TRANSLATING GPA TO COMPARIBLE ACT/SAT SCORES

The following chart suggests ACT and SAT goal scores to support and verify GPA on a college application.

GPA                             COMPATIBLE SCORES
                                         ACT                        SAT
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+4.0                               36                          1570-1600
4.0                                 35                          1530-1560
3.9                                 34                          1490-1520
3.8                                 33                          1450-1480
3.7                                 32                          1420-1440 
3.6                                 31                          1390-1410
3.5                                 30                          1360-1380
3.4                                 29                          1330-1350
3.2-3.3                           28                          1300-1320
3.0-3.1                           27                          1260-1290
2.8-2.9                           26                          1230-1250
2.6-2.7                           25                          1200-1220
2.4-2.5                           24                           1160-1190
2.2-2.3                           23                           1130-1150
2.0-2.1                           22                           1100-1120
1.8-1.9                           21                           1060-1090
1.6-1.7                           20                           1030-1050
1.5                                 19                             990-1020
1.4                                 18                             960-980
1.3                                 17                             920-950
1.2                                 16                             880-910
1.1                                 15                             830-870
1.0                                 14                             780-820
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While every college will have its own desired GPA and entrance exam standards, these guidelines are based on a compilation of schools across the nation.  If the student's GPA is significantly higher than the ACT or SAT would suggest, he or she should be prepared to introduce the disparity and provide a reasonable explanation on college application essays and interviews.  For example, "I've always worked harder than the classroom teacher requires and taken advanced classes where I had to study longer and smarter than some other students.  My grades are an indication of my commitment to challenging myself to achieve academic excellence."

If the entrance exam score is noticeably higher than the GPA, an explanation might include reference to an illness that was overcome or a "slow start Freshman year" that can be shown to have risen impressively over the next 2 years.

The best outcome is the highest possible GPA supported fully by the ACT or SAT result.  But if the situation requires, a college essay about a hurdle that was overcome can counter anomalies.