Your ACT score just arrived: 31 composite. You've seen schools talk about "1400 SAT" but you took the ACT. How does a 31 compare? Is it competitive for your target colleges? How does it convert to SAT? This calculator shows you your percentile rank, compares your ACT score to college averages, and converts your ACT to an equivalent SAT score so you can compare directly.
What This Calculator Does
Your ACT composite score (1-36) is evaluated against national percentiles and college-specific averages. Unlike the SAT's 400-1600 range, the ACT uses a 1-36 composite that's an average of four section scores. This calculator converts your composite score into a national percentile (showing how you rank against all test-takers), compares your score to typical ACT ranges at different college tiers, and converts your ACT to an approximate SAT equivalent. Your percentile rank tells you what percentage of test-takers scored at or below your score.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your ACT composite score (1-36). If you have your individual section scores (English: 1-36, Math: 1-36, Reading: 1-36, Science: 1-36), enter those too for a more detailed breakdown. The calculator shows your national percentile, compares your score to college averages at different tiers, and provides the approximate SAT equivalent. You can also enter your SAT score to see the ACT equivalent if you've taken both tests or are deciding between them.
Most colleges publish their middle 50% ACT composite range for admitted students (like 30-33 for mid-range applicants). Use this calculator to see where you fall within those ranges for your target schools.
The Formula Behind the Math
ACT score range: 1 (minimum) to 36 (maximum)
Composition: Average of four sections, each 1-36:
Composite calculation: (English + Math + Reading + Science) / 4 = Composite (rounded to nearest whole number)
Percentile conversion: The ACT organization publishes percentile data annually. Example percentile ranges:
ACT-to-SAT conversion (approximate):
These are approximate conversions based on percentile equivalency.
Worked example: You scored 31 composite on the ACT (English 32, Math 29, Reading 31, Science 32).
Percentile lookup: An ACT 31 is approximately 90th percentile (you scored better than 90% of test-takers).
College comparison:
ACT-to-SAT: Your 31 ACT converts approximately to a 1370 SAT.
Our calculator does all of this instantly-but now you understand exactly what it's computing. The key insight: your ACT score is evaluated against national averages and specific college averages, not as an absolute "good or bad."
Understanding Your Strengths Across Sections
The calculator breaks down your section scores alongside your composite. If you scored 32 in English and Reading but 29 in Math and Science, you see where your strengths lie. Some colleges care about specific sections (engineering schools focus on Math, for example). This breakdown helps you understand which areas to target if you retake, or which colleges might value your profile most.
Section-Specific College Requirements
Some colleges have minimum requirements for specific sections. For example, an engineering program might want at least a 30 in Math. This calculator lets you assess your sections against college-specific expectations, not just the composite score.
Comparing Multiple Test Attempts
If you've taken the ACT multiple times, use this calculator to see how your scores have improved percentile-wise. A jump from ACT 29 to 31 might seem modest numerically, but it moves you from approximately 87th to 90th percentile-meaningful in the college admissions context.
Deciding Between ACT and SAT
If you've taken both, use this calculator to convert your ACT to approximate SAT (or vice versa) so you can directly compare which test shows your strengths better. Some students naturally score higher on one test. Knowing the equivalents helps you decide which score to submit. Most colleges now accept either or are test-optional.
Tips and Things to Watch Out For
Your ACT score is valid for five years. Colleges accept scores up to five years old for admissions. If you took the ACT in 10th grade and you're applying as a senior, that score still counts.
The ACT hasn't changed since 2015. Unlike the SAT, which redesigned in 2016, the ACT has remained stable. Older ACT scores are comparable to current ones.
Score choice policies vary by college. Some colleges let you submit your best ACT or SAT score using "test-optional" policies. Others want all scores. Check each college's policy when you apply.
Percentiles change annually. The exact percentile for a 31 might shift slightly year-to-year as the test-taking population changes. These ranges are approximate-use as a guide.
ACT vs. SAT conversions are approximate, not exact. The two tests measure differently. Your ACT 31 might feel like a 1370 SAT, or it might feel like a 1350. Both conversions are reasonable.
Some colleges prefer one test over the other (informally). While colleges say they're test-blind or test-optional, some regions or schools traditionally see more SAT or ACT takers. This doesn't mean one is better; it's just context.
Superscoring is less common for ACT. Unlike SAT, where some colleges take your best sections from different sittings, very few colleges superscore ACT. Check whether your colleges superscore ACT.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ACT score do I need?
That depends on your target colleges. Community colleges typically want 18-20. State universities average 22-26. Selective colleges want 29-32. Ivy League and most selective want 33-35. Research your specific target schools' middle-50% ranges.
Is an ACT score of 32 good?
An ACT 32 is approximately 94th percentile, which is excellent. It's within range for most selective and some Ivy League schools. It's a strong score.
Is an ACT score of 26 good?
An ACT 26 is approximately 79th percentile, which is above average nationally. It's competitive for state universities and some selective colleges, but below average for Ivy League schools. Whether it's "good" depends on your target schools.
Can I retake the ACT?
Yes. You can take the ACT as many times as you want (seven times per year on scheduled test dates). Most students take it 1-3 times. Each official test day is a separate score, and colleges see all your scores unless using score choice. The differences between attempts are usually small (within 1-3 composite points).
How much can my ACT score improve with tutoring?
Improvement varies. Some students improve 3-5 points with tutoring; others improve 1-2 points. Most improvement comes from the first attempt to the second. Diminishing returns set in after 2-3 attempts. Single-section improvement is often more realistic than composite improvement.
Should I take the ACT or SAT?
That's personal. Some students naturally perform better on one. The ACT includes Science; the SAT doesn't. The SAT includes some obscure vocabulary. Consider taking a practice test of each. Many colleges now accept either or are test-optional.
What if I score way differently on sections?
That's normal. Most students have section variation. If you scored 35 English but 28 Math, your Math is the limiting factor for your composite. If retaking, focus on Math improvement. Some colleges care about specific sections (engineering wants high Math), so your profile might still be strong for certain schools.
How does my ACT score affect college admissions?
ACT is one factor among many. Top colleges care about GPA, essays, extracurriculars, and background as much as test scores. A strong ACT helps, but it's not everything. Test-optional policies have made this even more true.
Related Calculators
Use the SAT Score Calculator to see SAT-to-ACT conversions and percentile comparisons if you're deciding between tests. The High School GPA Calculator helps you track your weighted and unweighted GPA, another key college admissions factor. The College GPA Calculator shows your cumulative GPA once you're in college.