SAT to ACT Score Conversion

January 16, 2029

Converting your SAT score to an ACT score is a valuable part of figuring out which test to take. If you're reading this, it's likely you're weighing the pros and cons of both, trying to determine which one is best in light of your skills, capabilities, and undergraduate goals. Have you taken practice exams for both tests? Are you familiar with the ins and outs of how each one works and the areas it evaluates? There's a lot to consider when making this important decision.

You can use score conversion to discover how you'd potentially do on the ACT if you were to sit for the exam. While the two tests are different, there's a way to determine your prospective ACT score from your SAT score by using a formula we'll explore in this article.

This topic also brings larger questions about both exams into focus, such as: What are their main differences and similarities? How is each one scored? What are their advantages and disadvantages in relation to your aptitudes and skills? Let's dive in further to help you decide which test is right for you!

SAT vs. ACT: The Basics

Since the SAT and ACT are the two primary exams for undergraduate admission, and both are accepted by all U.S. colleges and universities, it's important to understand how they compare. Below is a breakdown of the main differences, including testing time, section order, time per section, number of questions, scoring, cost, and school acceptance. Make note of any information you didn't know, as many students find they have preconceived notions about the exams that often may not be true.

	SAT	ACT
Total Time	2 hours, 14 minutes	2 hours, 5 minutes 2 hours, 45 minutes w/Science or Writing (both optional) 3 hours, 25 minutes w/Science and Writing (both optional)
Section Order	Reading & Writing Math	English Math Reading Science or Writing Writing (if taking both optional sections)
Time per Section	Reading & Writing: 64 mins Module 1: 32 mins Module 2: 32 mins Math: 70 minutes Module 1: 35 mins Module 2: 35 mins	English: 35 minutes Math: 50 minutes Reading: 40 minutes Science (optional): 40 minutes Writing (optional): 40 minutes
Number of Questions	Reading & Writing 54 questions Math: 44 questions	English: 50 questions Math: 45 questions Reading: 36 questions Science (optional): 40 questions Writing (optional): 1 essay
Scoring	Total Scoring Range: 400-1600	Total Scoring Range: 1-36
Cost	$68	$68 $4 Science Add-on $25 Writing Add-on
School Acceptance	All U.S. colleges and universities	All U.S. colleges and universities

ACT Scoring

Do you understand how the ACT test is scored? Before we delve into converting scores, let's examine how its composite (total) scores are determined. As you can see, a scaled score of 1 to 36 is created from raw English, Math, Reading, and Science scores. (The top raw score in each section is lower than its total number of questions because a small number that are being tested for future exams aren't scored.) To get the composite, the scaled English, Math, and Reading scores are averaged. Science is optional, as is the differently-scored Writing section, so their scores are not included in the total. This chart is a representative example from a practice test on the ACT website. Different test administrations have different raw-to-scaled score conversion charts with slight variations.

Scaled ACT Score	English Raw Score	Math Raw Score	Reading Raw Score	Science Raw Score
36	40	40-41	27	34
35	38-39	39	26	33
34	__________	37-38	25	32
33	37	36	__________	31
32	__________	35	24	30
31	36	34	__________	29
30	__________	33	23	28
29	35	31-32	__________	27
28	34	30	22	26
27	33	28-29	__________	25
26	32	27	21	24
25	31	26	20	22-23
24	30	25	19	21
23	29	24	18	19-20
22	27-28	23	17	18
21	26	22	16	17
20	24-25	21	15	16

Clearly, the best way to improve your scaled ACT score is to enhance your performance on the sections of the exam included in the composite.

SAT Scoring

SAT scoring is based on two sections, Reading & Writing and Math, that are both worth 200 to 800 points. They are added together, so the worst total score you can get on the SAT is 400, and 1600 is a perfect score. The exam has an adaptive format, meaning each of the sections is divided into two modules, and the difficulty of the second module in each section is determined by how well the test taker does on the first. Scores are calculated based on several factors, including the difficulty of the questions answered, so two people could answer the same total number of questions correctly, but still have different scores.

SAT to ACT Conversion

Here we are, the part you've been waiting for. The conversion chart below shows an SAT score range and its corresponding ACT score. Please note: This table only goes down to an ACT result of 20, as we know this article is for top scorers.

SAT Total Score	ACT Composite (Total) Score
1570-1600	36
1530-1560	35
1490-1520	34
1450-1480	33
1420-1440	32
1390-1410	31
1360-1380	30
1330-1350	29
1300-1320	28
1260-1290	27
1230-1250	26
1200-1220	25
1160-1190	24
1130-1150	23
1100-1120	22
1060-1090	21
1030-1050	20

Advantages of Both Tests

When considering both exams, it's important to keep in mind the reasons why some students choose to take one over the other. Following are advantages for each test that will appear on pros and cons lists as you determine which one is right for you. Do you see any of yours on them?

Advantages of taking the SAT:

More time per question than the ACT
Doesn't cover as many math concepts as the ACT
Students who took the PSAT will be familiar with the SAT's format
Some states require the SAT, as do some scholarships
Some post-undergraduate job prospects may require an SAT score

Advantages of taking the ACT:

Lighter on algebra than the SAT
Language skills focus over memorizing vocabulary words for the SAT
Optional Science and Writing can be helpful for college applications, particularly for schools/areas of study that emphasize those skills
Students can take a paper and pencil exam if they prefer, while the SAT is all-digital
Like the SAT, some states and scholarships require an ACT score

The Takeaway

At the end of the day, you have to go with the test that's the best match for your academic skills and college admission goals. Although it may seem daunting and time-consuming, determining which test plays to your strengths and makes you look better on paper is well worth the investment. Thankfully, this SAT to ACT conversion table can help you find out where you stand in relation to either exam.