SAT/ACT Score Converter
Convert between SAT and ACT composite scores using concordance.
About SAT/ACT Score Converter
The two tests are concorded using tables derived from students who sat both, and the relationship is close to linear across the middle of the range. Conversions at the extremes are less reliable. Most institutions accept either test, so converting reveals which of your two scores presents more favourably.
Formula
SAT/ACT Score
Concordance maps the two scales approximately linearly across their common range
- concordance
- Official tables published jointly by the two testing bodies
- composite
- ACT composite is the mean of four section scores
Worked example
With the default values below, SAT/ACT Score Converter returns Converted Score of 22.1. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- SAT total scoreaccepts 400–1,600
- 1,300
- Conversion directionone of SAT to ACT, ACT to SAT
- SAT to ACT
- ACT composite scoreaccepts 1–36
- 28
Results
- Converted Score
- 22.1
- Approximate Percentile
- 78.8%
- SAT Equivalent
- 1,300
- ACT Equivalent
- 22.1
- Competitiveness Band
- Moderately selective institutions
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2SAT/ACT Score
- 3Converted Score= 22.1
- 4Approximate Percentile= 78.8
- 5SAT Equivalent= 1,300
- 6ACT Equivalent= 22.1
- 7Competitiveness Band= Moderately selective institutions
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
- In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
- Figures are rounded for display to 1 decimal place, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is SAT/ACT Score calculated?
Concordance maps the two scales approximately linearly across their common range The two tests are concorded using tables derived from students who sat both, and the relationship is close to linear across the middle of the range. Conversions at the extremes are less reliable.
Why does SAT/ACT Score matter?
Most institutions accept either test, so converting reveals which of your two scores presents more favourably.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 3 inputs: SAT total score, Conversion direction, ACT composite score. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.