**Official SAT to ACT Score Conversion (2025)**:.

The **College Board** and **ACT, Inc.** publish an official **concordance table** that allows students to convert SAT scores (1600-point scale) to ACT composite scores (36-point scale).

This table is used by colleges to compare applicants who submit different tests.

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**SAT to ACT Composite Score Conversion Table (2025)**:.

| **SAT Total Score** | **ACT Composite** | **Percentile Rank** | |---------------------|-------------------|---------------------| | 1600 | 36 | 99th percentile | | 1580-1590 | 36 | 99th percentile | | 1570 | 36 | 99th percentile | | 1560 | 35 | 99th percentile | | 1540-1550 | 35 | 99th percentile | | 1520-1530 | 34 | 99th percentile | | 1510 | 34 | 98th percentile | | 1500 | 34 | 98th percentile | | 1490 | 33 | 97th percentile | | 1480 | 33 | 97th percentile | | 1470 | 33 | 97th percentile | | 1460 | 33 | 96th percentile | | 1450 | 32 | 96th percentile | | 1430-1440 | 32 | 95th percentile | | 1420 | 32 | 95th percentile | | 1410 | 31 | 94th percentile | | 1400 | 31 | 93rd percentile | | 1380-1390 | 31 | 93rd percentile | | 1370 | 30 | 92nd percentile | | 1360 | 30 | 91st percentile | | 1350 | 30 | 90th percentile | | 1340 | 30 | 89th percentile | | 1330 | 29 | 88th percentile | | 1310-1320 | 29 | 87th percentile | | 1300 | 29 | 86th percentile | | 1290 | 28 | 85th percentile | | 1280 | 28 | 84th percentile | | 1260-1270 | 28 | 83rd percentile | | 1250 | 27 | 82nd percentile | | 1240 | 27 | 81st percentile | | 1230 | 27 | 79th percentile | | 1220 | 26 | 78th percentile | | 1210 | 26 | 77th percentile | | 1200 | 24 | 73rd percentile | | 1190 | 24 | 72nd percentile | | 1180 | 24 | 70th percentile | | 1170 | 24 | 69th percentile | | 1160 | 23 | 68th percentile | | 1150 | 23 | 67th percentile | | 1140 | 23 | 65th percentile | | 1130 | 23 | 64th percentile | | 1120 | 22 | 62nd percentile | | 1110 | 22 | 61st percentile | | 1100 | 22 | 59th percentile | | 1090 | 21 | 57th percentile | | 1080 | 21 | 56th percentile | | 1070 | 21 | 54th percentile | | 1060 | 21 | 52nd percentile | | 1050 | 20 | 50th percentile | | 1040 | 20 | 48th percentile | | 1030 | 20 | 46th percentile | | 1020 | 19 | 44th percentile | | 1010 | 19 | 42nd percentile | | 1000 | 19 | 40th percentile | | 990 | 18 | 38th percentile | | 980 | 18 | 36th percentile | | 970 | 18 | 34th percentile | | 960 | 18 | 32nd percentile | | 950 | 17 | 30th percentile | | 940 | 17 | 28th percentile | | 930 | 17 | 26th percentile | | 920 | 17 | 24th percentile | | 910 | 16 | 22nd percentile | | 900 | 16 | 20th percentile | | 890 | 16 | 18th percentile | | 880 | 16 | 16th percentile | | 870 | 15 | 14th percentile | | 860 | 15 | 12th percentile | | 850 | 15 | 10th percentile | | 840 | 15 | 8th percentile | | 830 | 14 | 6th percentile | | 820 | 14 | 4th percentile | | 810 | 14 | 2nd percentile | | 800 | 13 | 1st percentile |.

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**How to Use the Conversion Table**:.

**Example 1: SAT 1450 → ACT Conversion**: - **SAT Score**: 1450 (Math 730, Reading/Writing 720). - **ACT Equivalent**: **32** (96th percentile). - **Interpretation**: A 1450 SAT is equivalent to a 32 ACT.

