate Your SAT Total Score

Find your SAT total score from your official score report. This is the sum of your Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) section score and Math section score, ranging from 400 to 1600. Do not use subscores or individual section scores.

Step 2: Enter Your Score

Input your SAT total score into the calculator field above. The calculator accepts any score between 400 and 1600. Make sure to enter only the total score, not individual section scores.

Step 3: Review Your Converted ACT Score

Click the "Convert to ACT Score" button. The calculator will display your equivalent ACT composite score (1-36 scale) based on official concordance tables. You'll also see the SAT score range that corresponds to this ACT score.

Step 4: Understand the Margin of Error

Remember that concorded scores have a standard error of approximately ±2 ACT points. This means your actual ACT performance might vary by a few points from the converted score. The conversion represents an estimated equivalent, not a guaranteed outcome.

Step 5: Apply to College Planning

Use your converted score to compare college admission requirements, scholarship criteria, and NCAA eligibility standards that may be listed in ACT terms. Cross-reference with college websites to see if your scores fall within their admitted student ranges.

Pro Tip: If you're deciding which test to take, use this converter alongside practice test scores from both exams. Your authentic practice test performance is the best predictor of which test suits you better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SAT to ACT score conversion?

SAT to ACT score conversion, also called concordance, establishes a relationship between SAT and ACT scores by matching scores with the same percentile rank. The official 2018 concordance tables are based on data from 589,753 students who took both tests.

How accurate is SAT to ACT conversion?

The conversion has a standard error of approximately ±2.26 ACT composite score points. This means a concorded score is not a perfect prediction but provides a reliable comparison based on percentile rankings. Individual performance may vary due to test format differences and personal strengths.

Can I use concorded scores for college applications?

Yes, colleges use official concordance tables to compare applicants who submit different tests. Most U.S. colleges accept both SAT and ACT scores equally and apply concordance internally. However, concorded scores should not be the only factor in college decisions—admission offices consider multiple factors holistically.

Is a 1500 SAT equal to a 34 ACT?

Yes, according to the official 2018 concordance table, an SAT score of 1500 corresponds to an ACT composite score of 34. The SAT score range of 1490-1520 all convert to ACT 34, making these scores equivalent in terms of percentile ranking.

Should I take the SAT or ACT?

The choice depends on your individual strengths and preferences. The SAT offers more time per question and does not include a separate science section, while the ACT has a dedicated science reasoning section and faster pacing. Try official practice tests of both exams to determine which format suits your skills better.

Can I superscore across SAT and ACT?

No, the College Board and ACT strongly discourage superscoring across different tests. Superscoring combines your best section scores from multiple test dates, but combining scores from SAT and ACT is imprecise and not recommended by either testing organization or admission professionals.

What SAT score equals a 36 ACT?

An ACT composite score of 36 (perfect score) corresponds to an SAT score range of 1570-1600, with 1590 as the single-point comparison score. This means SAT scores of 1570 or higher are considered equivalent to a perfect 36 ACT.

How was the concordance table created?

The 2018 concordance was developed using equipercentile methods on data from 589,753 graduating seniors who took both tests. The sample was statistically weighted to reflect the demographics, school characteristics, and academic performance of all test-takers, ensuring representative results.

Do colleges prefer SAT or ACT scores?

Most U.S. colleges and universities accept both SAT and ACT scores equally without preference. They use concordance tables to compare scores fairly across different tests during the admission process. Submit whichever test reflects your abilities best.

Can I convert section scores separately?

Yes, official concordance tables exist for SAT Math to ACT Math and SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) to ACT English+Reading scores. However, this calculator focuses on total/composite scores since these are most commonly used for admission decisions.

Official Sources & References

This converter uses data from the following official sources:

About the Author

This calculator was developed by Adam, an educational technology specialist focused on creating accessible tools for students and educators.

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