SAT-ACT Concordance: What Tutors Need to Know

Every SAT or ACT tutor eventually faces the same question from parents and students: “How do SAT and ACT scores compare?” With both tests accepted equally by colleges, students often want to know if their ACT score is “good enough” compared to a peer’s SAT result—or vice versa. This is where concordance comes in.

For tutors, understanding SAT-ACT concordance is more than just knowing numbers on a chart. It’s a powerful tool to help families decide which test to pursue, set realistic improvement goals, and translate progress between the two exams. With the Digital SAT now in play, staying updated on concordance ensures you’re giving the most accurate, professional advice.

This guide will break down what concordance is, why it matters, how to use it in tutoring sessions, and what has changed with the digital shift.
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SAT-ACT Concordance Conversion Chart

Tutors need a reliable chart that shows the score equivalence between SAT and ACT. Colleges themselves use these concordance tables to evaluate applicants fairly.

Here’s the official concordance table:

(Source: College Board and ACT official concordance data)

How to use this table: Say a student scores 1300 on the SAT, you can show parents this aligns with about a 28 ACT. This helps them compare options and set realistic goals depending on which test they choose.

You can also use the official online SAT–ACT score converter for exact score lookups.
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What is concordance in SAT-ACT?

The term “concordance” can sound intimidating, but it simply means comparing one test’s scores to the other. It is like a translation tool that ensures fairness when students take different exams.

Concordance is a statistical method used to show how scores on the SAT compare to scores on the ACT. Since the two exams have different scoring scales—SAT (400-1600) and ACT (1-36)—colleges, tutors, and families need a way to interpret results fairly.

Colleges use concordance to evaluate applicants who submit different tests. For example, if one student applies with a 1450 SAT and another with a 32 ACT, admissions officers use concordance to understand that these scores represent a similar academic level.

Why concordance matters for SAT & ACT tutors

While being a technical detail, concordance is also a decision-making tool. It helps you:

• Compare a student’s performance across SAT and ACT practice tests. Concordance lets you see whether a student’s 1250 SAT score really stacks up to their 25 ACT, giving you an apples-to-apples comparison.
• Guide families in choosing which test to prioritize. Instead of guessing, you can confidently say, “Your child performs stronger on the SAT side, so that is where we will focus prep.”
• Set realistic score goals based on where a student stands now. By using concordance tables, you can show parents/guardians exactly how today’s score translates into a future target, keeping expectations grounded and motivating.

For example, if a student scores a 1250 SAT on a diagnostic but only a 25 ACT equivalent, you can advise focusing on the SAT because it reflects stronger performance and may offer quicker score gains.
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Understanding SAT-ACT concordance tables

Concordance tables are created through a collaboration between the College Board (SAT) and ACT, Inc. They analyze data from students who have taken both tests to find score equivalencies.

For you, this means the tables are not random—they are grounded in real test-taker data. Each row shows what SAT total score is statistically equivalent to an ACT composite score.

It is also important to note that equivalence is not always perfect. A 1300 SAT might overlap with both a 28 and a 29 ACT, depending on the concordance range. That is why you should always communicate concordance as an estimate, not a guarantee.

How tutors should use concordance in practice

Numbers alone do not help unless you put them into action. Here’s how concordance can shape test choice, progress tracking, and goal setting in tutoring sessions:

• Advise test choice: If a student performs significantly higher on one test in concordance terms, encourage them to focus on that test.
• Interpreting diagnostics: Run both a practice SAT and ACT, then use concordance to compare the results. For instance, a 31 ACT vs. a 1350 SAT would lean ACT, since 31 > 29 SAT equivalent.
• Benchmarking progress: If a student switches from ACT to SAT prep, you can use concordance to track progress seamlessly without losing context.

For example: A student improves from 1200 SAT → 1300 SAT, which translates from ACT 25 → ACT 27. You can show parents this progress in both scales, making growth more tangible.
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Digital SAT concordance: What has changed?

