Old SAT to New SAT Score Conversion Chart

SAT scores are a critical part of the college admissions process. This standardized test is accepted by thousands of colleges and universities across the United States with the goal of comparing the performance of applicants in an objective and measurable way.

To gain a better understanding of how you need to score on the SAT, it’s crucial to understand what the test results mean. If you’ve done some research already, you’ve probably seen mention of “old” and “new” SAT scores. Here, we’ll take a look at the difference along with a detailed old SAT to New SAT score conversion chart to clear up any confusion for applicants.

SAT Score to ACT Score Chart

Before we dive into the specifics of the change between the old and new SAT scoring system, let’s compare the current SAT scoring system with that of the ACT. This is a great way to see how your scores on either standardized test can impact your chances of getting into the college of your choice. Keep in mind that you have a choice between the ACT and SAT when applying to college.

SAT Total Score	ACT Composite Score
1600	36
*1590	36
1580	36
1570	36
1560	35
1550	35
*1540	35
1530	35
1520	34
1510	34
*1500	34
1490	34
1480	33
1470	33
*1460	33
1450	33
1440	32
*1430	32
1420	32
1410	31
*1400	31
1390	31
1380	30
*1370	30
1360	30
1350	29
*1340	29
1330	29
1320	28
*1310	28
1300	28
1290	27
*1280	27
1270	27
1260	27
1250	26
*1240	26
1230	26
1220	25
*1210	25
1200	25
1190	24
*1180	24
1170	24
1160	24
1150	23
*1140	23
1130	23
1120	22
*1110	22
1100	22
1090	21
*1080	21
1070	21
1060	21
1050	20
*1040	20
1030	20
1020	19
*1010	19
1000	19
990	19
980	18
*970	18
960	18
950	17
940	17
*930	17
920	17
910	16
900	16
*890	16
880	16
870	15
860	15
*850	15
840	15
830	15
820	14
810	14
*800	14
790	14
780	14
770	13
*760	13
750	13
740	13
730	13
720	12
*710	12
700	12
690	12
680	11
*670	11
660	11
650	11
640	10
*630	10
620	10
610	9
600	9
*590	9

*This SAT score can be used when you need a single score point comparison.

How Was the SAT Scoring System Changed?

In early 2016, the College Board, the nonprofit behind the SAT exam, decided to make some major changes to the standardized test. In the past, the SAT’s total score was 2400 with each individual section – Math, Writing, & Critical Reading – being out of 800. The new version of the SAT combines the Writing and Critical Reading section into a single part called Evidence-Based Reading and Writing.

There were also three Math sections in the origins SAT exam. These separate sections have also been combined into two Math portions. One section allows students to use a calculator while the other doesn’t. The idea behind this split was to see how students performed both with aid from a calculator and without.

Another major change at the time was making the essay section optional. In the past, it was a required portion of the SAT, and the score factored into a student’s Writing score. Now, it’s completely optional for high schoolers, and the score is provided separately. However, it’s still highly recommended for high schoolers since it’s just another way to stand out from other applicants.

All of these consolidations and removal of sections brought the total score of the SAT down to 1600. Naturally, many students want to know how old and new SAT scores convert. Whether you want to compare an older score within the newer scoring system or you need to update some outdated information online for your research.

Regardless, there are many reasons why you’d need an old SAT to new SAT score conversion. Instead of having to do the complicated math on your own, we’ve compiled an in-depth list comparing all of the possible old SAT scores with those of the new SAT. We’ve even thrown in corresponding ACT scores to take your research even further.

