Converting ACT Scores to SAT Scores

Students often want to know what their ACT scores mean when compared to the scores of the SAT. Realize that any conversion is just a crude approximation. The SAT has three components: Math, Critical Reading and Writing. The ACT has four components: English Language, Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Science. Thus, when we compare ACT scores to SAT scores, we are, in fact, comparing apples and oranges.

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 520 or lower. On the ACT Math section the 50% line falls just below a score of 20.

In the table below, I've compared the ACT and SAT Critical Reading and Mathematics sections with their corresponding percentage.

Also be sure to read What's a Good SAT Score? and What's a Good ACT Score?

Convert ACT to SAT
Reading			Math
SAT	ACT	%	SAT	ACT	%
800	36	99	800	36	99
770	34	99	770	33	98
740	33	98	740	32	97
710	32	96	710	30	95
680	31	93	680	28	91
650	30	90	650	26	85
620	28	84	620	25	80
590	26	77	590	24	72
560	24	69	560	22	64
530	22	59	530	20	54
500	20	49	500	19	44
470	19	38	470	17	35
440	17	28	440	16	25
410	15	20	410	15	17
380	14	12	380	15	11
350	13	8	350	14	7
320	11	4	320	13	4
290	10	2	290	13	2
260	8	1	260	11	1