SAT to ACT Score Converter
Compare Your Exam Scores
The SAT and ACT are equally accepted by colleges, but your scores might not be directly comparable. This tool converts your scores to see how you'd perform on the other exam.
Why this matters: Most colleges don't prefer one exam over the other. Knowing your equivalent score helps you maximize scholarship opportunities and understand where you stand.
The most popular exam in the US isn’t taken by college applicants in New York or engineers in California-it’s taken by SAT students in small towns across every state. Every year, over 1.5 million high school juniors and seniors sit for the SAT. That’s more than the combined number of people who take the ACT, GRE, GMAT, and AP exams put together. It’s not just about college admissions. For many families, the SAT is the first major milestone in a child’s academic journey-and the one that carries the most weight.
Why the SAT Dominates
The SAT has been around since 1926, but its dominance didn’t come from tradition alone. It became the default because colleges, counselors, and parents all treated it as the universal benchmark. Even schools that claim to be ‘test-optional’ still use SAT scores to award scholarships, place students in honors programs, or determine eligibility for state-funded grants. In states like Colorado and Illinois, the SAT is even administered for free to all public high school juniors as part of the state education system. That means nearly every 11th grader in those states takes it-no choice involved.
Compare that to the ACT. While the ACT is close behind in popularity, especially in the Midwest and South, it still trails by about 200,000 test-takers annually. The SAT’s structure-more focused on critical reading and vocabulary-feels more familiar to students raised on standardized testing culture. The ACT’s science section, which tests data interpretation more than actual science knowledge, trips up many students who haven’t had exposure to that format.
What About the ACT?
The ACT isn’t a distant second-it’s a major player. Around 1.3 million students take it each year. Its appeal? It’s more straightforward. The math section covers topics students learn in high school algebra and geometry, and the reading section is shorter, with more direct questions. Students who struggle with timed reading comprehension often prefer the ACT. But here’s the catch: colleges don’t favor one over the other. No school gives extra credit for choosing the SAT over the ACT or vice versa. The real difference lies in what students feel more comfortable with.
Some students take both. In fact, about 35% of test-takers in 2024 took both the SAT and ACT. Why? Because they want to see which score gives them the best shot at merit aid. Some state universities, like the University of Michigan or Ohio State, use test scores to determine automatic scholarship tiers. A 1400 on the SAT might get you $5,000 a year. A 32 on the ACT might get you the same. But if you don’t know how the scores convert, you’re guessing.
College-Level Exams: GRE, GMAT, LSAT
Once students get to college, the game changes. The GRE is the most common graduate school entrance exam, with about 600,000 test-takers globally each year-half of them from the US. But even then, it doesn’t come close to the SAT’s reach. The GMAT, used for MBA programs, draws about 200,000 test-takers annually. The LSAT, required for law school, has around 100,000. These are high-stakes exams, but they’re niche. Only a fraction of college graduates take them.
And then there are the AP exams. Over 2.5 million AP exams are taken each year by high school students. But here’s the key difference: one student can take five AP exams in one week. The SAT is a single test taken once or twice. So while AP exams are more numerous in total, they’re spread across many subjects and many attempts. The SAT is one exam-one moment-that defines a student’s college application.
Who Takes the SAT-and Why It Matters
The SAT isn’t just for Ivy League hopefuls. It’s taken by students from rural Alabama, suburban Chicago, and inner-city Los Angeles. It’s the great equalizer-or at least, that’s how it’s sold. Families who can’t afford private college counselors rely on SAT prep books and free online practice tests. Nonprofits like Khan Academy partner with the College Board to offer free SAT prep, making it one of the most accessible standardized tests in history.
But it’s not perfect. Studies show that students from wealthier backgrounds score higher, on average, not because they’re smarter, but because they have access to tutors, test prep courses, and multiple retakes. The College Board claims the SAT measures readiness, not privilege. But the data tells a different story: students who take the SAT more than once improve their scores by an average of 90 points. That’s $1,000 in tutoring, or a week of prep classes. Not everyone can afford that.
