English Language Proficiency (ELP) test requirement policy
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology requires all international applicants whose primary language is not English to demonstrate a minimum English language proficiency needed to succeed in graduate school. Nearly all international applicants will be required to submit English Proficiency Test scores in order to complete their MIT graduate application(s).
Some international applicants may qualify for an automatic exemption from the ELP test requirement. For more information about test exemptions and eligibility, please visit ELP test exemptions page. If you are eligible for an exemption, you will be automatically notified on the Test Scores Instructions page of your application(s).
If you do not qualify for an automatic exemption and would like to request a waiver for the requirement, please visit our Department ELP test waivers page. Be advised, waivers are granted on the basis of demonstrated English fluency; each department has their own set of criteria for evaluating waiver requests.
General ELP test policies
All reported English Language Proficiency test scores must be true and accurate.
- Scores must be listed from a test you have already taken.
- You may not enter a future date when reporting your test scores.
- You many not enter presumed scores.
- Self-reported scores must match the verified scores sent directly from the testing agency.
- If there is a discrepancy in your scores, this will be visible to your application review committee.
- All score statuses are considered application materials and are taken into account during the review process.
All test scores should be verified prior to the department deadline for test score verification.
- Applications without verified tests scores after the department deadline may not be reviewed.
- Verified test scores are considered application materials. All application materials are due prior to the department application deadline in order to be reviewed.
- Departments reserve the right to implement their test score policy, including non-review of incomplete applications.
- Department deadlines vary. Please visit the Degree Programs page and select your department of interest for more information about their standardized test policies.
MIT Graduate Admissions does not process application fee refunds for incomplete applications due to the absence of verified test scores.
- Once a payment is completed, MIT GradAdmissions will not process fee refunds.
- This policy includes refund requests on the basis of non-review of an incomplete application due to the absence of verified test scores by the department deadline.
Graduate programs reserve the right to request supplemental ELP test scores during the course of application evaluations regardless of English fluency level.
- If you previously received an automatic exemption or a department ELP waiver, and the review committee determines supplemental English Language Proficiency tests scores are necessary in order to evaluate your application, you will be contacted with follow up instructions.
When to take your ELP test
You should plan to take your exam at least 2 months prior to your application deadline as score reporting times vary widely. The earlier you take your exam, the better.
Scores that will be invalid by the application deadline will not be accepted. When the score expires, you will see the status of the score change to “Awaiting” and a red X will appear. This is a system functionality, and it happens automatically.
Minimum ELP score requirements
GradAdmissions recommends the following minimum scores:
- IELTS Academic: 7 overall band score
- TOEFL iBT: 100 minimum score
- DET*: 135 minimum score
- Cambridge English Qualification*: 190 overall score
*The Duolingo English Test and Cambridge English Qualification scores (C1 and C2 only) are accepted by a limited number of departments. Check for the specific requirements of the graduate program that interests you by navigating to their information page from the Degree Programs directory.
Department minimum score requirements supersede GradAdmissions recommended minimum scores.
Reporting your ELP scores
International applicants will “self-report” test scores in their application(s) on the Test Scores page. The scores collected in your application(s) will need to be verified by the test provider (IELTS, ETS, Cambridge English, or Duolingo) prior to the deadline policy of the department to which you are applying. Each department has their own policy regarding test score verification deadlines.
For more information about test score requirements by department, please visit the Degree Programs page, and find the site that corresponds to the program to which you are applying.
For instruction on reporting scores, please visit the information page for your chosen test under the Standardized Tests page on our website.
Viewing your ELP test scores status
Applicants will be able to see the status of their test scores on the status page of their application(s) after completing their application(s).
- Self-reported scores that have not been verified by the test provider will show up as “Awaiting” with a red X.
- Scores that have been verified by the test provider will show up as “Complete” with a green checkmark.
MIT Graduate Admissions understands that score verification processing time can vary widely. If your scores have not been verified 3 weeks prior to your application deadline, you will be able to request your score verification directly on your application status page.
