SAT to ACT Conversion Chart 2026: Which Score is Best for Study Abroad Scholarships?

Introduction

You just got your Digital SAT score: 1350.

A week later, you got your ACT score: 29.

Now you are staring at your Common App dashboard, confused. Which one should you submit?

In the high-stakes world of UG admission, this decision is worth thousands of dollars. While universities claim to have "no preference," the reality is that one score might place you in a higher percentile for merit scholarships than the other.

For the 2026 Intake, understanding the "Exchange Rate" between these two exams is critical. If you submit a score that "looks" good but converts to a lower value, you might accidentally downgrade your application.

In this guide, we provide the official SAT to ACT Conversion Chart, reveal the "Hidden Bias" for STEM majors, and help you pick the winning score for your study abroad journey.

Highlights: Score Comparison at a Glance

Feature	SAT (Digital)	ACT
Total Score Range	400 – 1600	1 – 36
"Perfect" Score	1600	36
Scholarship "Safe Zone"	1450+	33+
Ivy League Target	1550+	35-36
Conversion Source	Official College Board / ACT Concordance	Official College Board / ACT Concordance
Best For	Slow Readers / Logic Thinkers	Fast Readers / Science Lovers

1. The Official SAT to ACT Conversion Chart (2026)

This table is the "Gold Standard." Every admissions officer in the USA uses this exact data to compare students.

SAT Total Score (400-1600)	ACT Composite Score (1-36)	Competitiveness for UG Admission
1570 – 1600	36	Top 1% (Ivy League)
1530 – 1560	35	Elite
1490 – 1520	34	Elite (Top 20 Universities)
1450 – 1480	33	High Merit Scholarship Zone
1420 – 1440	32	Competitive
1390 – 1410	31	Strong
1360 – 1380	30	Strong
1330 – 1350	29	Good (State Universities)
1300 – 1320	28	Good
1260 – 1290	27	Above Average
< 1200	< 25	Average

The Reality Check: Look at the 1330–1350 range. It equals a 29.If you have a 1350 SAT and a 29 ACT, submit the SAT. Why? Because 1350 is at the top of that bracket, while 29 is the average of it. The 1350 looks slightly stronger psychologically.

2. The "Hidden Bias": STEM vs. Humanities

While the conversion chart is official, different majors value the scores differently.

Scenario A: The Engineering Student

• You have: 1400 SAT vs. 31 ACT.

• The Conversion: They are exactly equal.

• The Strategy: Submit the SAT.

  • Reason: The Digital SAT Math section is harder and counts for 50% of your total score. A high SAT score proves you can handle rigorous Engineering math. The ACT Math is only 25% of the score and allows a calculator for everything.

Scenario B: The Pre-Med / Biology Student

• You have: 1400 SAT vs. 31 ACT.

• The Strategy: Submit the ACT.

  • Reason: The ACT has a dedicated Science Section. Even though it’s mostly data interpretation, having a high "Science" sub-score looks fantastic for a Biology major.

3. Super scoring: The Ultimate Hack

Most US universities allow Superscoring. This means they take your best Math score from one test date and combined it with your best English score from another date.

• SAT Superscore: Very common. Almost all colleges accept it.

• ACT Superscore: Also common, but fewer colleges automatically calculate it for you.

• The "Cross-Test" Myth: You cannot combine an SAT Math score with an ACT English score. You must pick one lane.

Tip: If your SAT Math is consistently 780+ but your English fluctuates, stick to the SAT. You can retake it just to fix the English score and "Superscore" your way to a 1550.

4. Tips / Strategy for Submission

1. Don't Send Both (Unless...): If both scores are in the top 1% (e.g., 1580 and 36), send both to show dominance. Otherwise, just send the higher one. Don't confuse the admissions officer.

2. Check the "Percentile": Sometimes the conversion chart is rough. Check the National Rank on your score report. If your SAT is 98th Percentile and ACT is 96th, send the SAT.

3. Test Optional? If your converted score is below the university's average

   (e.g., <1400 for NYU), go Test Optional. A low score is worse than no score.

5. FAQs

Q1. Is a 34 ACT better than a 1500 SAT?

Ans: Yes. A 34 ACT converts to approximately a 1500–1520 range. It is solidly in the "Elite" category, whereas a flat 1500 is the bottom of that tier.

Q2. Do colleges prefer the Digital SAT over the Paper ACT?

Ans: Officially, no. However, for international students, the Digital SAT is often viewed as more secure and standardized, which can be a slight subtle advantage.

Q3. Which test gives more scholarship money?

Ans: They are treated equally. Scholarships are usually based on a "Threshold." (e.g., "Any student with 1450+ or 33+ gets $10,000"). Check the specific university website for their cutoffs.

Q4. Can I convert my PSAT score to predict my ACT?

Ans: Yes. The PSAT predicts your SAT, which you can then convert to ACT. However, the PSAT is easier, so subtract ~20-30 points for a realistic estimate.

Q5. Is the ACT easier for Indian students?

Ans: Generally, No. Indian students (who are often strong in Math but slower readers in English) usually perform better on the SAT, which gives you more time per question. The ACT requires extremely fast reading speed.

Q6. Does the SAT Essay matter?

Ans: The SAT Essay is discontinued. The ACT still has an optional Writing section, but almost no colleges require it anymore.

Q7. What is a "Good" score for Ivy League?

Ans: You want to be in the 1550+ (SAT) or 35+ (ACT) range to be safe.

Q8. Should I switch from SAT to ACT if my score is stuck?

Ans: Yes! If you have hit a "score plateau" on the SAT (e.g., stuck at 1300 for months), try a practice ACT. Your brain might just prefer the different format.

Q9. How accurate is this chart?

Ans: It is the official concordance released jointly by the College Board and ACT, Inc. It is the most accurate data available.

Q10. Can I use Desmos on the ACT?

Ans: No. This is a huge factor. If you rely on Desmos for Math, stick to the Digital SAT.

Conclusion

Choosing the right score to submit is the final step of your testing journey. Use the chart, trust the data, and play to your strengths.

Remember, a 1500 SAT and a 34 ACT open the exact same doors. The only "wrong" choice is submitting a score that doesn't represent your true potential.

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