Establishing English proficiency for nonnative speakers
Demonstration of English proficiency for admission
Undergraduate ÌÇÐÄÔ´´s
IU Bloomington requires all international undergraduate applicants to demonstrate English proficiency. You need to have met this English proficiency requirement within the last two years.
You can do this by:
- Submitting acceptable results for one of the English proficiency tests or the SAT or ACT exam listed in the English proficiency tests table
- Submitting acceptable results from certain classes listed in the curricula scores table
- Holding citizenship from or completing at least three full years of secondary school in a predominantly English-speaking country, defined in the list of English-speaking countries
- Successfully completing Level 7 of the Intensive English Program (IEP) at IU Bloomington
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL (internet-based test) | 79 |
| TOEFL (paper-based test) | 550 |
| TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition | 79 |
| TOEFL ITP+ China | 543 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | 6.5 |
| IELTS Indicator | 6.5 |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 115 |
| Cambridge English | 176 |
| Pearson PTE | 53 |
| Michigan Tests MET | 53 |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 560 |
| ACT English section | 21 |
| Curriculum | Score |
|---|---|
| IB HL English A: Language and Literature | 4 or higher |
| IB HL English A: Literature | 4 or higher |
| GCE A-Level: English First-language | A, B, C |
| AP English and Composition | 3 or higher |
| AP Literature and Composition | 3 or higher |
Graduate ÌÇÐÄÔ´´s
If your native language is not English, your department may require you to submit results for the TOEFL exam, regardless of where you were educated.
IU Bloomington’s TOEFL code is 1324. The testing service should report your TOEFL scores directly to IU Bloomington.
Your department may also require you to take the Indiana Academic English Test when you arrive at IU to determine if you must take any English courses. You must agree to take any English courses that are recommended based on the results of this examination. Fees for special part-time English courses are the same as for other courses; however, credits earned in these English courses do not meet degree requirements.
If you are eligible for an associate instructorship (AI) position, you must meet additional English language requirements, including passing the .
Demonstration of English proficiency for beginning classes
Why do I have to further establish English proficiency?
IU is committed to helping all of our ÌÇÐÄÔ´´s succeed academically. We know that English language proficiency is a critical component of that success. By reviewing your academic record, we can determine whether you will benefit from additional English language study to best prepare you for academic success. When reviewing your record, we take into account the specific coursework demands at IU.Freshman and transfer ÌÇÐÄÔ´´s
Freshman and transfer ÌÇÐÄÔ´´s may demonstrate sufficient proficiency by meeting any one of the four criteria listed below.
1. Credit for English composition and communication. This can be from equivalent transfer course(s) and/or credit from AP, IB, or A-Level.
2. Score high enough on one of these tests:
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL (internet-based test) | 100 |
| TOEFL (paper-based test) | 600 |
| TOEFL ITP+ China | 627 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | 7.5 |
| IELTS Indicator | 7.5 |
| Cambridge English | 191 |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 130 |
| Pearson PTE | 68 |
| Michigan English Tests (MET) | 63 |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 710 |
| ACT English section | 32 |
3. Have 45 credits that are transferable to IU.
4. Complete at least three full years of secondary school in one of the listed English-speaking countries.
- Anguilla
- Antigua
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada
- Dominica
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grand Cayman Islands
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Hong Kong
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Montserrat
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Philippines
- Republic of Ireland
- Singapore
- St. Kitts & Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent & the Grenadines
- Tanzania
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks & Caicos Islands
- United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales)
- United States
- Zimbabwe
What happens if I do not meet the qualifications?
If you are a freshman or transfer ÌÇÐÄÔ´´ and you do not meet any one of the above qualifications, IU will use your test sub-scores to determine appropriate class placement(s) with the scales below.
- TOEFL iBT Writing: 23 or lower
- IELTS Writing: 6.5 or lower
- Duolingo English Test Literacy: 125 or lower
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Writing: 70 or lower
- TOEFL iBT Listening: 21 or lower
- IELTS Listening: 6.5 or lower
- Duolingo English Test Comprehension: 125 or lower
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Listening: 60 or lower
- TOEFL iBT Speaking: 21 or lower
- IELTS Speaking: 6.5 or lower
- Duolingo English Test Production: 125 or lower
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Speaking: 60 or lower
Another option for demonstrating proficiency
If you are an undergraduate ÌÇÐÄÔ´´ and are required to enroll in one of the courses above, you will receive more details during your academic advising appointment. If, after discussing your options with your advisor, you would like another opportunity to demonstrate English language proficiency sufficient to exempt yourself from these classes, you may take the Indiana English Assessment Test (IAET) to do so.
The IAET is a computerized academic English test composed of three sections: writing, listening, and speaking. The entire test will take about two hours.