Wyoming Teens Crush the SAT — But There’s a Catch

On paper, Wyoming high schoolers are crushing it on the SAT. With an average score of 1253, the Cowboy State ranks second-highest in the country — just three points behind Kansas. Not bad, right?

But before we break out the celebratory confetti, there’s one important detail: almost nobody in Wyoming takes the SAT.

Seriously — in 2024, only 84 students statewide sat for the exam. That’s just about 1% of the state’s high schoolers. The only place with fewer test-takers was North Dakota, with 58. And while Wyoming beat North Dakota’s average score (1253 to 1232), these numbers are coming from a tiny sample size.

So what gives?

Well, unlike states like Colorado, Michigan, or West Virginia — where the SAT is a graduation requirement — Wyoming students aren’t required to take the test at all. In fact, many opt out entirely, especially with more colleges going test-optional. That means the only ones taking it here are often the college-bound overachievers, which naturally bumps up the state’s average score.

In short, yes, the Wyoming kids who take the SAT are scoring high — but it’s a very specific group. So while it’s technically true that Wyoming’s SAT scores are top-tier, it doesn’t exactly mean the average Wyoming student is testing like a genius.

Still, if your student is thinking about college, the SAT can be a solid way to stand out. And even though it’s not required in Wyoming, you can find local testing locations through the College Board’s website. Just don’t wait until senior year to start planning.

So are Wyoming kids the smartest in the country? Maybe. Or maybe just the ones taking the SAT are. Either way, 1253 isn’t too shabby.

The original story by Drew Kirby for Laramie Live.