SAT vs ACT: Differences, Concordance and Which to Take

How do SAT and ACT scores compare?

Through the 2018 concordance tables that ACT and College Board published together. Enter an ACT Composite to get the SAT equivalent, or an SAT total to get the nearest ACT score.

ACT Composite, 1 to 36

SAT total equivalent

1180

From the official 2018 ACT/SAT concordance published by ACT and College Board. SAT to ACT gives the ACT score whose single-point SAT equivalent is nearest; the official table also lists SAT ranges for each ACT score.

The 2018 ACT/SAT concordance, ACT Composite to SAT total (single-point values)
ACT Composite	SAT total
36	1590
35	1540
34	1500
33	1460
32	1430
31	1400
30	1370
29	1340
28	1310
27	1280
26	1240
25	1210
24	1180
23	1140
22	1110
21	1080
20	1040
19	1010
18	970
17	930
16	890
15	850
14	800
13	760
12	710
11	670
10	630
9	590

What are the differences between the SAT and the ACT?

The SAT is shorter per section, adaptive and digital, with one short passage per reading question and a calculator on all of Math. The ACT moves faster, uses longer passages with many questions each, and has an optional Science section.

The SAT and the ACT compared (College Board and ACT)
	SAT	ACT
Sections	Reading and Writing; Math	English, Math, Reading; Science optional
Questions and time	98 questions, 2 hours 14 minutes	131 questions, 125 minutes (core)
Time per question	About 71 s (R&W) and 95 s (Math)	About 42 s (English), 67 s (Math, Reading), 60 s (Science)
Format	Digital, adaptive by module	Paper or online, not adaptive
Reading passages	One short passage per question	Four longer passages, about nine questions each
Math calculator	Allowed on all questions; Desmos built in	Allowed on all questions
Math formulas	Reference sheet provided	No formula sheet
Science	No separate section	Optional section, not in the Composite
Scores	200-800 per section, 400-1600 total	1-36 per section and Composite

Is the content of the SAT and the ACT different?

Mostly it overlaps: both test grammar and punctuation, reading for evidence, algebra, data and some geometry. The differences are in how questions are packaged, a few math topics, and the ACT's Science section.

Grammar: the same rules on both. The SAT asks one question per short passage; ACT English puts many questions on one longer passage.
Reading: the SAT gives one short passage per question, sometimes with a table or graph; ACT Reading gives four long passages with about nine questions each.
Math: both centre on algebra. The ACT asks more geometry and trigonometry, and topics such as sequences, logarithms and matrices that the SAT rarely or never asks; the SAT asks more data analysis and gives a formula sheet.
Typed answers: about a quarter of SAT Math questions have no options; every ACT Math question has four.
Science: only the ACT has a Science section, and it is optional. The SAT puts data questions inside Reading and Writing and Math instead.

If you have already studied for one test, most of that work carries over. What you need to practise is the other test's format and pace, which is exactly what a timed mock shows you.

Which test gives you more time?

The SAT, per question, in every section. The ACT's English section allows about 42 seconds a question, against about 71 seconds on SAT Reading and Writing; ACT Math gives about 67 seconds, against about 95 on SAT Math.

Time per question is the clearest single difference. Students who run out of time on timed tests often score relatively better on the SAT. Students who read quickly and like settling into a passage often do relatively better on the ACT, where one passage carries several questions and there is less switching between topics.

The SAT's adaptive design changes the feel too: if you do well on the first module of a section, the second is harder. The ACT is the same for everyone in a sitting.

Should I take the SAT or the ACT?

Take a timed practice test of each, convert the results with the concordance, and choose the one you score higher on. If they are close, choose the format you prefer: the SAT for more time per question, the ACT if you read quickly and like longer passages.

Prefer more time per question, and short passages? Lean SAT.
Read fast, and comfortable with longer passages and a steady pace? Lean ACT.
Strong in science data, or applying to STEM programs that want it? The ACT's Science section can show it.
Rely on a formula sheet? The SAT gives one; the ACT does not.
Your school gives one of them free on a school day? That is a free attempt worth taking.

Start with our free practice tests: the SAT practice test and the ACT practice test. Neither predicts a scaled score, but your percent right and your sense of the pace on each will tell you which suits you.

Practise for the test you choose

The ACT Pass Pack and the SAT Pass Pack each have eight full mocks and drills for every section, every answer explained.

The ACT Pass Pack gives you 8 full mocks on the real clock, 16 drills of 12 questions for the sections that cost you points, and a predictor that turns your mocks into the odds of reaching your target. One payment, no subscription, and your free score stays free.

Prep courses for these tests usually cost $19 to $129. The ACT Pass Pack is US$39 (£29), once.

See the ACT Pass Pack How our questions are built and checked

8
timed mocks: 16
topic drills: 1
score predictor

Should I take both the SAT and the ACT?

Usually not. Colleges accept either, so most students do better putting all their preparation into one test. Take both only if your practice scores are close and you have time to prepare properly for each.

The content overlaps a great deal: grammar rules, reading for evidence, algebra and data. What differs is the pace and the format. Splitting your preparation means practising two clocks and two sets of question types, which usually costs more points than it gains.

If you have already taken one, put your score into the converter above, compare it with your practice result on the other, and decide from there. The SAT score calculator and what is a good ACT score explain each scale.

How accurate is the SAT/ACT concordance?

It is the official comparison, built by ACT and College Board from students who took both tests, and colleges use it. It pairs scores that represent similar levels of achievement, not identical ones.

The tables were published in 2018. College Board reports digital SAT scores on the same scale as the paper SAT, which is why colleges still use them. For SAT to ACT, the official table gives a range of SAT scores for each ACT score; our converter gives the ACT score whose single-point SAT equivalent is nearest, which is the same answer in almost every case.

The concordance starts at ACT 9 (SAT 590). Below that, there is no official equivalent.

Frequently asked questions

Is the SAT or the ACT easier?

Neither is easier overall; they reward different strengths. Most students score at a similar level on both once converted, and some do clearly better on one.

Do colleges prefer the SAT or the ACT?

No. US colleges that consider test scores accept both equally.

What SAT score is a 30 on the ACT?

1370, in the 2018 concordance.

What ACT score is a 1400 on the SAT?

31: the concordance pairs ACT 31 with SAT 1400.

Are these official tests?

Our practice tests are SAT-style and ACT-style with original questions. LifeScore is not affiliated with College Board or ACT, Inc.

Pick a test, then prepare for it properly

Eight full ACT-style mocks, four drills for each section, every answer explained and a printable study guide, in one payment. The SAT Pass Pack has the same for the SAT.