Exams Know-how

ACT to SAT Conversion: How to Convert Your ACT Score to SAT Score

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Amongst the other requirements like decent GPA, well-drafted LOR and SOP, the ACT and SAT play a significant role in determining a student’s acceptance to universities. Any student wishing to attend a university in the United States must pass the ACT or SAT exam. The ACT exam is not the same as the SAT exam, but do you know, you may opt for an ACT to SAT conversion?

In this blog, we take you through the similarities, differences and process of SAT to ACT conversion and vice versa. 

Table Of Contents

  1. Similarities Between ACT and SAT Exams
  2. Key Differences Between the ACT and SAT Exam?
  3. Why do we need ACT to SAT Conversion or SAT to ACT Conversion?
  4. How to Convert ACT scores into SAT?
  5. Score Conversion Table

Similarities Between ACT and SAT Exam

Many of the subjects addressed by the SAT and ACT are similar. College admissions choices and merit-based scholarship awards both employ ACT and SAT results. The majority of colleges do not favor one test over another. Neither the SAT nor the ACT is more challenging than the other. Here are some aspects that make the two similar to each other:

  • Both of them are multiple-choice-based exams.
  • Both of them are taken by high school students.
  • They are standardized exams for students to get admission into colleges.
  • Most universities do not prefer one over the other.
  • Both provide the colleges with an overview assessment of a student’s abilities.
  • For an incorrect answer, there is no negative marking.
  • Both of them cover the same topics under the Reading, English, and Mathematics sections.
  • There are reading and writing questions based on passages.
  • Both are open for registration a month before the exam.

The SAT and ACT are both standardized exams, but they assess a student's competence and preparation for university in quite different ways. The SAT and ACT have been competing for decades. Next up, we’ll be discussing what makes the ACT and SAT exams different from each other.

Suggested: ACT Exam Eligibility

Key Differences Between the ACT and SAT Exam?

The SAT and ACT both cover many of the same topics. Although the ACT exam is not identical to the SAT, both are necessary for entrance to an American university. Here are some key aspects of the exams that make them different from the other:

ACT Exam

SAT Exam

The ACT exam is divided into four sections, namely:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Reading
  • Science

Then there is an optional Writing section.

The SAT exam is divided into three sections, namely:

  • Reading
  • Writing and Language
  • Mathematics

(There is no science section in SAT exam)

The ACT examination lasts 2 hours and 55 minutes. However, if you take the optional writing exam, you will be given an additional 40 minutes on top of the 2 hours and 55 minutes, making the exam 3 hours and 35 minutes lengthy.

The SAT exam is 3 hours long.

The writing or the essay exam is optional.

There is no essay or writing exam.

There are 4 passages, in the reading section.

There are 5 passages in the reading section.

The scoring scale is between 400-1600.

The scoring scale is between 1-36.

The use of a calculator is allowed for all the questions in the mathematics section.

The use of a calculator is not permitted for a few questions in the exam.

There are 215 questions in total.

There are 154 questions in total.

The test is conducted four times a year. (March, May, October, and December)

The test is conducted six times a year.

(February, April, June, July, September, and October)

Suggested: How to Calculate ACT Scores?

The ACT and SAT exams are analogous to university entrance exams and provide a uniform framework for analyzing each student's competence. To attend a university in the US, a student must pass the ACT or SAT exam.

Why do we Need ACT to SAT Conversion and SAT to ACT Conversion?

Instead of attempting to perform well on both exams, it's advisable to concentrate your efforts on either the SAT or ACT. The ACT to SAT conversion can be quite useful in determining which test you excel at. However, even if you only take one test, knowing how your score converts will help you better evaluate your results and your prospects of admission to multiple universities. You can discover to see which test you're naturally better at by undertaking a practice test for both the SAT and the ACT.

Suggested: Colleges Accepting low ACT Scores

How to Convert ACT scores into SAT?

The ACT to SAT score conversion or SAT to ACT score conversion might help you figure out which test you do best on.

Nowadays, lots of websites offer their services for you to convert your scores.  You just need to put your score in the empty bracket and they will convert your score for you. Be it SAT to ACT score conversion or ACT to SAT score conversion, is available right at your fingertips.

Or you can go about it the traditional way: by referring to a score conversion table, like the one mentioned in the next section.

Suggested: SAT Syllabus and Pattern

Score Conversion Table

You can convert your ACT scores to SAT scores or SAT scores to ACT scores using various tools. The underlying statistics on the SAT to ACT conversion chart will help you understand your score better.

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

144

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

Suggested: Tips for ACT Preparation

If a university's admissions policy dictates that both tests are accepted, you can be confident that the school does not prefer one over the other. A practice run of both examinations is the ideal method to discover which test will closely mirror your academic potential. To do well on either test, one must begin studying as soon as possible to get the requisite knowledge to boost confidence. For any advice or help, contact our Yocket counselors right now!

 

Frequently Asked Questions: SAT and ACT Score Conversion

Do we have to give both exams to get into a good college?

Why do we need to convert scores?

How do I know which exam I should take?

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