South Dakota School of Mines and Technology SAT Scores, GPA, and ACT (2026)
By the Cheetah Prep team · Reviewed July 15, 2026
SAT middle 50 percent
1140 to 1340
Half of enrolled students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology scored in this range on the SAT. One quarter scored above 1340, and one quarter below 1140.
- Average composite
- 1245
- Acceptance rate
- 79.9%
- ACT range
- 24 to 30
- Test policy
- Test optional
- Location
- Rapid City, SD
- Undergraduates
- 2,071
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology SAT Scores and Admissions
About 80 of every 100 applicants get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, so the admission rate of 79.9% tells you this is a school you can plan for rather than gamble on. That context matters when you read the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology SAT scores, because the middle 50 percent of admitted students land between 1140 and 1340. Half of enrolled students scored inside that band. A quarter came in under 1140, and a quarter came in above 1340.
The average SAT here sits at 1245, which falls right in the upper middle of that range. This is a public university in Rapid City, SD, and it stays small on purpose, with around 2,071 students enrolled. The section splits are worth a look before you set a goal. Reading and Writing runs from 560 to 660, and Math runs from 580 to 680. The ACT middle 50 covers 24 to 30 for anyone who prefers that test. In the most recent federal data, testing was reported as optional for the 2024 to 2025 cycle, so scores are one part of the file rather than a hard gate.
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South Dakota School of Mines and Technology SAT Score Breakdown by Section
Here is the section by section SAT profile of enrolled students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, from the federal College Scorecard.
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 560 | 660 |
| Math | 580 | 680 |
| CompositeTotal SAT | 1140 | 1340 |
The College Board reports section percentiles, not section averages, so an average is shown for the composite only.
Where this sits on the 400 to 1600 scale
1140 to 1340
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Admissions Calculator: What Are Your Chances?
Enter your SAT score and unweighted GPA for an honest read on your chances of getting into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, measured against real enrolled student data instead of a made up percentage.
No SAT score yet? Take the diagnostic and get a real number in about 25 minutes.
How this calculator works: your SAT is compared with South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's reported middle 50 percent range from the federal College Scorecard, your GPA is compared with the range admitted students at similarly selective schools typically present, and both are weighed against the school's real acceptance rate. We do not print a made up percent chance. No calculator can see your essays, your course rigor, or your recommendations, and at selective schools those decide close calls. Treat this as an honest read of your academic position, not a prediction.
Chances of Getting Into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology by SAT Score
Here is what specific scores mean at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, based on its reported 1140 to 1340 middle 50 percent range. Find the row closest to your score, or use the calculator above for a read on your exact numbers. No made up percentages: each verdict is your real position in the enrolled class.
| SAT score | Where it lands | The honest read |
|---|---|---|
| 990 | Well below the 25th percentile | A 990 is well below the 1140 to 1340 range at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. On testing alone this score does not keep the application in contention, so raising it is the priority. |
| 1090 | Just below the 25th percentile | A 1090 falls just short of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's 25th percentile of 1140. Some students get in below the range, but they usually bring something exceptional elsewhere in the application. |
| 1240 | Inside the middle 50 percent | A 1240 sits inside the 1140 to 1340 range, matching the profile of enrolled students. This is a competitive score here. |
| 1340 | At the 75th percentile | A 1340 matches the 75th percentile at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, stronger than about 3 out of 4 enrolled students. Testing is a clear strength at this level. |
| 1370 | Above the 75th percentile | A 1370 beats the 75th percentile at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. The score is doing all it can; nothing more is gained by retaking. |
How to Raise Your SAT Score to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's Range
The two targets that matter here are 1140, the score that puts you inside the admitted range, and 1340, the score that puts you in the top quarter. Here is the size of the jump from common starting points, with the step by step plan for each one.
| Starting score | To reach 1140 | To reach 1340 | The plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | +140 points | +340 points | All score plans |
| 1100 | +40 points | +240 points | 1100 to 1400 plan |
| 1200 | Already there | +140 points | 1200 to 1400 plan |
| 1300 | Already there | +40 points | 1300 to 1400 plan |
Not sure where you stand today? The diagnostic gives you a real starting score and a section breakdown in one sitting, so the gap you plan around is your actual gap.
What SAT Score Do You Need for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
Here is how to read your own number against the 1140 to 1340 band. Score below 1140 and you sit under the 25th percentile, which means most admitted students did better on the test. That does not close the door at a school admitting 79.9% of applicants, but it puts more weight on your grades and the rest of your file. Land between 1140 and 1340 and you are inside the middle 50 percent, right where half of enrolled students scored. Clear 1340 and you are in the top quarter of the pool.
The section splits show where the bar sits higher. Math runs 580 to 680, while Reading and Writing runs 560 to 660. Math sets the tougher target by 20 points at both ends, which fits a technical university. If your Math score trails your Reading and Writing score, that gap is the first thing to close. A balanced 1245, the school's average, keeps you comfortably in range across both sections.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology GPA Requirements
Admitted students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology typically present an unweighted GPA in the range of 3.0 to 3.5. That band comes from the school's 79.9% admission rate, and it gives you a realistic sense of the academic record most enrolled students bring.
The number on your transcript is only part of the picture. Grades earned in rigorous courses count as much as the GPA itself, so a B in a hard science or math class can carry more weight than an easy A. This school leans technical, and course choices in STEM subjects say a lot about whether you are ready for the work. If your GPA sits at the lower edge of that 3.0 to 3.5 band, a strong SAT is the fastest way to offset it. A score near or above the 1340 mark shows you can handle the material, even if your grades took time to climb. Keep taking challenging classes, and let a solid test score do some of the talking.
Typical admitted GPA
Admitted students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology typically present a GPA in the 3.0 to 3.5 range on an unweighted 4.0 scale. Steady grades in a reasonable course load are usually enough on the GPA side of the application.
If your GPA sits at or below this range, a strong SAT score is the fastest way to stay competitive, since grades are hard to move late in high school. See where your SAT score really stands and build the plan around the gap.
These are unweighted grades on a 4.0 scale. A school that weights GPA or reports a different scale will show a higher number.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology SAT Testing Policy
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology considered scores without requiring them (test optional) in the most recent federal data. Testing policies change year to year, so confirm the current 2026-2027policy on the school's admissions site before you decide whether to submit scores.
Should you submit your score?
Submit your score when it is at or above 1240, the middle of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's range. If you are below 1140, the 25th percentile, consider holding your score and letting your grades, essays, and activities carry the application.
Last verified July 15, 2026
Should You Submit Your SAT Score to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology was test optional in the most recent federal data, which turns your score into a strategic choice. The folk theory that applying without scores signals weakness is overstated, but the math of what helps is simple: a score that lands inside or above the admitted range works for you, and a score well below it does not.
1240+
Submit
At or above the middle of the admitted range, submitting clearly helps. A real data point beats an open question.
1140 to 1240
Lean submit
Inside the range, most counselors say send it: you are within the profile of enrolled students, and holding it back leaves the reader guessing.
Below 1140
Usually hold it
Below the 25th percentile the score rarely helps at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Apply without it, or better, close the gap first. Scores can still matter for merit scholarships elsewhere on your list.
Policy as reported for the 2024-2025 cycle. We verified it against South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's own site, where any mid cycle change would appear first.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology ACT Scores: Should You Take the SAT or ACT?
The middle 50 percent of enrolled students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology scored between 24 and 30 on the ACT, alongside the 1140 to 1340 SAT range. Like nearly every US college, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology states no preference between the two tests. The right move is to take whichever test converts higher for you, using the official concordance below, and send that one.
| ACT composite | SAT equivalent |
|---|---|
| 30 | 1360 to 1380 |
| 29 | 1330 to 1350 |
| 28 | 1300 to 1320 |
| 27 | 1260 to 1290 |
| 26 | 1230 to 1250 |
| 25 | 1200 to 1220 |
| 24 | 1160 to 1190 |
| 23 | 1130 to 1150 |
SAT equivalents from the official College Board and ACT concordance tables. Highlighted rows fall inside South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's ACT middle 50 percent.
How to Get Into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Set your targets against the real numbers. Hitting 1140 or higher keeps you at or above the 25th percentile, which keeps you in range for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Push to 1340 or higher and you land in the top quarter of admitted students, which can help your application stand out and can matter for merit aid conversations. For the sections, aim for at least 580 on Math and 560 on Reading and Writing to match the lower edges, then build from there.
Work backward from those targets. Since Math carries the higher bar here, give it the larger share of your study time if that is your weaker section. Our score plans turn a goal like 1340 into weekly steps so you know what to study and when. If you are not sure where you stand yet, start with a diagnostic to see your current Math and Reading and Writing scores side by side. Your next step is simple: get a baseline, then aim it at 1140 first and 1340 after that.
How Hard Is It to Get Into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology admits about 799 of every 1,000 applicants, and enrolls an undergraduate class of about 2,071. That ratio, not any single cutoff, is what makes the admitted profile look the way it does: when a school turns away 201 of every 1,000 people who apply, the students who get in cluster at the top of every measurable scale.