What’s Changing?
In 2024, the College Board rolled out the Digital SAT, which adapts difficulty based on how you answer each question. It’s shorter-just two hours-and results come back in days, not weeks. But the core goal hasn’t changed: to predict college success. And while some schools have gone test-blind, most still use scores as a filter. With over 1,800 colleges still requiring or considering SAT scores, it’s not going away anytime soon.
Meanwhile, the ACT has also gone digital. But the SAT still leads in volume, awareness, and institutional backing. Even in states that don’t require it, high schools still schedule SAT test days. Counselors still hand out SAT study guides. Parents still panic when their child scores below 1200.
The Real Answer
The most popular exam in the US isn’t the hardest. It’s not the most advanced. It’s the one that’s everywhere. The SAT is the cultural touchstone of American education. It’s the exam you take when you’re 16 and you’re told your future depends on it. It’s the exam that shows up on your transcript, your scholarship application, and your college acceptance letter. No other test has that kind of reach.
That doesn’t mean it’s fair. It doesn’t mean it’s perfect. But if you’re asking what the most popular exam in the US is, the answer isn’t a guess. It’s a number: 1.5 million. And that number hasn’t dropped in a decade.
What Comes After the SAT?
After the SAT, the next big exams are the ones tied to your career path. If you’re going into engineering, you might take the FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) exam. If you’re in healthcare, you’ll face the MCAT. If you’re aiming for business, the GMAT waits. But none of those come close to the SAT’s scale. The SAT is the first gate. Everything else is a side door.
Final Thought
Forget the hype around the GRE or the buzz about AP scores. When you walk into any American high school in March, you’ll see posters for the SAT. You’ll hear students talking about their target scores. You’ll see seniors stressing over their essay prompts. That’s the real measure of popularity-not test-taker counts alone, but cultural presence. The SAT isn’t just the most taken exam. It’s the one that shapes the American education experience.
Is the SAT the only important exam for US college admissions?
No, the SAT isn’t the only important exam, but it’s the most widely used. Many colleges also accept the ACT, and some now make test scores optional. However, SAT scores are still used for scholarship decisions, placement in honors programs, and comparing applicants from different high schools. Even test-optional schools often review scores if they’re submitted.
Do I need to take both the SAT and ACT?
You don’t need to take both, but many students do to see which score is higher. Colleges don’t prefer one over the other. If you’re unsure, take a practice test for each. Most students find they perform better on one format. Use that score and focus your prep there.
How many times should I take the SAT?
Most students take the SAT two or three times. The first time is usually in the spring of junior year. If you’re not happy with your score, you can retake it in the fall of senior year. The College Board allows you to send only your best scores to colleges through Score Choice. Don’t overdo it-more than three attempts rarely leads to big gains.
Is the Digital SAT easier than the paper version?
The Digital SAT isn’t easier-it’s different. It’s shorter, adaptive, and gives you more time per question. The content is the same, but the test adjusts difficulty based on your answers. Students who get nervous with timed tests often find the digital version less stressful because they’re not racing through 100+ questions at once. But you still need strong reading and math skills.
Can I skip the SAT and still get into a good college?
Yes. Over 1,800 US colleges are now test-optional, including many top schools like Harvard, University of Chicago, and Caltech. But skipping the SAT means your application must stand out in other ways-strong grades, impressive essays, leadership roles, or unique talents. If your high school doesn’t offer advanced courses or you’re from a school with limited resources, a strong SAT score can still help level the playing field.
Anirudh Vaidya
I am an education consultant specializing in the Indian education system, and I enjoy exploring innovative teaching methods. My passion is writing about educational reforms and developments happening in India, trying to bring awareness to global audiences. I regularly contribute to various educational journals and participate in conferences worldwide. I believe in lifelong learning and am always keen to exchange ideas with fellow educators.