Are SAT and ACT concordance tables official?

College Board and ACT have jointly published concordance tables so colleges can compare scores from the two exams. They are periodically updated, and any converted score is an approximation rather than an exact equivalent, because the two exams measure somewhat different things.

Should I submit the score that converts higher?

Yes. Colleges accept the SAT and the ACT equally, so if one of your scores converts to a meaningfully higher equivalent, submit that one. If the two are within a few concordance points of each other, the choice makes little practical difference.

SAT to ACT Score Converter (Free Concordance Tool)

Convert a score

Pick which exam you have a score for, then enter it.

I have a score for

ACT composite (9 to 36)

How to read a converted score: concordance tables let colleges compare an SAT score with an ACT score, but the two exams are not identical, so a conversion is an approximation, not an exact translation. Treat it as a range, not a single number.

The practical use is simple. If you have taken both exams, convert them and submit whichever lands higher. Colleges accept either one equally.

Full SAT to ACT conversion table

This is the same data the tool above uses. It reflects the concordance published jointly by College Board and ACT, condensed into ranges.

Reading the percentile column

Percentile counts how many test takers scored below you, so higher is better. The 99th percentile is the top 1 percent. The 1st percentile is near the bottom. If you want a target rather than a comparison, see what counts as a good SAT score or a good ACT score.

Percentiles are approximate and shift slightly year to year. Use each college's published score range when judging whether a score is competitive there.
ACT composite	SAT total	National percentile (approx.)

Common conversions people look up

An ACT 36 converts to about an SAT 1570 to 1600, the top fraction of a percent on either exam.
An ACT 34 converts to about an SAT 1490 to 1520, in range for the most selective universities.
An ACT 30 converts to about an SAT 1360 to 1380, roughly the 93rd percentile.
An ACT 24 converts to about an SAT 1160 to 1190, just above the national middle.
An ACT 20 converts to about an SAT 1030 to 1050, close to the national average on both exams.

Using this while you study

The most useful moment for this tool is early. Take one timed practice section of each exam, convert both results, and see which one already puts you further ahead. That comparison is usually more informative than guessing which test suits you, and it costs you an afternoon rather than a testing fee.

What a conversion does not tell you

A converted score answers one narrow question: what this result would look like on the other exam's scale. It does not tell you which exam you would score better on if you prepared for it. Those are different questions, and the second one depends on pacing, question style, and how you work under time. The SAT vs ACT comparison covers that in detail.

It also does not tell you whether a score is good enough for a particular school. National percentiles describe the whole testing population; a college's admitted range describes its own applicants. Always check the published range for the schools on your list.

Frequently asked questions

What is a 30 ACT in SAT terms?

Roughly an SAT total of 1360 to 1380, near the 93rd percentile nationally.

What SAT score equals a 24 ACT?

Roughly 1160 to 1190, a little above the middle of the national distribution on both exams.

Are these concordance tables official?

College Board and ACT jointly publish concordance data so that colleges can compare scores across the two exams. It is updated periodically, and any single converted number is an approximation, since the two tests do not measure identical things.

Should I submit whichever score converts higher?

Yes. Colleges accept both exams equally, so if one converts meaningfully higher, send that one. If they land within a few points of each other, it makes little practical difference.

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