ACT to SAT Conversion Chart

The SATs and ACTs are two different examinations that students must take for admission to a college in the United States. There is no benefit to taking one test over the other, as all universities accept both the ACT and the SAT. 

Students consider taking both the SAT and the ACT, but this isn’t always a viable solution due to the limitations of time and finances. Many students wonder about the SAT to ACT score conversion, but let us first look at the differences between these two tests. This will help you decide which is the better fit for you: 

Differences between ACT and SAT

• The content of the test

The ACT has a science portion, but the SAT does not. The SAT does measure scientific skills in several other parts, but unlike the ACT, it does not contain a separate science component. The ACT science component focuses on critical thinking and assesses students’ analytical abilities.

• Instrumentation

A math element is included in both assessments. The common topics in both tests are geometry and trigonometry. SAT will also feature data analysis.  On the other hand, the ACT will include questions about probability and statistics. The ACT does not allow a calculator in any math portions, which is a significant distinction between the two tests. The SAT is divided into two sections: non-calculator and calculator.

•  The scoring system

The SAT is graded on a scale of 400 to 1600, whereas the ACT is graded on a scale of 1 to 36. It’s also essential to understand that you’ll only be scored for the correct answers on both examinations. 

•  Duration

With three hours without the essay and three hours and 50 minutes with the essay, the SAT is the lengthier of the two tests. The ACT takes three hours and 35 minutes with the writing part and three hours without it.

ACT	SAT
English: 45 mins Math: 60 mins Reading: 35 mins Science: 35 mins Writing (optional): 40 mins	Reading: 65 mins Writing and language: 35 mins Math (no calculator): 25 mins Math (calculator): 55 mins Essay (optional): 50 mins

• Cost 

Although the costs of each exam differ just a little, they may influence whether you take both or just one.

ACT	SAT
$63.00 without writing $88.00 with writing	$47.50 without an essay $64.50 with an essay

ACT to SAT Score Conversion 

The ACT to SAT score conversion aids in determining a candidate’s overall performance on these examinations. Official concordance tables for converting SAT and ACT results have been released by the ACT and College Board. The SAT and the ACT are standardized examinations needed to enroll in college courses, and applicants frequently mistake the two. The SAT to ACT conversion 2020 provides information on candidates’ performance levels. It assists candidates in deciding which scores to send to various colleges for consideration.

The Reasons behind ACT to SAT Conversion 2020

The primary reason for analyzing the ACT to SAT conversion is to determine which test is best for you. After the ACT to SAT conversion, students may concentrate on only one exam rather than studying for both. The SAT to ACT conversion 2020 also provides information on how an applicant performed on one exam to another other. Candidates, for example, can use a single SAT practice test score; an SAT to ACT score conversion can be done. If the difference in scores between the two examinations is significant, the candidate might pick which exam to take.

The SAT is scored from 400-1600, while the ACT is scored from 1-36. Students frequently ask for an easy way to convert SAT-ACT scores. The ACT to SAT conversion 2020 charts do just that! 

Note: Remember that the ACT and SAT are distinct tests. The ACT emphasizes the school curriculum and academic achievements, whereas the SAT emphasizes broad speaking and mathematical thinking skills. There is no meaningful method to compare the examinations or their results. Bear in mind that the charts following do not equate scores but serve as a valuable tool for assessing comparable scores.

Let us look at the conversion table given by ACT and the College Board for ACT to SAT conversion or SAT to ACT score conversion.

SAT	ACT	SAT	ACT	SAT	ACT
1600	36	1250	26	900	17
1590	35	1240	26	890	16
1580	35	1230	25	880	16
1570	35	1220	25	870	16
1560	35	1210	25	860	16
1550	34	1200	25	850	15
1540	34	1190	24	840	15
1530	34	1180	24	830	15
1520	34	1170	24	820	15
1510	33	1160	24	810	15
1500	33	1150	23	800	14
1490	33	1140	23	790	14
1480	32	1130	23	780	14
1470	32	1120	22	770	14
1460	32	1110	22	760	14
1450	32	1100	22	750	13
1440	31	1090	21	740	13
1430	31	1080	21	730	13
1420	31	1070	21	720	13
1410	30	1060	21	710	12
1400	30	1050	20	700	12
1390	30	1040	20	690	12
1380	29	1030	20	680	12
1370	29	1020	20	670	12
1360	29	1010	19	660	12
1350	29	1000	19	650	12
1340	28	990	19	640	12
1330	28	980	19	630	12
1320	28	970	18	620	11
1310	28	960	18	610	11
1300	27	950	18	600	11
1290	27	940	18	590	11
1280	27	930	17	580	11
1270	26	920	17	570	11
1260	26	910	17	560	11

SAT to ACT Score Conversion Using Percentiles

We must understand percentiles to comprehend the SAT and ACT scoring algorithms. SAT to ACT score conversion and ACT to SAT score conversion based on percentiles are shown in the table below:

ACT Score	Percentile	SAT Score	Percentile
36	99	1600	99
30	95	1500	97
25	79	1400	92
20	49	1300	83
15	17	1200	70
14	12	1100	53
13	7	1000	35
12	4	900	19
11	1	800	8

Interpretation of the ACT to SAT Conversion

Your overall SAT score ranges from 400 to 1600, with each section score ranging from 200 to 800. One element is Math, and the other is Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. (EBRW). Your overall ACT score ranges from 1 to 36. 

As you can guess, the higher your score, the better you performed compared to the other exam participants. Is there a certain SAT or ACT score threshold that defines a “good” score? A percentile ranking reflects your overall score of 1600 for the SAT or 36 for the ACT. Your percentile indicates the percentage of students you scored the same as or higher. For example, if you received a 60th percentile score, you outperformed 60% of all test participants!     

The ACT to SAT score conversion chart is a valuable tool for assessing if it is in your best interests to submit ACT or New SAT results to a school. According to the SAT to ACT conversion 2020 table, 1260 on the SAT and 26 on the ACT are equivalent scores. Since neither score is notably “greater” or “lower,” you might submit either to universities. If you received a total of 1130 on the SAT and a 27 on the ACT, the ACT to SAT conversion 2020 chart indicates that your child’s ACT score is “greater” and would be a better score to submit to universities. 

Countless students use these SAT to ACT conversion 2020 and ACT to SAT conversion 2020 tables as they are feasible and easy to use. 

Who Makes Use of Conversion Tables?

Many people utilize SAT to ACT conversion 2020 tables to compare their results to identify best-fit universities and eligibility for scholarships and programs. 

These are some examples:

• Counselors at colleges
• Students and their loved ones
• Researchers
• Admission Offices to undergraduate programs
• Organizations that provide scholarships

Which exam should you take – the SAT or the ACT?

Check your university prerequisites before calculating your score with the aid of the ACT to SAT conversion 2020 chart. Specific colleges will only accept one of the two examinations. If your chosen college has comparable prerequisites, you should concentrate on only one exam. The difficulty level of both tests is equivalent, and good preparation is required to pass either of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Reasons behind ACT to SAT Conversion? 

The primary reason for analyzing the ACT to SAT conversion is to determine which test is best for you. After the ACT to SAT conversion, students may concentrate on only one exam rather than studying for both. 

 2. Which exam should I give? 

Specific colleges will only accept one of the two examinations. If your chosen college has comparable prerequisites, you should concentrate on only one exam. 

3. SAT or ACT: Which is harder? 

The SAT and ACT are typically compared in difficulty because of their similarity in structure and content. The difficulty of the SAT or ACT for you will rely on a number of variables, including your subject knowledge, test-taking preferences, and subject-specific talents. So, it’s all depends on you.