For perspective against the country as a whole: South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's 25th percentile score of 1140 already beats roughly 65% of all SAT takers nationally, and its 75th percentile of 1340 sits around the 90th percentile. A score that feels middling on this page is an excellent score almost anywhere else, which is worth remembering when you build the rest of your list.
Colleges Similar to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology: Reach, Match, and Safety Options
Real reported ranges from schools students often consider alongside South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, ordered by acceptance rate. Odds are compared on acceptance rate first, because a school with a lower SAT average can still be far harder to get into.
| School | SAT middle 50 percent | Acceptance rate | Odds vs South Dakota School of Mines and Technology |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | 1140 to 1340 | 79.9% | This page |
| Baylor | 1200 to 1400 | 51.3% | Harder to get into than South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologySAT about 60 higher |
| DePauw | 1200 to 1410 | 57.2% | Harder to get into than South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologySAT about 65 higher |
| Queens University of Charlotte | 1140 to 1340 | 62.1% | Similar oddssimilar SAT range |
| Florida Southern | 1150 to 1330 | 64.4% | Similar oddssimilar SAT range |
| Augustana (SD) | 1150 to 1370 | 67.8% | Similar oddsSAT about 20 higher |
| Hartwick | 1070 to 1290 | 69.6% | Similar oddsSAT about 60 lower |
How Recent Are These South Dakota School of Mines and Technology SAT Scores?
Every score, rate, and enrollment figure on this page comes from the US Department of Education College Scorecard, 2024-2025 release, the same federal dataset colleges report into. Testing policy reflects the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. This page was last reviewed July 15, 2026.
Score ranges quoted around the web for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology disagree with each other more than you would expect, usually because a site is quoting an older class or an unlabeled estimate. We publish the reported number, label the vintage, and update when the source updates. We also cross checked South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's own admissions site, where any change would appear first.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology SAT Scores and GPA: Frequently Asked Questions
What SAT score do you need to get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's middle 50 percent SAT range is 1140 to 1340. Aim for at least 1140 to be competitive, and 1340 or higher to be a strong applicant. There is no hard cutoff, but a score in or above this range keeps your application in contention.
Is a 1140 a good SAT score for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
A 1140 sits at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's 25th percentile, the lower edge of its middle 50 percent range of 1140 to 1340. It keeps you in range, but a score closer to 1340 makes your application stronger.
What is the average SAT score at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
The average composite SAT score at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is 1245. The middle 50 percent of enrolled students scored between 1140 and 1340.
Does South Dakota School of Mines and Technology require SAT scores?
No. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology was test optional in the most recent federal data, so you can apply without SAT scores. Confirm the current 2026-2027 policy on the school's admissions site before you decide whether to submit.
Is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology test optional for 2026-2027?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology was test optional in the most recent federal data, meaning you could apply without scores. Policies change year to year, so verify the 2026-2027 policy on the school's admissions site.
What ACT score do you need for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's middle 50 percent ACT range is 24 to 30. Aim for at least 24 to be competitive and 30 or higher to be a strong applicant. A strong ACT can stand in for the SAT at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
What GPA do you need to get into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
Admitted students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology typically present an unweighted GPA in the 3.0 to 3.5 range on the 4.0 scale, based on schools with a comparable acceptance rate. Grades earned in rigorous courses matter as much as the number itself, and a strong SAT score is the fastest way to offset a GPA at the lower edge of that range.
What is South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's acceptance rate?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology admits about 79.9% of applicants, which makes it less selective. A strong SAT score still helps your application stand out, especially for selective majors, honors programs, and merit scholarships.
What are my chances of getting into South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology admits about 79.9% of applicants, so your chances depend on where you sit against the admitted pool. The middle 50 percent of enrolled students scored 1140 to 1340 on the SAT and admitted students typically carry an unweighted GPA around 3.0 to 3.5. A score above 1340 puts you in the strongest quarter of the class on testing. Use the admissions calculator on this page to check your own SAT and GPA against South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's real numbers.
How can I raise my SAT score for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology?
Focus your prep on the section costing you the most points, then follow a study plan built for your target score range. Cheetah Prep has step by step score plans for specific point jumps and unlimited practice questions with worked solutions.
Does South Dakota School of Mines and Technology superscore the SAT?
Superscore policies vary by school and change year to year, and South Dakota School of Mines and Technology does not report this in the federal data. Check the school's admissions site for its current superscore policy, which tells you whether it combines your best section scores across test dates.
About this page: written and reviewed by the Cheetah Prep team. Last reviewed July 15, 2026.
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