SAT, ACT and GRE to IQ Converter
Standardized test scores correlate strongly with general cognitive ability, strongly enough that researchers have published regression formulas linking them. This tool applies those published mappings to estimate IQ from an SAT, ACT, or GRE score, or to run the conversion in reverse. Every result is an estimate, not a measurement.
Estimated IQ
121
Percentile
92nd
Based on the Frey and Detterman (2004) finding that the SAT functions as a strong proxy for general cognitive ability. Post-2016 scale assumed.
Curious what an IQ of 121 actually means? See the full percentile, career, and rarity breakdown on our IQ 121 page.
The Research Behind the Conversion
The SAT mapping follows Frey and Detterman's 2004 study in Psychological Science, which found SAT scores predict general cognitive ability about as well as some abbreviated IQ tests. The ACT mapping follows the 2008 follow-up by Koenig, Frey and Detterman, which reported a 0.77 correlation between ACT composites and g-loaded measures. GRE figures adjust for the selectivity of the graduate-bound population. We keep the full methodology, including each anchor point, documented on our methodology page.
Three caveats matter. First, intensive prep moves test scores more than it moves underlying ability, so a heavily prepped 1500 likely overstates the converted IQ. Second, these exams weight verbal and quantitative reasoning differently than IQ batteries, which also include spatial and working-memory tasks; someone with an uneven profile converts less cleanly. Third, older SAT scales (pre-2016, and especially pre-1995) map differently, and this tool assumes the current 1600-point scale. For deeper dives, see our written guides to SAT to IQ, ACT to IQ, and GRE to IQ conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is converting SAT scores to IQ?
Research by Frey and Detterman (2004) found the SAT correlates around 0.7 to 0.8 with general cognitive ability, which makes it a strong but imperfect proxy. A converted figure is a reasonable estimate with an error band of roughly 5 to 10 IQ points, and heavy test prep can inflate a SAT score relative to underlying ability.
What IQ does a 1400 SAT correspond to?
A 1400 SAT total maps to an estimated IQ of about 129 on this converter, putting it near the 97th percentile of the general population. The SAT-taking pool is more selective than the general population, which the regression mapping accounts for.
Why does the GRE convert differently than the SAT?
GRE takers are college graduates planning postgraduate study, a much more selective group than SAT takers. The same numerical position within the GRE pool therefore represents a higher general-population percentile, and the mapping reflects that selectivity.
Can I convert my IQ back to an expected SAT score?
Yes, the tool runs in both directions. Flip the direction toggle, enter an IQ, and it estimates the corresponding test score. The reverse estimate carries the same uncertainty as the forward one.
More Free IQ Tools
- IQ Percentile Calculator: percentile and rarity for any score
- How Rare Is Your IQ?: shareable rarity card
- Celebrity IQ Match: famous figures at your score
MyIQScores Editorial Team
Researchers in cognitive psychology, psychometrics & educational science
Last updated
May 10, 2026
All content on MyIQScores is reviewed for scientific accuracy against peer-reviewed research in cognitive psychology and psychometrics. Our editorial team cross-references each article with published literature before publication and updates pages whenever new research warrants a revision.