Calculator Tool
SAT to ACT Score Converter
Convert between SAT and ACT scores instantly using the official 2018 College Board/ACT concordance. Use this calculator alongside our reference conversion chart for planning which test to take.
Converted ACT Score
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based on the 2018 College Board/ACT concordance study
Converted SAT Score
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based on the 2018 College Board/ACT concordance study
Why this isn't a perfect equivalence
Concordance tables are built using percentile-equating methodology. This means they show which SAT and ACT scores place you at the same percentile rank among test-takers, not that the two scores are identical or interchangeable.
Here's the critical distinction: a student with an SAT score of 1420 sits at roughly the 95th percentile, just as a student with an ACT score of 32 does. But this does not mean the two students have identical skills in every section. The SAT emphasizes critical reading and reasoning; the ACT covers more content breadth. A student who converts a high SAT score to an estimated ACT score may score higher or lower on the actual ACT, depending on which format and content areas align better with their strengths.
Use concordance for comparison, not prediction. It answers "Where does my score stand?" not "What would I score on the other test?"
Do colleges accept a converted score?
No. Colleges only accept official test scores that you actually earned: either your real SAT or your real ACT. A converted number is an unofficial planning estimate, not a submittable score.
You use concordance to decide which test to take and to compare your standing across the two tests. Once you submit your official score to a college, admissions offices view that score separately from any converted equivalent. Some colleges superscore within a single test (SAT or ACT) or accept both tests, but they do not mix scores or treat conversions as official submissions. Check your target college's testing policy to see whether they require test scores, are test-optional, or have preferences between SAT and ACT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 1200 SAT the same as what ACT score?
An SAT score of 1200 falls in the 1180–1200 range, which corresponds to an ACT Composite of 24 according to the 2018 official concordance. This means both scores place you at approximately the same percentile (72nd–76th) among test-takers. However, concordance reflects equivalent standing, not predicted performance. You might score higher or lower if you took the actual ACT.
Can colleges tell if I converted my ACT score to SAT?
No. A converted score is a planning tool you use for yourself, not an official submission. Colleges only see the official scores you actually submit: either your real SAT or your real ACT, not a converted number. Concordance conversions are unofficial estimates used for comparison, not for college applications.
Which is easier, the SAT or the ACT?
Neither test is universally easier. The difficulty depends on your strengths. The SAT emphasizes critical reading and reasoning; the ACT covers more content breadth across science and English. Some students perform better on the SAT format and pacing, while others excel on the ACT. The best approach: take a practice test for each and see which score aligns better with your skills.
Do colleges accept a converted SAT or ACT score?
No. Colleges only accept official scores from the testing organizations (College Board for SAT, ACT, Inc. for ACT). A converted number is not an official score and cannot be submitted. Use conversions only to compare your standing across the two tests and to decide which test to take. Submit the actual test score you earned.
Should I submit both SAT and ACT scores?
Submit the test score that presents you most favorably. Colleges do not combine or superscore across SAT and ACT. They treat them as separate results and use whichever score is strongest. Submitting both does not help you unless your scores are equally strong. Check each college's testing policy to see whether they require test scores, are test-optional, or have specific preferences.
How is the concordance table built?
The 2018 ACT/College Board concordance was built using percentile-equating methodology. Researchers analyzed data from hundreds of thousands of students who took both the redesigned SAT and the ACT within a 24-month window. The tables show which SAT and ACT scores correspond to the same percentile rank, not whether a student would achieve the same score on both tests.