Convert any ACT score (1–36) to its SAT equivalent (400–1600) and back, using the official ACT/College Board concordance. Drag the sliders below for an instant answer, or open the full chart for a detailed breakdown of every score.
This is the official concordance between the ACT composite (1–36) and the SAT total (400–1600). Click any score to open a full breakdown — section-by-section conversion, what colleges it puts in range, and whether to retake.
| ACT Composite | SAT Total | Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | 1570–1600 | 99+ |
| 35 | 1530–1560 | 99 |
| 34 | 1490–1520 | 99 |
| 33 | 1450–1480 | 98 |
| 32 | 1420–1440 | 97 |
| 31 | 1390–1410 | 95 |
| 30 | 1360–1380 | 93 |
| 29 | 1330–1350 | 90 |
| 28 | 1300–1320 | 88 |
| 27 | 1260–1290 | 85 |
| 26 | 1230–1250 | 82 |
| 25 | 1200–1220 | 78 |
| 24 | 1160–1190 | 74 |
| 23 | 1130–1150 | 70 |
| 22 | 1100–1120 | 65 |
| 21 | 1060–1090 | 60 |
| 20 | 1030–1050 | 55 |
| 19 | 990–1020 | 50 |
| 18 | 960–980 | 45 |
| 17 | 920–950 | 40 |
| 16 | 880–910 | 35 |
The concordance tables are produced jointly by ACT and the College Board from a large group of students who took both tests. Because the two exams measure overlapping but not identical skills, a conversion tells you the SAT total that represents the same level of achievement as your ACT — as a range, not a single guaranteed number.
Only the overlapping content is compared. ACT English and Reading map onto the Digital SAT Reading & Writing section, and ACT Math maps onto SAT Math. ACT Science has no SAT equivalent, so it doesn't factor into the total-score conversion. The Digital SAT keeps the same 400–1600 scale as the paper SAT, so the same concordance applies to both.
Pick a score to see what it converts to, where it ranks, and how competitive it is — then open the full breakdown for a college-by-college view.
A 30 ACT is top 15% — competitive at many selective schools, but below Ivy/top-10 range.
See the full 30 ACT → SAT breakdown →Colleges accept both tests equally and use the concordance above to compare them, so there's no "better" score to report — the real question is which test fits you. The most reliable way to decide is to take a timed practice section of each, convert your results to the same scale with the tool above, and see where you naturally score higher.
The two tests are built differently. The Digital SAT has just two sections — Reading & Writing and Math — with more time per question, shorter passages, and an on-screen graphing calculator for all of the math. It's adaptive and runs about 2 hours 14 minutes. The ACT has four sections — English, Math, Reading, and a dedicated Science section — moves at a noticeably faster pace, and tends to ask more straightforward questions across a slightly broader range of math.
Students who do best on the SAT usually like having time to think. They're comfortable with close, evidence-based reading and algebra-heavy math, and they prefer a shorter test. If you're a careful, methodical worker who doesn't want to feel rushed, the SAT tends to reward that.
Students who do best on the ACT are typically fast, confident test-takers. They're strong at reading graphs and interpreting data — the Science section is really data analysis, not memorized facts — and comfortable switching quickly between subjects. If you routinely finish sections with time to spare and are steady with geometry and trigonometry, the ACT can be the better fit.
Whichever you pick, commit to one. Splitting your preparation across both tests almost always produces a lower score on each. Take one full-length practice test of each under real timing, convert the results with the tool above, and then put all of your energy into the test where you scored higher — or simply felt more in control.
Just curious what your score means beyond college admissions? Convert it to an estimated IQ with the SAT to IQ converter or the ACT to IQ converter.
Quick checklist: SAT or ACT?
Whichever column sounds more like you points to your test.
| Lean toward the SAT if… | Lean toward the ACT if… |
|---|---|
| ✓You want more time to work through each question | ✓You work quickly and rarely run out of time |
| ✓You're strong at close, evidence-based reading | ✓You're strong at reading graphs, tables, and data |
| ✓Your math strengths are algebra and data analysis | ✓You're comfortable with geometry and trigonometry |
| ✓You prefer a shorter, two-section test (2h 14m) | ✓You don't mind more questions at a brisk pace |
| ✓You like an on-screen calculator for all of math | ✓You're happy switching between four subjects |
| ✓A calm, methodical pace suits you best | ✓Science-style data questions feel natural to you |
The concordance tables are built by ACT and the College Board from students who took both tests, so they represent statistically comparable achievement levels — not exact one-to-one matches. Treat a conversion as a range, not a single guaranteed number.
Yes. The Digital SAT keeps the same 400–1600 scale as the paper SAT, so the same ACT/SAT concordance applies whether you took the paper or digital version.
Report whichever is higher after converting to the same scale. Colleges accept both equally and use these same concordance tables to compare applicants, so submit the score that places you higher in the applicant pool.
Neither is universally better — it comes down to your strengths. The ACT is faster-paced and has a dedicated science section; the SAT gives more time per question. Take a short practice test of each and commit to the one where you score higher after converting.
There is no official limit, and most students take a test two or three times. Because nearly all colleges consider your best sitting (and many superscore), a retake can generally only help — plan for two attempts spaced a couple of months apart.