ACT to SAT Conversion: A Practical Guide for 2025

With the College Board's digital SAT redesign fully implemented and the ACT continuing to evolve its testing approach, many students find themselves wondering how scores translate between these two major college entrance exams. Whether you've taken one test and are considering the other, or you're trying to understand how your scores stack up, this practical guide will walk you through everything you need to know about ACT to SAT conversion in 2025.

Why Convert Between ACT and SAT Scores?

There are several scenarios where understanding the relationship between ACT and SAT scores becomes valuable:

• Strategic test selection: After taking a practice test for each exam, converting scores helps determine which test format might better showcase your abilities.
• College application planning: Some schools publish admitted student statistics for one test but not the other, making conversion necessary for comparison.
• Scholarship requirements: Certain scholarships may specify minimum scores for one test when you've only taken the other.
• Superscoring opportunities: Understanding how scores translate helps when schools superscore across both tests or when deciding which scores to submit.

The 2025 Official Concordance Tables

The most reliable way to convert between ACT and SAT scores is to use the official concordance tables developed jointly by the College Board and ACT, Inc. These tables are based on statistical analyses of students who have taken both exams, ensuring the most accurate comparison possible.

It's important to note that the 2025 concordance tables reflect the digital SAT format, which differs significantly from the paper version used prior to 2024. If you're using older resources or conversion tools, verify they've been updated for the digital SAT era.

Understanding the Fundamentals of Each Test

Before diving into conversion specifics, it's helpful to understand the fundamental differences between the two exams:

ACT Structure and Scoring

The ACT consists of four required sections plus an optional writing test:

• English (75 questions, 45 minutes)
• Mathematics (60 questions, 60 minutes)
• Reading (40 questions, 35 minutes)
• Science (40 questions, 35 minutes)
• Optional Writing (1 essay, 40 minutes)

Each section receives a score from 1-36, and the composite score is the average of the four required section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. The writing test is scored separately on a scale of 2-12.

Digital SAT Structure and Scoring

The digital SAT, implemented fully in 2024, consists of:

• Reading and Writing (54 questions, 64 minutes)
• Math (44 questions, 70 minutes)

Each section receives a score from 200-800, and the total score ranges from 400-1600. The digital SAT is adaptive, meaning the difficulty of the second module in each section depends on performance in the first module.

Converting ACT to SAT Scores: Step-by-Step

Follow these steps to convert your ACT score to its SAT equivalent:

1. Start with your ACT composite score: This is the rounded average of your four section scores.
2. Use the official concordance table: Find your ACT composite score in the left column and read across to find the corresponding SAT total score.
3. Consider score ranges: Because no conversion is perfect, most concordance tables provide a range of possible SAT scores for each ACT score.
4. Section-specific conversion: For more detailed analysis, you can also convert individual ACT section scores to their SAT section equivalents using section-specific concordance tables.

Quick Reference: ACT to Digital SAT Conversion Highlights

Here are some key conversion points from the 2025 concordance tables:

• ACT 36 = SAT 1570-1600
• ACT 34 = SAT 1500-1550
• ACT 30 = SAT 1370-1400
• ACT 27 = SAT 1280-1300
• ACT 24 = SAT 1170-1190
• ACT 20 = SAT 1030-1050
• ACT 16 = SAT 880-910

Section-Specific Conversions

While composite score conversion is most common, understanding how individual sections translate can provide valuable insights, especially when identifying strengths and weaknesses.

ACT English to SAT Reading and Writing

The ACT English section focuses on grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills. The digital SAT combines reading comprehension and writing into a single section. When converting:

• ACT English 35-36 ≈ SAT Reading and Writing 38-40 (scaled to 760-800)
• ACT English 30-31 ≈ SAT Reading and Writing 33-34 (scaled to 660-680)
• ACT English 24-25 ≈ SAT Reading and Writing 27-28 (scaled to 540-560)

ACT Math to SAT Math

The math sections of both tests cover algebra, problem-solving, and some advanced math concepts, though the digital SAT permits calculator use throughout while the ACT has a no-calculator portion:

• ACT Math 35-36 ≈ SAT Math 38-40 (scaled to 760-800)
• ACT Math 30-31 ≈ SAT Math 33-34 (scaled to 660-680)
• ACT Math 24-25 ≈ SAT Math 27-28 (scaled to 540-560)

ACT Reading and Science

The ACT Reading section focuses on comprehension, while the Science section tests data interpretation and scientific reasoning. Elements of both appear in the digital SAT Reading and Writing section:

• For reading-focused questions, use the ACT Reading to SAT Reading and Writing conversion
• For data interpretation questions, consider both ACT Science and Math scores when estimating SAT performance

Strategic Applications of Score Conversion

Beyond simple comparison, here are strategic ways to use score conversion in your college planning:

Identifying Your Optimal Test

If you've taken practice versions of both tests, convert the scores and compare:

• Higher percentile: Which converted score places you in a higher percentile? This often indicates which test format better suits your abilities.
• Section strengths: If your ACT Science score is significantly stronger than other sections, the ACT might be advantageous since the SAT doesn't have a dedicated science section.
• Timing preferences: The digital SAT generally allows more time per question than the ACT, which might benefit careful test-takers.

College Application Strategy

When applying to colleges:

• Score choice optimization: If you've taken both tests, convert scores to determine which presents you most favorably for each school.
• Targeted retakes: If your converted score falls just below a school's middle 50% range, consider retaking the test where you're closest to the threshold.
• Scholarship qualification: Some merit scholarships have specific test score requirements; conversion helps determine if you qualify through either test.

Limitations of Score Conversion

While concordance tables provide valuable guidance, they have limitations:

• Statistical approximations: Conversions represent typical relationships between scores, not perfect equivalents.
• Individual variation: Your personal performance might vary significantly between test formats regardless of statistical predictions.
• Content differences: The ACT Science section has no direct SAT equivalent, making some aspects of conversion imprecise.
• Adaptive testing impact: The digital SAT's adaptive format creates scoring nuances that traditional concordance tables may not fully capture.

Conclusion: Making Informed Decisions

Understanding ACT to SAT score conversion empowers you to make strategic decisions about test preparation and college applications. The 2025 concordance tables provide the most current and accurate conversion guidance, reflecting the significant changes in the digital SAT format.

Remember that while score conversion is useful, it's just one tool in your college planning toolkit. Consider your personal testing experience, specific college requirements, and overall application strategy when deciding which scores to submit.

For the most personalized guidance, consider consulting with a college admissions counselor who can help interpret your converted scores in the context of your specific target schools and academic profile. With thoughtful application of score conversion principles, you can maximize your testing outcomes and strengthen your college applications.