Both scores place you in the **top 4% of test-takers nationally**.

**Example 2: SAT 1200 → ACT Conversion**: - **SAT Score**: 1200 (Math 600, Reading/Writing 600). - **ACT Equivalent**: **24** (73rd percentile). - **Interpretation**: A 1200 SAT is equivalent to a 24 ACT (slightly above national average of 20-21 ACT).

**Example 3: SAT 1570 → ACT Conversion**: - **SAT Score**: 1570 (Math 790, Reading/Writing 780). - **ACT Equivalent**: **36** (99th percentile). - **Interpretation**: A 1570 SAT is equivalent to a perfect 36 ACT (top 1% of test-takers).

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**Section Score Conversion (SAT → ACT)**:.

The total SAT score is split into two sections: - **SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW)**: 200-800. - **SAT Math**: 200-800. - **Total SAT**: 400-1600.

The ACT has four sections: - **ACT English**: 1-36. - **ACT Math**: 1-36. - **ACT Reading**: 1-36. - **ACT Science**: 1-36. - **ACT Composite**: 1-36 (average of all four sections).

**Approximate Section Conversion**:.

| **SAT Section** | **Score** | **ACT Equivalent Section** | **Score** | |-----------------|-----------|----------------------------|-----------| | Math | 800 | ACT Math | 36 | | Math | 750 | ACT Math | 34 | | Math | 700 | ACT Math | 31 | | Math | 650 | ACT Math | 28 | | Math | 600 | ACT Math | 25 | | Math | 550 | ACT Math | 22 | | Math | 500 | ACT Math | 19 | | EBRW | 800 | ACT English + Reading | 36 | | EBRW | 750 | ACT English + Reading | 34 | | EBRW | 700 | ACT English + Reading | 31 | | EBRW | 650 | ACT English + Reading | 28 | | EBRW | 600 | ACT English + Reading | 25 | | EBRW | 550 | ACT English + Reading | 22 | | EBRW | 500 | ACT English + Reading | 19 |.

**⚠️ Important**: The ACT has a **Science section** (which the SAT does not), so there's no direct 1:1 section conversion.

The concordance table primarily converts **total scores** (SAT 1600 → ACT 36 composite).

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**College Admissions Competitiveness (2025)**:.

**Ivy League + Top 10 Universities** (Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Princeton): - **25th percentile**: SAT 1470-1500 / ACT 33-34. - **75th percentile**: SAT 1560-1600 / ACT 35-36. - **Competitive score**: SAT 1500+ / ACT 34+ to be competitive. - **Unhooked applicants**: SAT 1540+ / ACT 35+ for realistic chance (without legacy, athletics, or underrepresented minority status).

**Top 20 Universities** (Duke, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Rice, Cornell): - **25th percentile**: SAT 1400-1450 / ACT 31-32. - **75th percentile**: SAT 1530-1560 / ACT 34-35. - **Competitive score**: SAT 1450+ / ACT 32+ to be competitive.

**Top 50 Universities** (UNC, UT Austin, Georgia Tech, Wisconsin-Madison): - **25th percentile**: SAT 1300-1350 / ACT 28-30. - **75th percentile**: SAT 1450-1500 / ACT 32-34. - **Competitive score**: SAT 1350+ / ACT 30+ to be competitive.

**State Flagship Universities** (Ohio State, Penn State, Florida, Washington): - **25th percentile**: SAT 1200-1250 / ACT 24-26. - **75th percentile**: SAT 1400-1450 / ACT 30-32. - **Competitive score**: SAT 1250+ / ACT 26+ to be competitive.

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**Scholarship Eligibility (Merit-Based Thresholds)**:.

**National Merit Scholarship** (SAT PSAT/NMSQT Qualifier): - **PSAT Score**: 1400-1520 (varies by state). - **SAT Equivalent**: 1450-1550. - **ACT Equivalent**: 32-35.

**Full-Tuition Merit Scholarships** (Top 50 Universities): - **Typical threshold**: SAT 1500+ / ACT 34+ (99th percentile). - **Examples**: - Duke University: SAT 1540+ / ACT 35+ for Robertson Scholars. - Vanderbilt University: SAT 1520+ / ACT 34+ for Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship.

**Partial Merit Scholarships** (State Universities): - **Typical threshold**: SAT 1300-1400 / ACT 28-31. - **Examples**: - University of Alabama: SAT 1420+ / ACT 32+ for full tuition (Presidential Scholarship). - University of South Carolina: SAT 1400+ / ACT 31+ for out-of-state tuition waiver.

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**Bottom Line**: Use the official **concordance table** to convert your SAT score to an ACT composite score.

A **1450 SAT = 32 ACT** (96th percentile), **1200 SAT = 24 ACT** (73rd percentile), and **1570 SAT = 36 ACT** (99th percentile).

For **Ivy League admissions**, aim for **SAT 1500+ / ACT 34+**.

For **merit scholarships**, aim for **SAT 1400+ / ACT 31+** at state universities or **SAT 1500+ / ACT 34+** at top private universities.

**SAT vs ACT: Which Test to Take in 2025?**.

**Short Answer**: Take a **practice test for both SAT and ACT** (official practice tests are free) and submit whichever score is higher relative to the concordance table.

Most students score similarly on both tests, but **5-10% of students score 1-2 points higher on one test** (e.g., SAT 1450 = ACT 32, but they score ACT 33).

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**SAT vs ACT Test Format Comparison (2025)**:.

| **Feature** | **SAT** | **ACT** | |--------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------------| | **Total time** | 2 hours 14 minutes | 2 hours 55 minutes (+ 40 min Writing optional) | | **Sections** | 2 (Reading/Writing, Math) | 4 (English, Math, Reading, Science) | | **Scoring scale** | 400-1600 | 1-36 (composite) | | **Math calculator** | Allowed for entire section | Allowed for entire section | | **Math topics** | Algebra I/II, Geometry, Trig | Algebra I/II, Geometry, Trig | | **Reading passages** | 5 passages (52 questions) | 4 passages (40 questions) | | **Science section** | No | Yes (40 questions, 35 min) | | **Essay** | Optional (removed 2021) | Optional (40 min) | | **Penalty for guessing** | No | No | | **Question difficulty** | Adaptive (harder as you go) | Linear (same difficulty) | | **Pacing** | Slower (more time per question) | Faster (less time per question) |.

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**Who Should Take the SAT?**.

**✅ Take SAT if**: 1. **You prefer more time per question**: - SAT Math: **1.5 minutes/question** (vs ACT 1 minute/question). - SAT Reading: **1.2 minutes/question** (vs ACT 53 seconds/question).

ACT Science is 40 questions in 35 minutes (reading graphs, interpreting data, understanding experiments).

**Example SAT Math Question**: ``` If x² + 6x + 9 = 25, what are the possible values of x? A) -8, 2 B) -2, 8 C) -7, 1 D) -1, 7 ``` **Answer**: C (requires factoring or quadratic formula).

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**Who Should Take the ACT?**.

**✅ Take ACT if**: 1. **You're good at working quickly under pressure**: - ACT is **faster-paced**: 40 questions in 35 minutes for Science, 60 questions in 60 minutes for Math. - SAT gives you more time per question.

It's about **reading graphs, charts, and experiments** (critical thinking + data analysis). - **Example ACT Science Question**: ``` Graph shows temperature (°C) vs reaction rate (mol/s).

At 50°C, the reaction rate is 0.8 mol/s.

What is the reaction rate at 75°C? A) 0.6 mol/s B) 1.0 mol/s C) 1.4 mol/s D) 2.0 mol/s ``` **Answer**: C (requires reading the graph, no chemistry knowledge needed).

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**Take Both Tests (Practice) and Compare Scores**:.

