What a concordance is
The ACT and SAT measure similar skills on different scales. A concordance links the two by matching percentiles in large groups of students who took both tests. ACT and the College Board released the current tables together in 2018, and colleges still use them to compare applicants who submit different tests. They have not been replaced since the move to the digital SAT and the enhanced ACT, and ACT’s concordance page still points to the 2018 tables.
A concordance is not a prediction. It says that a 29 on the ACT and a 1340 on the SAT represent similar standing among students who took both. It does not mean you would score 1340 if you took the SAT tomorrow.
How the conversion works
SAT → ACT: find the SAT total’s band in Table A1 (rounded to the nearest 10) ACT → SAT: Table A2 gives one SAT score for a single comparison, plus a range
The tables stop at ACT 9 and SAT 590; below that, the two tests can’t be linked reliably.
Worked example
An ACT Composite of 29 converts to an SAT total of 1340 (range 1330–1350). Going the other way, an SAT of 1350 converts to an ACT of 29, and a 1355 is first rounded to 1360, which converts to 30. Small differences near a boundary can shift the result by a point, so read the tables as a guide.
Full conversion chart
| ACT Composite | SAT total range (A1) | SAT single score (A2) |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | 1570–1600 | 1590 |
| 35 | 1530–1560 | 1540 |
| 34 | 1490–1520 | 1500 |
| 33 | 1450–1480 | 1460 |
| 32 | 1420–1440 | 1430 |
| 31 | 1390–1410 | 1400 |
| 30 | 1360–1380 | 1370 |
| 29 | 1330–1350 | 1340 |
| 28 | 1300–1320 | 1310 |
| 27 | 1260–1290 | 1280 |
| 26 | 1230–1250 | 1240 |
| 25 | 1200–1220 | 1210 |
| 24 | 1160–1190 | 1180 |
| 23 | 1130–1150 | 1140 |
| 22 | 1100–1120 | 1110 |
| 21 | 1060–1090 | 1080 |
| 20 | 1030–1050 | 1040 |
| 19 | 990–1020 | 1010 |
| 18 | 960–980 | 970 |
| 17 | 920–950 | 930 |
| 16 | 880–910 | 890 |
| 15 | 830–870 | 850 |
| 14 | 780–820 | 800 |
| 13 | 730–770 | 760 |
| 12 | 690–720 | 710 |
| 11 | 650–680 | 670 |
| 10 | 620–640 | 630 |
| 9 | 590–610 | 590 |
Math section
| ACT Math | SAT Math |
|---|---|
| 36 | 800 |
| 35 | 780 |
| 34 | 760 |
| 33 | 740 |
| 32 | 720 |
| 31 | 710 |
| 30 | 700 |
| 29 | 680 |
| 28 | 660 |
| 27 | 640 |
| 26 | 610 |
| 25 | 590 |
| 24 | 580 |
| 23 | 560 |
| 22 | 540 |
| 21 | 530 |
| 20 | 520 |
| 19 | 510 |
| 18 | 500 |
| 17 | 470 |
| 16 | 430 |
For verbal skills, the tables compare SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing with the sum of ACT English and Reading (2–72), not with a single ACT section.
Tips: which test should you take?
- Take one full practice test of each, score them with the SAT and ACT calculators, and compare with this chart. The test where you rank higher is usually the one to prepare for.
- The digital SAT is shorter and adaptive, with a calculator allowed on all of Math. The enhanced ACT has more time per question and makes Science optional.
- Colleges do not prefer one test over the other. Pick the one you can score higher on and put your prep time there.
Questions students ask
What is a 30 ACT on the SAT?
A 30 ACT Composite concords to 1370 on the SAT (range 1360–1380).
What is a 1200 SAT on the ACT?
A 1200 SAT concords to an ACT Composite of 25.
Is the concordance still valid for the digital SAT and the enhanced ACT?
No newer official tables have been released, and colleges continue to use the 2018 concordance. Treat conversions as approximate, especially near band edges.
Should I send both scores?
Only if both help you. If one score is clearly stronger after converting, most students send that one, subject to each college’s policy.
Sources
Checked: November 2026
Results are estimates for planning. Your school, college or testing organization calculates your official numbers. UpMyGPA is not affiliated with College Board, ACT, LSAC or the AAMC.