English Proficiency Requirements

International degree-seeking applicants whose native language is not English are required to provide proof of English proficiency via a Graduate School approved mechanism. Current testing options include Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test for admission to the Purdue University Graduate School.

The minimum Internet-based test scores required for admission to the Purdue University School of Industrial Engineering are the following:

TOEFL
Only official TOEFL scores received directly from Educational Testing Service are acceptable. For further information, visit ETS TOEFL. Due to long delays for score submissions, upload a copy of your PDF score report and attach it as a miscellaneous document to your application.

Purdue University West Lafayette's code for the TOEFL application is 1631.

*Applicants must meet or exceed each of the four sections in TOEFL.

  • Minimum Internet-Based Test (IBT) Overall Score Required: 90
  • With the following minimum section requirements:
    • Reading: 19
    • Listening: 14
    • Speaking: 18
    • Writing: 18

TOEFL: Essentials: Minimum Overall Required Score: 9.5

  • Minimum section requirements:
    • Reading: 8
    • Listening: 8
    • Speaking: 8
    • Writing: 8

IELTS

The Graduate School also accepts valid* International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores (Academic Module). 

IELTS (Academic Module): Minimum Overall Required Score: 6.5

  • Minimum section requirements:
    • Reading: 6.5
    • Listening: 6.0
    • Speaking: 6.0
    • Writing: 5.5

For more information, visit www.ielts.org. The official test score report can be uploaded to the online application under Miscellaneous Supporting Documents, sent electronically to the Office of International Students and Scholars, or the hard copy score report can be mailed directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Duolingo

The Graduate School accepts the Duolingo English test. To learn more about this test option visit https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants. 

Minimum Duolingo English Test Score Required by the Graduate School for Admission is a total score of 115 and 115 on each subscore.

*To be valid for admission, English proficiency test scores must be no more than two years (or 24 months) old at the time the recommendation for admission is received at the Graduate School. 

See FAQ for additional questions.

English Proficiency Test Exemption Policy

The Purdue Graduate School will routinely waive the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo for applicants who have received a Bachelor's degree, a graduate degree, or a professional degree within the last 36 months from a school where English is the primary language of instruction in a country/location where English is the native language. If the test score expires before end of March for fall admission and end of October for spring admission, you are not eligible for test exemption and must retake the test.

Official English-speaking countries/locations, in addition to the U.S., include:

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Australia
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Bermuda
  • Botswana
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Christmas Island
  • Cook Islands
  • Dominica
  • Fiji
  • Ghana
  • Gibraltar
  • Grenada
  • Guyana
  • Isle of Man
  • Jamaica
  • Kenya
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Malawi
  • Micronesia
  • Montserrat
  • New Zealand
  • Nigeria
  • Norfolk Island
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Philippines
  • Pitcairn Islands
  • Republic of Ireland
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • South Sudan
  • St. Helena
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vincent and Grenadines
  • Swaziland
  • South Africa
  • Tanzania
  • The Gambia
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Uganda
  • United Kingdom
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe