The lowest score line for the 2026 SAT exam is 400, while for the ACT exam, it is 12. This is based on the standard scoring scales for both tests. The SAT consists of two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, and Math, each with a score range of 200-800. The total score is the sum of these two sections. The ACT, on the other hand, has four sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science, each scored on a scale of 1-36. The composite score is the average of these four sections.

The reason these are the lowest score lines is due to the standardized scoring systems used by both the College Board for the SAT and ACT Inc. for the ACT. The SAT's scoring system has remained relatively consistent over the years, with a minimum score of 200 in each section. The ACT's scoring system, while it has seen some changes, has maintained a minimum score of 1 in each section. These minimum scores are set to ensure that all students have a baseline from which to improve and that the scores are meaningful in the context of college admissions.

Data from the College Board and ACT Inc. confirm these score lines. According to the College Board, the average SAT score for the class of 2025 was 1050, with a range of 200-1600. The ACT reported that the average composite score for the same class was 21, with a range of 1-36. These averages and ranges further illustrate the significance of the minimum score lines for both exams.