The move to the Digital SAT has raised questions about concordance accuracy. The College Board has confirmed that the Digital SAT and paper SAT are on the same 400-1600 scale. This means that existing SAT-ACT concordance tables still apply.

That said, the format of the Digital SAT has changed. It now features adaptive modules, a shorter test length, and digital tools like an on-screen calculator, annotation tool, and “mark for review.” These changes can influence how individual students perform. For instance, a student who struggles with long tests may benefit from the shorter format, while others may find adaptive modules add new pressure.

Because of these differences, concordance tables should be seen as a guideline, not a guarantee. Scores may shift slightly in adaptive environments, so it’s best to use concordance data alongside other insights from practice tests. Platforms like EdisonOS replicate the official Bluebook experience, complete with digital tools, so students can get realistic practice before test day.

For a full tutor guide to the Digital SAT, download our free ebook designed to help tutors adapt to the new format.
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Limitations of concordance

While concordance is helpful, it’s not perfect. Knowing its limits helps you set realistic expectations and explain to parents why professional judgment—not just numbers—still drives the best decisions.

• Percentiles differ: A 1300 SAT and a 28 ACT may concord, but they don’t always mean identical percentile rankings across the country.
• Student strengths vary: A student strong in math might excel more on the SAT, while a strong reader may do better on the ACT.
• Colleges vary: Most colleges trust concordance, but a few may weigh tests differently based on institutional priorities.

Frame concordance as a translation tool—it helps you compare scores across tests, but it should not be treated as the ultimate verdict.
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Tips for explaining concordance to students & parents

Even if you understand concordance, students and parents may find it confusing. The trick is breaking it down simply, clearing up common myths, and using examples they relate to.

• Explain it as a “translation dictionary” between the two tests. A 1400 SAT and a 30 ACT “speak the same language” of academic performance, even though they’re written differently. This analogy makes the concept less intimidating.
• Use visuals like charts instead of raw numbers. Instead of handing parents a table full of scores, show them a simple chart that maps SAT to ACT ranges. A visual makes it instantly clear and saves you from long explanations. Parents are far more likely to trust what they can see.
• Remind them that concordance predicts equivalence, not guaranteed performance. A student with a 1250 SAT equivalent may perform slightly better or worse on the ACT, depending on strengths like math vs. reading. This sets realistic expectations early.
• Clear up misconceptions like “a 30 ACT is always better than a 1400 SAT.” Show them that colleges view these scores as equal in strength. The difference lies in how a student achieved it and which test highlights their strengths better. Explaining this removes unnecessary pressure to “switch tests” just for bragging rights.

When you use less jargon and simplify complex topics like concordance, parents feel reassured instead of overwhelmed—and that trust makes your guidance exponentially more credible.
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The bottom line

SAT-ACT concordance gives tutors the tools to guide families with confidence. It allows you to translate scores fairly between the two tests, remove the guesswork, and build confidence in the decisions you recommend.

When you understand concordance deeply, you can help students identify which test better reflects their strengths and set growth goals that are realistic, measurable, and motivating. This shifts the conversation from “Which test should I take?” to “How can I maximize my performance on the right test for me?”

Ultimately, mastering concordance positions you as more than a test-prep tutor. You become the trusted advisor parents turn to for clarity in a process that often feels overwhelming. That credibility not only improves outcomes for students but also strengthens your reputation and value as a tutor.

How EdisonOS can help you

Knowing concordance is one thing, but presenting it clearly is another. EdisonOS gives you the tools to turn data into dashboards, making conversations about SAT vs ACT smoother and more persuasive.

• Run diagnostics on both SAT and ACT to see where students naturally perform better.

• Use concordance-linked score reports to compare results side by side and predict which test offers the best advantage.
• Design custom study plans that double down on the stronger test while addressing weak areas efficiently.

• Show parents visual dashboards that clearly explain score equivalencies, turning complex data into simple, confidence-building insights.

With EdisonOS, you can back up your pricing, professionalism, and outcomes with structure.

Book a demo today to turn SAT-ACT concordance into actionable prep strategies for your students.