Decoding Your 32 ACT Score: What's the SAT Equivalent?

For many high school students, the ACT and SAT are significant milestones on the path to college. These standardized tests are designed to assess a student's readiness for college-level work and are used by universities across the United States as part of their admissions process. If you've recently taken the ACT and received a score of 32, you're likely wondering how that translates to the SAT. Understanding the equivalent SAT score can help you gauge your competitiveness for different colleges and universities and decide whether or not to take the SAT.

Understanding ACT and SAT Scores

The ACT (American College Testing) and SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) are standardized tests used for college admissions. The ACT consists of four mandatory sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science, with an optional writing section. The SAT, on the other hand, has sections on Reading, Writing and Language, and Mathematics.

The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with the composite score being the average of the four sections. The writing section is scored separately and does not contribute to the composite score. The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, with each section contributing to the total score.

Converting Your ACT Score to an SAT Equivalent

Converting an ACT score to its SAT equivalent isn't an exact science, but it provides a useful estimate. The ACT and College Board have jointly published concordance tables that allow for score comparisons between the two tests.

Based on these official concordance tables, a 32 ACT composite score is roughly equivalent to an SAT composite score in the range of 1420-1450. Some sources say the equivalent SAT score is in the 1450 to 1480 range. According to the established concordance tables, a 32 ACT score is roughly equivalent to an SAT score of 1420-1440. This means that if you were to take the SAT, you would likely score somewhere within this range, assuming you perform similarly on both tests.

Read also: Decoding Yale Admissions

Is a 32 ACT Score Good?

A 32 on the ACT is an excellent score. A 32 ACT score puts you at the 97th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 97% of all test takers! A 32 ACT score makes you eligible to apply to any college, makes you a competitive candidate at all but a handful, and should earn you merit aid from both your potential future college or university, as well as from third-party scholarship providers.

Deciding Whether to Take the SAT

With a 32 on the ACT, you might be wondering if it's even worth taking the SAT. Here are some factors to consider:

College Requirements: Check the average SAT and ACT scores of accepted students at the colleges and universities you're interested in. If your 32 ACT score falls within or above their typical range, you may not need to take the SAT.
Personal Strengths: Some students perform better on one test than the other. If you feel you have strengths that the SAT might highlight better than the ACT, it could be worth trying.
Practice Tests: Taking practice tests for both the SAT and ACT can help you determine which test better reflects your academic potential.
Time and Effort: Preparing for the SAT requires time and effort. Consider whether you're willing to invest the necessary resources, especially if your ACT score already meets the requirements of your target schools.

Colleges You Can Get Into with a 32 ACT Score

A score of 32 is competitive for acceptance at just about any college. A 32 ACT not only makes you an eligible candidate for acceptance, it also makes you a competitive one. This high of an ACT score will also likely provide a decent amount of merit aid at most colleges and universities, especially paired with a decent GPA, whether it’s a large public university or a small private liberal arts college.

The only reason to consider retaking the ACT at this point would be if you have your eye on an Ivy League Institution. A 32 makes you eligible to apply, but it doesn’t make you the most competitive candidate. Falling in the 25th percentile of what they accept, a 32 is still a good score to apply with, but most students they accept fall in the 34-35 range, which makes up their 75th percentile. The higher your ACT score, the more difficult it can be to elevate it, even the few points that make up the distance between 32 and 35. With some concerted effort, though, it’s definitely possible.

Maximizing Your College Application

Regardless of whether you decide to take the SAT, it's important to focus on other aspects of your college application:

Read also: SAT Requirements for LSU

GPA: Maintain a strong GPA by excelling in your coursework.
Extracurriculars: Participate in extracurricular activities that demonstrate your interests and skills.
Essays: Write compelling personal essays that showcase your personality and experiences.
Recommendations: Request letters of recommendation from teachers who know you well and can speak to your abilities and character.

ACT Sections

The ACT exam consists of four mandatory sections and one optional writing section. The sections on the ACT include:

English: This section tests grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and rhetorical skills. The total time is 45 minutes, and there are 75 questions.
Mathematics: This section covers pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. The total time is 60 minutes, and there are 60 questions.
Science: This section assesses interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills in natural sciences. The total time is 35 minutes, and there are 40 questions.
Reading: This section tests reading comprehension through passages from social studies, natural sciences, literary fiction, and humanities. The total time is 35 minutes, and there are 40 questions.
Writing (Optional): This section evaluates writing skills based on a given prompt. The total time is 40 minutes, and it consists of 1 essay.

Preparing for the ACT Test

There is one simple way to register to take an ACT Test. Your first step to improve your test score. Our ACT / SAT / AP report is an invaluable tool in planning how best to conquer the ACT exam.

ACT to SAT Concordance Table PDF

You can use it to convert your ACT score to a SAT score.

Scholarships for a 32 ACT Score

A 32 ACT score will earn you a sizable amount of merit aid, both from your potential college or university and from third-party scholarship providers. On top of merit aid, you should also apply to scholarships based on location, future major, extracurriculars, passions, and more!

Conclusion

A 32 on the ACT is a great accomplishment that opens doors to many colleges and universities. While the SAT equivalent is approximately 1420-1450, the decision to take the SAT depends on your individual circumstances and goals. By carefully considering your options and focusing on all aspects of your college application, you can maximize your chances of getting into the school of your dreams.

Read also: Decoding Princeton Admissions

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