According to experts, the minimum score requirements in English proficiency tests can vary depending on the undergraduate and graduate programs.

Over 3 million IELTS tests were conducted last year and accepted by more than 3,400 institutions in the United States.

FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS planning to study undergraduate or graduate programs in the United States, standardized English proficiency tests are often required for admission. Tests such as TOEFL and IELTS help demonstrate to admissions advisors how well international applicants grasp the English language.

Many schools accept IELTS scores from applicants. Over 3 million IELTS tests were conducted last year, and the test is accepted by more than 3,400 institutions in the United States, according to a British Council spokesperson.

Test-takers can choose to take the IELTS on paper or computer, either of which typically takes about three hours. The test is assessed in four different sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking, and scores range from 1 to 9 for each section. The overall score is the average across all sections. There are no pass or fail marks in the IELTS exam.

Schools in the U.S. that accept the test have their own minimum IELTS score requirements, and the benchmark score may vary between universities.

For Undergraduate Admissions Experts suggest that students should check with each university to understand what IELTS score is considered good for undergraduate admission, as well as other details beyond the minimum score.

Eliot Friesen-Meyers, director of IELTS curriculum at Magoosh, a California-based online test prep company, says, “Some programs require a minimum overall score within a certain range, typically 6.0 to 7.0, but they may also require that students achieve a certain score in one or more specific sections of the test – usually the writing section,”

For example, the University of Colorado — Boulder requires an overall IELTS score of 6.5 and at least 5.5 in writing.

Each school will have its own score requirements. For instance, some Ivy League universities require an overall score of at least 7.0, while most other universities require 6.5, says Chris Pell, CEO of IELTS Advantage, a test prep service. Pell has designed IELTS courses for the British Council and trained IELTS teachers.

Pell wrote in an email, “Honestly, if a student does not achieve 6.5, I don’t think they will be able to meet the English language requirements.”

Stacey Reeder, associate director of international and graduate admissions, as well as liaison for international programs, says the Florida Institute of Technology requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 for undergraduate academic English proficiency.

Reeder says, “We feel that an international student who achieves a minimum overall score of 6.0 has the necessary English skills to succeed academically here.”

But students who do not achieve that score still have options. She mentioned that admitted applicants who score 5.5 on the IELTS can enroll in Florida Tech’s ESL Bridge Program for two semesters to strengthen their academic English skills along with some other courses, such as math. Students scoring below 5.5 can enroll in and attend the ELS Melbourne Center, which is designed to provide intensive English instruction for students who want to study in the U.S.

For Graduate Admissions. Experts say U.S. graduate schools often require international students to provide proof of English proficiency, and IELTS score requirements may vary depending on the department.

Ray Marx, director of college counseling at Colegio Americano de Quito in Ecuador and an independent college advisor at CO2 Admissions, says a good IELTS score for undergraduate and graduate admission in the U.S. can depend on what a student considers a good school. Marx states that most top 200 undergraduate and graduate programs have minimum scores ranging from 6.0 to 7.0, with some highly selective universities seeking scores around 7.5.

For example, graduate programs at the University of California — Los Angeles require a minimum overall score of 7.0, with some majors requiring higher scores. The school’s Master of Social Science program requires an overall IELTS score of 7.5, and bioengineering requires a score of 8.0.

At the University of Albany — SUNY, the minimum IELTS score for graduate admission is 6.5. However, not all programs at the university accept the IELTS exam, and some programs may require higher scores for departmental review.

Students should note that some U.S. graduate programs do not accept IELTS. For example, the MBA program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania only accepts TOEFL and the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic).

Friesen-Meyers says that international students planning to apply to U.S. schools should start preparing for the test as early as possible. “Ideally, they should know the specific programs they intend to apply to and understand the specific IELTS requirements of those programs. This helps set a specific target when studying for the exam.”