Old SAT to New SAT Score Conversion

Old SAT Score (600-2400)	New SAT Score (400-1600)	ACT Composite Score
2400	1600	36
2390	1600	36
2380	1590	35
2370	1590	35
2360	1590	35
2350	1580	35
2340	1580	35
2330	1570	35
2320	1570	35
2310	1560	35
2300	1560	35
2290	1550	34
2280	1550	34
2270	1550	34
2260	1540	34
2250	1540	34
2240	1530	34
2230	1530	34
2220	1520	34
2210	1520	34
2200	1510	33
2190	1510	33
2180	1510	33
2170	1500	33
2160	1500	33
2150	1490	33
2140	1490	33
2130	1480	32
2120	1480	32
2110	1470	32
2100	1470	32
2090	1460	32
2080	1450	32
2070	1450	32
2060	1440	31
2050	1440	31
2040	1430	31
2030	1430	31
2020	1420	31
2010	1410	30
2000	1410	30
1990	1400	30
1980	1400	30
1970	1390	30
1960	1380	29
1950	1380	29
1940	1370	29
1930	1370	29
1920	1360	29
1910	1350	29
1900	1350	29
1890	1340	28
1880	1340	28
1870	1330	28
1860	1320	28
1850	1320	28
1840	1310	28
1830	1300	27
1820	1300	27
1810	1290	27
1800	1290	27
1790	1280	27
1780	1270	26
1770	1270	26
1760	1260	26
1750	1250	26
1740	1250	26
1730	1240	26
1720	1230	25
1710	1230	25
1700	1220	25
1690	1210	25
1680	1210	25
1670	1200	25
1660	1200	25
1650	1190	24
1640	1180	24
1630	1180	24
1620	1170	24
1610	1160	24
1600	1160	24
1590	1150	23
1580	1140	23
1570	1140	23
1560	1130	23
1550	1120	22
1540	1120	22
1530	1110	22
1520	1110	22
1510	1100	22
1500	1090	21
1490	1090	21
1480	1080	21
1470	1070	21
1460	1070	21
1450	1060	21
1440	1050	20
1430	1050	20
1420	1040	20
1410	1030	20
1400	1030	20
1390	1020	20
1380	1020	20
1370	1010	19
1360	1000	19
1350	1000	19
1340	990	19
1330	980	19
1320	980	19
1310	970	18
1300	960	18
1290	950	18
1280	950	18
1270	940	18
1260	930	17
1250	930	17
1240	920	17
1230	910	17
1220	910	17
1210	900	17
1200	890	16
1190	890	16
1180	880	16
1170	870	16
1160	870	16
1150	860	16
1140	850	15
1130	850	15
1120	840	15
1110	830	15
1100	830	15
1090	820	15
1080	810	15
1070	810	15
1060	800	14
1050	800	14
1040	790	14
1030	780	14
1020	780	14
1010	770	14
1000	760	14
990	760	14
980	750	13
970	740	13
960	740	13
950	730	13
940	730	13
930	720	13
920	710	12
910	710	12
900	700	12
890	690	12
880	690	12
870	680	12
860	670	12
850	660	12
840	650	12
830	640	12
820	630	12
810	620	11
800	610	11
790	600	11
780	590	11
770	580	11
760	560	11
750	550	NA*
740	540	NA*
730	530	NA*
720	520	NA*
710	510	NA*
700	500	NA*
690	490	NA*
680	480	NA*
670	470	NA*
660	460	NA*
650	450	NA*
640	440	NA*
630	430	NA*
620	420	NA*
610	410	NA*
600	400	NA*

* There’s not enough information to provide a valid comparison for lower scores on the ACT with that of the SAT due to the scoring difference.

How Does My SAT Score Impact My College Application?

Colleges and universities throughout the country have been considering standardized test scores as an integral part of the admissions process for decades. Although many schools temporarily stopped requiring the SAT & ACT for the Class of 2021-2022 due to COVID-19 complications, many are resuming the requirement.

As with any application requirement, the SAT plays a significant role in the final decision of whether or not you’re accepted. While it’s true college admissions officers take a holistic approach – meaning they take a wide variety of factors into account – your SAT score is definitely a major component.

As long as everything else on your application is strong, the higher your SAT score, the better chances you have of getting accepted. The same applies in the opposite direction. The lower your SAT score, the lower your odds of getting admitted. That’s why it’s critical for high schoolers to score as high as possible on the SAT exam.

What’s a Good SAT Score for College?

Overall, an SAT score higher than the 50th percentile – which is the median score – can be viewed as a decent score. In a real sense, this means you’ve outperformed the majority of high schoolers taking the exam. It might sound good to you, but the question is whether or not admissions officers will see it that way.

