ACT to Old & New SAT Score Conversion

ACT to Old & New SAT Score Conversion

Without a doubt the most important exam any high schooler will take is the ACT or SAT. Yes, there are tests such as the PSAT and TOEFL (for international students) but the ACT or SAT are real markers of college readiness. In fact, much of your admissions decision, particularly to an elite school, relies on your test scores—not to mention your GPA, letters of recommendation, and admittance essay. Have you begun to think about which exam is right for you? There are differences, similarities, and even some nuances that can steer you towards the ACT or SAT.

When deciding which one for which to sit, it's important to understand how scoring for both works. Maybe you have already taken a practice ACT already and are wondering how well you'd do on the SAT. Sound familiar to any readers out there? Thankfully, there are some accurate conversion charts to help you determine your old and new SAT score with your ACT score handy.

ACT vs. SAT: The Basics

First and foremost, it's important to understand the basic differences between the ACT and SAT.

It seems that both tests have long since had a rivalry. Well, maybe not so much a rivalry, but a relationship as friendly competitors. While the SAT was the only real college preparedness exam given prior to the 1970s, the ACT has often surpassed it in terms of popularity. (Although, this recent year, the SAT emerged as the most popular after being second place for nearly a decade.)

Regardless of your preference between the two, it's important to break down the differences between both exams to give you further insight into your decision. The following table breaks down both tests, detailing their basic differences and similarities.

ACTSAT
Why Take ItColleges & universities for admissions and merit-based scholarships.Colleges & universities use SAT scores for admissions and merit-based scholarships.
Test StructureEnglish
Math
Reading
Science Reasoning
Essay (Optional)
Reading
Writing & Language
Math
Essay (Optional)
Length2 hours, 55 minutes (without essay)
3 hours, 40 minutes (with essay)
3 hours (without essay)
3 hours, 50 minutes (with essay)
Reading4 reading passages5 reading passages
Science1 science section testing your critical thinking skills (not your science knowledge)None
MathArithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Probability, StatisticsArithmetic, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Data Analysis
Calculator PolicyYou can use a calculator on all math questions.Some math questions don't allow you to use a calculator.
EssaysOptionalOptional
Scoring1-36 range400-1600 range

ACT vs. Old SAT

What we refer to now as the "old" SAT was the exam given before 2016. If you took the test that year or before, this is the conversion chart you want to use when finding your ACT score. Note: If you're wondering the characteristics of the "new" SAT, that is outlined in the next section.

ACT Total Score
(0-36)
Old SAT Total Score
(600-2400)
362400
362390
352380
352370
352360
342290
342220
332190
332150
322130
322080
312030
302010
291960
291910
281860
271830
261750
251700
241610
231570
221530
211480
201430
191350
181310
171260
161200
151130

ACT vs. New SAT

The SAT underwent some major revisions in 2016, a primary one being its scoring range. While the "old" range used to be 600-2400, the "new" one is administered on a scale of 400-600. If you have taken the SAT in 2016 or after, you have probably sat for the revised version. Some highlights of the 2016 revision include:

If you're wanting to determine what your "new" SAT score would be based off your current ACT score, the following conversion chart chronicles just that:

ACT Score
(0-36)
New SAT Score
(400-1600)
361600
361590
351560
351530
341520
341490
331480
331450
321440
321420
311410
311390
301380
301360
291350
291330
281320
281300
271280
271260
261250
261230
251220
251200
241190
241160
231150
221120
221100

The Takeaway

Finding out which test is right for you should be your number one priority before moving forward with a course of study. Thankfully, there are a handful of free ACT and SAT practice tests available online that will aid you in attaining a projected score. This way, you can find out where you line up with your desire school's score expectations and proceed with an in-person, private tutoring or online prep course.

You want to choose the test that you can do the best on, whether it's the ACT or SAT; hence, this means it's not advised to study for both tests and run the risk of burnout. Thankfully, all schools accept one or the other, just follow the data you come across as well as your own instincts. Even though the ACT is more popular as an assessment, the SAT is just as viable and has been the standard torchbearer for decades when it comes to undergraduate admission. Only you can decide which exam and course of preparedness is right for you.