Are you interested in converting your GPA to ACT scores or vice versa? This can be useful if you're trying to estimate your ACT score based on your current grades. In this guide, we've pored over the statistics to give you the information needed to convert between GPA and ACT scores! However, before we get started, let's briefly go over a few caveats.
Converting GPA to ACT Scores? Beware of Caveats!
Before you look at the table below, it's important to remember that a person's ACT scores and their GPA show completely different things. An ACT score is based on a single test taken in one sitting while a GPA is based on years of schoolwork in numerous classes.
Because of this, the two numbers aren't perfectly comparable. Having a perfect GPA doesn't automatically mean you'll get a perfect 36 on the ACT, and having a low GPA doesn't mean you're doomed to perform poorly on the ACT either. Think of it this way: if a runner gets first place in the 100-meter dash, that doesn't automatically mean they'd get first place in a marathon as well!
However, you can roughly estimate one data point from the other by comparing how "good" each of them is. This is similar to saying that the fastest sprinter in the 100-meter dash converts to the fastest runner in a marathon if you were comparing the two races. The data we used matches ACT scores to GPA based on how good each of them is, and, more specifically, the percentiles of students earning each.
Conversion Between ACT Scores and GPA
| ACT Composite Score | GPA (4.0 Scale) |
| 36 | 4.00 |
| 35 | 4.00 |
| 34 | 3.99 |
| 33 | 3.99 |
| 32 | 3.99 |
| 31 | 3.98 |
| 30 | 3.98 |
| 29 | 3.97 |
| 28 | 3.95 |
| 27 | 3.93 |
| 26 | 3.89 |
| 25 | 3.84 |
| 24 | 3.76 |
| 23 | 3.67 |
| 22 | 3.54 |
| 21 | 3.39 |
| 20 | 3.23 |
| 19 | 3.05 |
| 18 | 2.85 |
| 17 | 2.64 |
| 16 | 2.37 |
| 15 | 2.05 |
| 14 | 1.65 |
| 13 | 0.81 |
| 12 | 0.00 |
| 11 | 0.00 |
| 10 | 0.00 |
| 9 | 0.00 |
| 8 | 0.00 |
| 7 | 0.00 |
| 6 | 0.00 |
| 5 | 0.00 |
| 4 | 0.00 |
| 3 | 0.00 |
| 2 | 0.00 |
| 1 | 0.00 |
Methodology: How did we develop this conversion? First, we used official data from the ACT to find precise percentiles down to the exact person. After that, we took the grade percentile data found in the above study to calculate class grade percentiles. Next, we presumed that, in order to get a particular GPA, a student with a median class grade of K (out of 100) could score uniformly six points either higher or lower. This allowed us to map percentiles to GPA and create the above table. Our methodology for mapping student class grades to GPA is proprietary. (C) 2016 PrepScholar Inc.
Did you know that increasing your ACT score by 4 points can significantly boost your chances of getting into your top schools? We've written a guide on the top five strategies you should be using in order to raise your ACT score. Download the guide for free now:
What’s Next?
Are you prepping for the SAT or going to be starting soon? Learn ways to practice that can get you a perfect score on the exam!
Is there a particular section of the SAT that's giving you trouble? Check out our section specific guides for SAT Math, Reading, and Writing and Language.
Wondering what to expect on SAT test day? We've got all the information you'll need to be prepared!
Have friends who also need help with test prep? Share this article!
Fred is co-founder of PrepScholar. He scored a perfect score on the SAT and is passionate about sharing information with aspiring students. Fred graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor's in Mathematics and a PhD in Economics.
Holly R.