How to Use the ACT®/SAT® Concordance Table
(& Why It Is So Useful)
If you have taken both the SAT® and the ACT® or are deciding which one to focus on you may have wondered how your scores compare across the two tests. That’s where the ACT/SAT concordance table comes in. This table is your key to translating scores between the two major college entrance exams, and it can play a critical role in test prep strategy, college applications, and goal setting.
What is the concordance table?
The ACT/SAT concordance tables are official tools developed jointly by the College Board and ACT to help compare scores from the SAT and the ACT. They show how a score on one test maps to a corresponding score on the other.
For example:
An ACT composite score of 20 roughly corresponds to an SAT total score of 1030–1050. (For the record, these are the national averages for each test.)
A perfect ACT composite score of 36 roughly corresponds to a perfect or near-perfect SAT score of 1570–1600.
Essentially, all you have to do is find your score on one test, then look across to see what that would roughly correspond to on the other. It is like a translation guide for your results.
* Note: Concorded scores do not perfectly predict how a student would perform on the other test. They’re just useful as rough estimates of comparable scores.
Why is this useful?
For one, it can help students decide which test scores to submit to colleges.
Despite testing similar curricula in roughly similar ways, there are subtle differences between the SAT’s and ACT’s question phrasings, test structures, and timing conditions. And since everyone has a unique mix of strengths and weaknesses, the simple truth is that many students will perform significantly better on one test than the other. Concordance tables help you figure out which score looks more impressive. For example, if your 1150 SAT concords to a 23 ACT, but you scored a 26 on the actual ACT, then you know your ACT score is your stronger showing.
You don’t need to already have official SAT and ACT scores for a concordance table to be useful, though. It can also help you decide which test to take to begin with.
Not everyone has the time or energy to prepare intensively for two standardized tests especially if you are a student-athlete or have a rigorous academic workload. You might want to just pick one test and go all-in on it instead. If you’re not sure which test fits your skill set better, you can take a diagnostic test for each, then use the concordance table to see which score is stronger. That can help you focus your prep time where it will make the most impact.
Putting It All Together
The ACT/SAT concordance tables are more than just trivia they are a strategic tool for test takers. Whether you are deciding which score to send, setting a goal, or evaluating where you stand, understanding these score conversions can help you make more informed decisions during the college application process.
Want a quick reference? You can download a concordance table here Download the Table Here!
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