Converting ACT Scores to SAT Scores
The ACT and SAT are very different, but you can make a rough conversion
With the table below, you can convert ACT reading and math scores into SAT reading and math scores. The equivalencies were calculated simply by using each score's corresponding percentile. Continue reading below the table for a discussion of these conversion numbers.
Also be sure to read What's a Good SAT Score? and What's a Good ACT Score? These articles will help explain what scores you're likely to need for different types of colleges and universities.
Convert ACT to SAT
To get some more granular data for the ACT, check out the national norms here on the ACT website. For the SAT, visit the Understanding Your Scores page on the SAT website and click through to the latest percentile rankings for the exam.
Students often want to know what their ACT scores mean when compared to the scores of the SAT (and vice-versa).
If, however, we look at the percentage of students who score below a certain score, we can make an attempt at comparison. For example, on the SAT Math section, 50% of students scored a 500 or lower.
On the ACT Math section the 50% line falls just below a score of 19. Thus, a 19 on the ACT math section is roughly comparable to a 510 on the SAT math section.
In short, the data in the table above should be taken for what it is worth. It is just a quick and crude way to see what SAT and ACT scores fall into similar percentiles.
Converting ACT Scores to SAT Scores
The ACT and SAT are very different, but you can make a rough conversion
With the table below, you can convert ACT reading and math scores into SAT reading and math scores. The equivalencies were calculated simply by using each score's corresponding percentile. Continue reading below the table for a discussion of these conversion numbers.
Also be sure to read What's a Good SAT Score? and What's a Good ACT Score? These articles will help explain what scores you're likely to need for different types of colleges and universities.
Convert ACT to SAT
To get some more granular data for the ACT, check out the national norms here on the ACT website. For the SAT, visit the Understanding Your Scores page on the SAT website and click through to the latest percentile rankings for the exam.
Students often want to know what their ACT scores mean when compared to the scores of the SAT (and vice-versa).
If, however, we look at the percentage of students who score below a certain score, we can make an attempt at comparison. For example, on the SAT Math section, 50% of students scored a 500 or lower.
On the ACT Math section the 50% line falls just below a score of 19. Thus, a 19 on the ACT math section is roughly comparable to a 510 on the SAT math section.
In short, the data in the table above should be taken for what it is worth. It is just a quick and crude way to see what SAT and ACT scores fall into similar percentiles.