**Strategy**: 1. **Take official SAT practice test** (free on Khan Academy). 2. **Take official ACT practice test** (free on ACT.org). 3. **Convert scores** using concordance table. 4. **Submit higher score** to colleges.

**Example**: - **SAT Practice Score**: 1400 (Math 700, EBRW 700). - **ACT Practice Score**: 32 (English 32, Math 33, Reading 31, Science 32). - **Concordance**: SAT 1400 = ACT 31, but you scored **ACT 32** (1 point higher). - **Strategy**: Focus on **ACT** (you have a natural advantage).

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**Common Myths: SAT vs ACT**:.

**❌ Myth 1: Colleges prefer SAT over ACT (or vice versa)**: - **Truth**: **All U.S. colleges accept both tests equally** (Harvard, MIT, Stanford, etc.).

There is **no preference**. - **Exception**: Some international universities may have a preference (check their websites).

**❌ Myth 2: ACT is easier than SAT**: - **Truth**: They test similar content, but in different formats. **Neither test is objectively easier**.

It depends on your strengths (faster pacing vs more time, science section vs no science, etc.).

**❌ Myth 3: SAT is better for students bad at math**: - **Truth**: SAT Math is actually **harder** (more conceptual, less straightforward).

If you struggle with math, ACT Math might be easier (more plug-and-chug questions).

**❌ Myth 4: You should take whichever test is more popular in your state**: - **Truth**: **Doesn't matter**.

Colleges accept both equally.

Submit whichever score is higher (relative to concordance table).

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**Test Retake Strategy (SAT vs ACT)**:.

**If You Already Took One Test**: - **Score below target**: Retake the **same test** (SAT or ACT) if you were within 50-100 points (SAT) or 2-3 points (ACT) of your goal. - **Score far below target**: Try the **other test** (SAT → ACT or ACT → SAT) to see if you naturally score higher.

**Example**: - **First SAT**: 1300 (target 1450 for Duke University). - **Gap**: 150 points (large). - **Strategy**: Take a practice ACT.

If you score ACT 30+ (equivalent to 1350-1390 SAT), focus on **ACT** instead.

**If You're Close to Your Target**: - **SAT 1450** (target 1500 for Ivy League): - **Strategy**: Retake SAT 1-2 more times.

Focus on **weak section** (Math or EBRW). - **Expected improvement**: 20-50 points per retake (if you study targeted weaknesses).

Focus on **weak section** (English, Math, Reading, or Science). - **Expected improvement**: 1-2 composite points per retake.

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**Superscoring (SAT vs ACT)**:.

**SAT Superscoring** (Most Common): - **Definition**: Colleges take your **best Math + best EBRW** across all SAT test dates. - **Example**: - Test 1: SAT 1400 (Math 650, EBRW 750). - Test 2: SAT 1420 (Math 720, EBRW 700). - **Superscore**: 720 + 750 = **1470**.

**ACT Superscoring** (Less Common): - **Definition**: Colleges take your **best English, Math, Reading, Science** across all ACT test dates and recalculate composite. - **Supported by**: MIT, Duke, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech (check each college's policy). - **Example**: - Test 1: ACT 31 (English 32, Math 28, Reading 33, Science 31). - Test 2: ACT 30 (English 29, Math 33, Reading 30, Science 29). - **Superscore**: (32 + 33 + 33 + 31) ÷ 4 = **32.25** → rounds to **32** (ACT rounds down).

**⚠️ Check College Superscoring Policies**: - **Most colleges superscore SAT** (including Ivy League). - **Fewer colleges superscore ACT** (about 50-60% of top universities).

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**Bottom Line**: **Take practice tests for both SAT and ACT** (free online) and submit whichever score is higher relative to the concordance table. **Most students score similarly on both tests**, but **5-10% score 1-2 points higher on one test**.

If you **prefer more time per question** and **struggle with science**, take the **SAT**.

If you **work quickly under pressure** and are **strong at data interpretation**, take the **ACT**. **Colleges have no preference** between SAT and ACT—submit your higher score.