Guide1 min read
English test scores: what admissions teams look for
Overall scores, section minimums and validity: three things to check before a file is submitted.
English language requirements are one of the most common reasons an application is delayed or made conditional. Three checks catch most problems.
Overall and section scores
Most programmes set an overall minimum and a minimum for each section: reading, writing, listening and speaking. A student can meet the overall score and still fall short in one section.
Accepted tests
Commonly accepted tests include IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic. Each university decides which tests it accepts, so check before the student books one.
Validity
Results from these tests are usually valid for two years. A result that expires before the application is assessed may not be accepted.
Exemptions
Some universities waive the test for students who completed previous study in English. Exemption rules vary by university, so they need to be confirmed for each programme.
StudyInfo’s recommendations compare a student’s overall and section scores with each programme’s minimums, and our team checks the test result in every file before it is forwarded.