Comparing SAT and ACT Results Through Concordance

College admissions in the United States revolve heavily around standardized testing, and two dominant exams—the SAT and the ACT—offer students alternate pathways to demonstrate readiness for postsecondary study. While institutions frequently accept either test, applicants and counselors often wish to compare scores directly to gauge competitiveness or to determine which exam better reflects a student’s strengths. Because the SAT and ACT employ different formats, content emphases, and scoring scales, direct numerical comparison is meaningless without a concordance, a statistical linkage that maps scores from one test to approximate equivalents on the other. This converter implements such a concordance, allowing you to enter a total SAT score or an ACT composite and receive a corresponding value derived from publicly released data.

Concordance is grounded in the assumption that the tests measure similar underlying abilities, primarily reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, and, in the ACT’s case, a science component that overlaps with analytical skills assessed elsewhere. Testing agencies periodically conduct studies where large samples of students take both exams. Using equipercentile linking—a method that aligns scores based on the percentage of test takers achieving at or below a given score—the agencies publish tables translating ranges. For example, if 85% of students score below a particular SAT value and 85% score below a certain ACT value, those two scores are considered concordant. Formally, if $\mathrm{P\_\{SAT\}}$ and $\mathrm{P\_\{ACT\}}$ denote percentile functions, concordance seeks values where $$\mathrm{P\_\{SAT\}(s)}=\mathrm{P\_\{ACT\}(a)}$$. The tables embedded in this page derive from such analyses, though they are simplified for usability.

The SAT currently reports a total score on a scale from 400 to 1600, combining two section scores—Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math—each ranging from 200 to 800. The ACT composite spans 1 to 36, averaging four section scores (English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science) each between 1 and 36. Because of these structural differences, concordance tables typically present ranges rather than exact one-to-one mappings. To keep the interface straightforward, the JavaScript implementation uses the lower bound of each SAT range that corresponds to a given ACT score. When converting from SAT to ACT, the algorithm scans the table from highest to lowest and returns the ACT value for the first SAT threshold not exceeding the entered score. For the reverse conversion, it simply retrieves the SAT threshold associated with the specified ACT composite. This approach approximates the midpoint of official ranges and suffices for planning and comparative purposes.

The following table summarizes a commonly referenced concordance between SAT totals and ACT composites. Note that the SAT column lists the minimum SAT score typically associated with the ACT score shown, so a 33 on the ACT aligns with an SAT in the high 1400s. Actual admission standards may consider ranges; always consult official resources for precise requirements.

ACT	Approx. SAT	ACT	Approx. SAT
36	1600	18	870
35	1560	17	830
34	1510	16	790
33	1460	15	750
32	1420	14	710
31	1370	13	670
30	1330	12	630
29	1290	11	590
28	1260	10	550
27	1220	9	510
26	1190	8	470
25	1150	7	430
24	1110	6	390
23	1070	5	350
22	1030	4	310
21	990	3	270
20	950	2	230
19	910	1	200

Using the converter is straightforward. Suppose a student has an SAT total of 1280 and wants to know the equivalent ACT composite. Entering 1280 in the SAT field and clicking convert triggers the script, which steps through the table and returns 28 as the estimated ACT score. If another student has an ACT composite of 31, entering that value in the ACT box yields an approximate SAT total of 1370. The calculations are merely lookups; no remote server or database is involved, ensuring quick results and data privacy.

It is important to recognize that concorded scores are estimates. Admissions committees evaluate applicants holistically, considering grade point average, course rigor, essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, and contextual factors. Moreover, the SAT and ACT are periodically redesigned. When the SAT overhauled its structure in 2016 and when the ACT adjusted reporting methods, new concordance studies were required. Our table reflects a widely accepted post-2018 linkage, but future revisions may shift these correspondences slightly. Always reference the latest concordance charts provided by the College Board and ACT when accuracy is critical.

Beyond admissions, concordance aids in scholarship eligibility determinations, athletic qualification, and state accountability measures. Schools might use converted scores to report a unified metric when students submit mixed test results. Advisors counseling students on whether to switch tests after an initial attempt can estimate potential gains by examining the table. Some learners perform markedly better on one format than the other due to differences in pacing, question style, or comfort with science passages. A student scoring 1200 on the SAT (roughly a 25 on the ACT) who then earns a 28 on the ACT demonstrates a genuine improvement, not just a result of different scales.

From a statistical perspective, concordance underscores how norm-referenced tests are linked by their percentile distributions. If $\mathrm{F\_\{SAT\}}$ and $\mathrm{F\_\{ACT\}}$ represent cumulative distribution functions, an equipercentile conversion sets $$\mathrm{F\_\{SAT\}(s)}=\mathrm{F\_\{ACT\}(a)}$$. Solving for $a$ in terms of $s$ yields the table values. While the page hides this complexity, the concept provides a gentle introduction to quantile mapping and statistical normalization.

The simplicity of the interface belies the effort behind official concordance studies. Researchers must ensure representative samples, control for test order effects, and account for preparation disparities. They often employ smoothing techniques to mitigate irregularities in score distributions. Once published, concordance tables become staples of counseling offices and test-preparation materials. By reproducing the essence of those tables in a compact, client-side tool accompanied by a detailed explanation, this page offers both utility and insight. Users are encouraged to experiment with various scores to develop intuition about how shifts on one exam map to the other.

Ultimately, whether you prefer the SAT’s emphasis on evidence-based reading or the ACT’s straightforward math pacing, the ability to translate scores empowers better decision making. Understanding concordance demystifies the relationship between the exams and fosters an equitable comparison among applicants who choose different testing paths. Use the converter as a starting point for planning, but pair it with thorough research into each institution’s policies and the broader dimensions of academic readiness.