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1290 SAT to ACT Score

By Eric Eng

By Eric Eng

a male student taking an exam

1290 SAT to ACT Score

You probably stumbled upon this blog because you have either taken the SAT or will take it in the future, and you are apprehensive about how your test scores will translate to a different aptitude test such as the ACT. You might have asked yourself, “What would my SAT score be equivalent to if it were converted to an ACT score?” You’re in the right place to look for answers! In this blog, we will help you convert your 1290 SAT score to ACT score.

Moreover, we will also detail how to convert scores in general and how the SAT to ACT conversion table can be relevant to you as a student.

SAT to ACT Conversion: An Overview

The two most popular college entrance examinations in the United States, the SAT and ACT, are taken by millions of high school students each year. While considering applicants for admission, many universities look at their SAT and ACT scores. How well you would have performed on the alternative test was likely one of your initial considerations after receiving your ACT or SAT results. Fortunately, SAT to ACT conversion has been made possible and vice versa.

Obviously, the ACT and SAT aren’t the same tests, despite some form and content similarities. How they are scored is one significant distinction. Although the ACT utilizes a score range of 1-36, the SAT employs a range of 400-1600.

Students frequently take both the SAT and the ACT in order to prepare for the college admissions process. To determine the correlation between ACT scores and SAT scores, the ACT and the College Board undertook a study. Based on the findings of that research, the SAT and ACT Conversion Chart was made.

What would your SAT score be when converted to an ACT Score?

So, what would a 1290 SAT score to ACT score be? Simply put, a 1290 SAT score is equivalent to an ACT composite score of 27.

A 1290 SAT score is not a good score. In reality, it’s a weak score that will keep you from achieving your college admissions goals. Although you’re still outperforming the majority of test takers, it’s still not enough to get you into the top schools in the country. Despite all the preparation you have put into the said test, we highly recommend that you retake it.

SAT to ACT Conversion: What are they for?

Converting from SAT to ACT can be quite beneficial for determining which test you perform better on. To maximize your score, it’s best to concentrate all of your efforts on either the SAT or ACT rather than attempting to do well on both exams. But even if you only take one exam, knowing how your score translates will help you better assess your performance and your prospects of getting into different universities.

High school student writing in a table.

You can determine which test you perform best on by taking practice exams for both the SAT and ACT, for instance. You will know to prepare for and take that test instead if you significantly outperform yourself on one test compared to the other (let’s say by the equivalent of two ACT points).

The SAT to ACT conversion at schools isn’t always accurate, as we’ll see later. You can increase your chances of being admitted by being aware of what converting is and why it isn’t usually allowed, even at some schools.

Remember that converting composite scores won’t provide you with the most accurate information. Thus, convert all of your section scores as well.

SAT to ACT Conversion Chart

The official concordance table created by ACT Inc., which manages the ACT, and the College Board, which manages the SAT, is provided here.

This conversion chart enables test takers, parents/guardians, teachers, counselors, and college admissions staff to compare ACT and SAT scores. Using the same chart, you can convert a 1290 SAT score to ACT score.

Please take note that these conversions are approximations and cannot accurately forecast how a person will fare on the other test.

SAT Total ACT Composite SAT Total ACT Composite
1570-1600 36 110-1120 22
1530-1560 35 1060-1090 21
1490-1520 34 1030-1050 20
1450-1480 33 990-1020 19
1420-1440 32 960-980 18
1390-1410 31 920-950 17
1360-1380 30 880-910 16
1330-1350 29 830-870 15
1300-1320 28 780-820 14
1260-1290 27 730-770 13
1230-1250 26 690-720 12
1200-1220 25 650-680 11
1160-1190 24 620-640 10
1130-1150 23 590-610 9

SAT to ACT Conversion Chart: Section-specific

The College Board and ACT Inc. also made available two subject-specific concordance tables, one for math and one for reading and writing, in addition to the general SAT-to-ACT conversion chart above.

The math comparison table below contrasts the ACT and SAT math test scores. There is no concordance chart for science-related scores because the SAT does not include a distinct Science part as the ACT does.

SAT Math ACT Math SAT Math ACT Math
800 36 540 22
770-790 35 530 21
760 34 520 20
740-750 33 510 19
720-730 32 490-500 18
710 31 460-480 17
690-700 30 420-450 16
680 29 380-410 15
660-670 28 350-370 14
630-650 27 320-340 13
610-620 26 300-310 12
590-600 25 280-290 11
570-580 24 260-270 10
550-560 23

The following table translates your SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) scores, which are made up of your Reading, Writing, and Language scores, into ACT English + Reading scores (and vice versa).

It is important to note that the ACT Reading and English scores, which each use a scale of 1-36, have been put together, which is why ACT scores can reach a maximum of 72.

