Quick Answer

An SAT score of 1200 converts to approximately ACT 25, and an ACT score of 30 converts to approximately SAT 1370, based on the official College Board concordance table.

SAT to ACT

SAT Score (400 – 1600)

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ACT to SAT

ACT Score (9 – 36)

Common Examples

Input	Result
SAT 1200	Approximately ACT 25
SAT 1400	Approximately ACT 31
ACT 30	Approximately SAT 1370
SAT 1600 (perfect)	ACT 36 (perfect)
SAT 1050	Approximately ACT 20

How It Works

The concordance table

The College Board and ACT, Inc. jointly developed the SAT-ACT concordance table in 2018. It is based on performance data from students who took both the redesigned SAT (post-March 2016) and the ACT. The table pairs scores that represent the same percentile rank on each test.

Key concordance values from the official table:

SAT Total	ACT Composite	SAT Total	ACT Composite
1600	36	1140	23
1570	36	1110	22
1530	35	1080	21
1500	34	1040	20
1460	33	1010	19
1430	32	970	18
1400	31	930	17
1370	30	890	16
1340	29	850	15
1310	28	800	14
1280	27	750	13
1250	26	710	12
1210	25	670	11
1180	24	630	10

For scores that fall between table entries, this converter uses linear interpolation. For example, an SAT score of 1350 falls between 1340 (ACT 29) and 1370 (ACT 30). The interpolation produces 29.33, which rounds to ACT 29.

Worked example

A student scored 1250 on the SAT and wants to know the ACT equivalent. Looking up 1250 in the concordance table, it maps directly to ACT 26. The approximate percentile for this score is around 85th percentile.

Going the other direction, a student with an ACT score of 28 can look up the concordance: ACT 28 maps to SAT 1310. That single value represents the best statistical equivalent from the concordance data.

Limitations

The concordance reflects statistical equivalence across large populations. Individual results may vary. Section-level concordances (SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing vs. ACT English, for example) exist separately and are not included here. This converter uses the total/composite concordance only.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is the SAT-ACT concordance table?

The concordance table is the official conversion published jointly by the College Board and ACT, Inc. It is based on empirical data from students who took both tests. It provides the best available statistical equivalence, but individual performance may differ between the two tests depending on a student's strengths.

Is the SAT or ACT easier?

Neither test is objectively easier. The SAT emphasizes evidence-based reasoning with longer reading passages and a no-calculator math section. The ACT includes a science section and has stricter time limits per question. Students often perform better on one test based on their individual strengths, which is why taking a practice test of each can be helpful.

Do colleges prefer one test over the other?

Nearly all US colleges accept both the SAT and ACT equally. Admissions offices use concordance tables to compare scores, so a concordant SAT and ACT score carry the same weight. Some students submit both, but there is generally no advantage to one test over the other.

Can I superscore between the SAT and ACT?

No. Superscoring combines the best section scores from multiple sittings of the same test. You cannot mix SAT section scores with ACT section scores. However, many colleges do superscore within each test separately, so you can submit your best section scores from multiple SAT attempts or multiple ACT attempts.

When was this concordance table last updated?

The current concordance table was published in 2018 after the SAT was redesigned in March 2016. It remains the most recent official concordance. If either test undergoes a significant format change, the College Board and ACT, Inc. may publish updated concordance data.