Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
South Dakota Mines accepted tests
From South Dakota Mines' international undergraduate admissions page. The page does not list IELTS band minimums.
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 79 (120 scale) or 4.0 (6.0 scale); Duolingo 105; PTE 56 |
| Exempt | Not needed | Citizens of exempt-list countries; SAT English 500 or ACT English 18 |
Testing on arrival
The page says minimum scores require English proficiency testing on arrival at the university. Applicants with a different proficiency score can contact the university to ask whether it qualifies.
Free test: are you at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (South Dakota Mines)'s score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
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Conditional pathway and graduate study
Undergraduate and graduate students admitted through the conditional pathway must complete Level 112 at ELS Language Centers. The page publishes no separate graduate English scores, so graduate applicants should confirm with their programme.
The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the university's admission requirement, which leads to your Form I-20. For the wider picture, see IELTS for the USA.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your South Dakota Mines programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (South Dakota Mines) publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does South Dakota Mines need?+
A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 for international undergraduates.
Does South Dakota Mines accept Duolingo?+
Yes, a minimum score of 105.
Will I be tested again at South Dakota Mines?+
The page says students admitted on minimum scores take English proficiency testing on arrival.
Can I skip IELTS for South Dakota Mines with the SAT?+
Yes. An SAT English score of at least 500 or an ACT English score of at least 18 exempts you.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- South Dakota State University IELTS requirement
- University of South Dakota IELTS requirement
- Michigan Tech IELTS requirement
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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