Most selective colleges won’t see an SAT score close to the 50th percentile as good. Naturally, the more competitive the school, the higher score you’ll need to get considered. The standard for what’s viewed as “good” increases the more selective the school. For example, Ivy League schools have higher expectations for SAT scores than standard public colleges.

Instead of aiming for the 50th percentile, it’s a good idea to set your sights a bit higher to the 75th percentile. This would come out to be 1200 or higher. According to our old SAT to new SAT score conversion chart, that would be 1660 to 1670 on the previous SAT scoring method. No matter which college or university you’re applying to, this would be viewed as a good score.

How to Improve Your SAT Score

1. Start preparing early.

A key strategy to maximizing your SAT score is to start preparing early. Generally, the latest you can take the exam is the fall semester of your senior year as college application deadlines come soon after. While you technically have up until that point to prepare for the SAT, we advise students to take the test earlier.

Ideally, high schoolers can take the SAT for the first time during their sophomore year and once again during their junior year. This gives you two opportunities to get your desired score while still having an additional opportunity your senior year if you need it. In this timeline, you’d have to start preparing for the SAT at least at the beginning of your freshman year.

The more preparation you have before the SAT, the better chance you have of scoring in that coveted 75th-percentile.

2. Practice with previously administered tests.

Preparing for the SAT requires a multi-faceted approach that focuses on a wide range of elements including the material on the exam, the subjects covered, and the time limit provided among other factors. But no preparation would be complete without exploring some content from previous exams.

That’s right! There are official SAT exams that have been previously administered available for students to practice with. These exams give you an accurate idea of what you can expect to see on the SAT while giving you the perfect opportunity to have a practice run at taking the exam with a time limit.

These published SAT exams can be found online or in some published books. There are also plenty of sample tests and example questions that resemble what’s found in the SAT without having actually been published in the past. These are also helpful.

3. Take the test more than once.

It might come as a surprise to you, but there’s no limit to the number of times you can take the SAT. The same is true for the ACT too. Before you start planning to take the SAT over and over and over again until you end up with a satisfactory score, there are some important caveats to take into consideration.

First and foremost, there’s a non-refundable fee for the SAT that’s due every time you take the exam. It might not sound like a lot for a single exam, but it quickly adds up over time the more you take it.

Another reason to avoid taking the SAT too many times is that it looks bad on your application. Admission officers see too many attempts as a sign that you’re underprepared.

But these caveats don’t mean there’s not a sweet spot to be found when trying to optimize your score by taking the SAT more than once. We typically advise students to only take the test three to four times. This gives you three to four times to maximize your score without reflecting poorly on your application.

4. Work with a college entrance expert.

One of the most effective ways to optimize your SAT score is to work with a highly experienced college entrance expert like AdmissionSight. For years, we’ve been helping students successfully prepare for standardized tests with the end goal of improving their application overall.

We’re well-versed in SAT exams, what the College Board puts on their tests, and how you can improve your ability to take the SAT. We’ll help you gain a better understanding of what to expect on the test and give you the tools you need to tackle the material without any issues. If you’re interested in SAT and ACT tutoring, AdmissionSight can help!

Need a Hand Getting Into Your Dream School?

It’s common for high schoolers to feel stressed, confused, and even a bit scared about the college application process. After all, you’ve worked for years to get to this point with a lot riding on your efforts. But how can you make sure you have the best chance of getting accepted into your dream college? By working with a college entrance expert, of course!

AdmissionSight is a college admission specialist with over a decade of experience helping students just like you put their best foot forward when applying to college. We have a proven track record of success with 75% of the students we work with getting accepted into a Top 10 University or Ivy League school. How do we do it?

We offer a wide range of services designed to help students improve all aspects of their application to greatly increase their chances of getting admitted. For example, we help students choose the best high school courses, select the ideal extracurricular activities, write excellent college essays, and much, much more.

We’ve already helped hundreds of students get accepted into the school of their dreams, and we’d love to do the same for you. Feel free to contact us to set up a free consultation. We’ll be happy to answer all of your questions and explain how we can help you achieve your goals.