SAT EBRW ACT English + Reading SAT EBRW ACT English + Reading
790-800 72 520 39
770-780 71 510 38
750-760 70 500 36-37
740 69 490 35
730 68 480 34
720 67 470 33
710 66 460 32
700 64-65 450 31
690 63 440 30
680 61-62 430 29
670 60 420 28
660 58-59 410 27
650 57 400 26
640 55-56 390 25
630 53-54 380 24
620 52 370 23
610 50-51 360 22
600 49 350 21
590 48 340 20
580 46-47 330 19
570 45 320 18
560 44 310 17
550 43 300 16
540 41-42 290 15
530 40 280 14

How to interpret scores using the SAT to ACT conversion chart

If you’re trying to decide whether it would be better for you to submit ACT or New SAT results to a school, the chart below can be a helpful resource. The graphic indicates that, for instance, if you received a total SAT score of 1250 and an ACT score of 26, these are equivalent results.

You can submit either score (or both), as none is notably “greater” or “lower” than the other. Yet, if you received a total SAT score of 1130 and an ACT score of 27, your ACT score is “greater” and would probably be a better number to submit to institutions.

A woman taking an exam

Say your ACT score was 26, for example. You now want to understand how well you would have performed on the old and new SAT tests. According to the table, a score of 26 corresponds to a score range of 1230–1250 on the new SAT.

It’s crucial to remember that these conversions aren’t exact, so this isn’t the exact score you would have gotten. Instead of depending on the one exam you did take, these concordance tables give an approximate result for a test.

Calculators are available at several schools, like Bradley University, to translate section scores between exams. For instance, a student can convert their math score from the ACT to the SAT to assess where they stand among current students at these schools in terms of math in particular.

SAT to ACT Conversion Chart: How to use them

The SAT to ACT conversion tables that we have shown can be used by students to compare their SAT or ACT results, guide their college search, and determine whether they are college-ready.

These charts can also be useful for students thinking about taking the SAT or ACT because they can show you where you’re likely to score on the other test. Bear in mind, however, that they are not completely accurate.

Apart from students and their parents, other people can benefit from this chart as well:

Guidance counselors: Can measure students’ readiness for college-level coursework and offer advice and guidance to high school students as they explore their college options using SAT to ACT conversion tables.

School administration: Can measure kids’ readiness for college by averaging their scores from the two tests and altering curricula and resources for any potential improvement needs.

Universities and other academic institutions: can use SAT to ACT conversion tables to establish admission eligibility, evaluate general college preparation, and give scholarships. These tables can be used by schools for test score comparison and predictive modeling among certain student groupings.

Teachers: Can evaluate students’ college readiness using conversion charts to combine test scores from several sources.

Researchers: Can utilize concordance tables to average results from the two examinations to assess a student population’s level of college preparedness.

Final Words

While the two tests differ in structure, they both measure a student’s ability to think critically and solve problems. Both tests are designed to assess a student’s readiness for college-level coursework, and scores are used by admissions officers to evaluate a student’s potential for success in college.

One key difference between the two tests is the type of questions they ask. The ACT is known for its emphasis on math and science, while the SAT is known for its focus on vocabulary and critical reading skills. The SAT also includes a math section that allows the use of a calculator, while the ACT does not.

Another difference between the two tests is the time allotted for each section. The ACT is a longer test, with a total testing time of 2 hours and 55 minutes (or 3 hours and 35 minutes with the optional writing section). The SAT has a total testing time of 3 hours (or 3 hours and 50 minutes with the optional essay section).

Students should also consider which test is preferred by the colleges they are interested in. While most colleges accept either test, some have a preference for one over the other. Students should check with the colleges they are interested in to determine which test they should take.

Ultimately, the decision to take the ACT or SAT is a personal one. Some students may perform better on one test than the other, depending on their strengths and weaknesses. It is important for students to prepare for the test they choose to take, whether through self-study or with the help of a tutor or test prep course.

Group of students laughing at each other.

In conclusion, both the ACT and SAT are important standardized tests used by colleges and universities in the admissions process. While they differ in structure and content, and the gaps are bridged by tools such as SAT to ACT conversion charts, they both measure a student’s ability to think critically and solve problems.

Students should consider their own strengths and weaknesses as well as the preferences of the colleges they are interested in when deciding which test to take. With proper preparation, students can perform their best on either test and increase their chances of getting accepted into the college of their choice.

Through the years, AdmissionSight has successfully assisted thousands of high school students in going through the rigorous college admissions process. In most cases, these students end up getting accepted to top universities such as Harvard and Princeton.

We provide a wide range of services to help high school students get the most out of the college admissions process. We’re happy to talk to you about how we can help you. If you’d like more information about our services, please contact us today.

We’ll set up a free consultation to talk about the various aspects of the college admissions process, and we’re happy to answer all of your questions.

 

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