How Hard Is the Cosmetologist Exam in South Dakota?
South Dakota does not publish a first-attempt pass rate for the Cosmetology exam. Nationally, pass rates are commonly reported around 75% — your result depends mainly on how you prepare.
Figures below come from the same dataset as the full guide and list only what the state publishes. Anything not published is marked “varies — check the board” rather than guessed.
Cosmetology exam difficulty — South Dakota at a glance
| First-attempt pass rate | Not published · national reference ~75% |
| Difficulty | Not rated |
| Questions | Not published |
| Time limit | Not published |
| Passing score | Not published |
| Exam vendor | State board |
Official source: South Dakota Cosmetology Commission ↗
Study strategies that work for the Cosmetology exam
State-law and state-rule questions are where most candidates lose points. Study the state portion before the national portion, then reinforce both with practice questions.
Take full-length practice tests in the real format until you consistently score above the passing standard. Review every missed question — the explanation matters more than the answer.
Many vendors (PSI, Pearson VUE, Prometric) return a report showing which content areas you missed. Study exactly those sections, then re-test them.
Know the question count and time limit going in. Flag hard questions and come back to them — finishing the exam beats getting stuck on a single item.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the Cosmetology exam in South Dakota?
No first-attempt pass rate is published by South Dakota; nationally, pass rates are commonly reported around 75%. Check South Dakota Cosmetology Commission for the current data.
What is a passing score on the Cosmetology exam in South Dakota?
The passing score for South Dakota is not published here — confirm with the exam vendor or South Dakota Cosmetology Commission.
How many questions are on the Cosmetology exam in South Dakota?
Question counts for South Dakota are not published here — check the exam vendor's candidate handbook.
How should I study for the Cosmetology exam?
Spend most of your time on the state-specific content, drill with timed practice exams until you consistently score above the passing standard, and review every missed question. If the vendor provides a weak-area diagnostic, study exactly those sections before retaking.
Plan your Cosmetology exam prep
This page is informational and not legal advice. Fees, pass rates and retake rules change frequently — verify all figures with South Dakota Cosmetology Commission and your exam vendor before paying (retrieved 2026-08-20).