General ELP test policy
Applicants whose primary language is not English or who did not receive an undergraduate degree from an English-speaking institution in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or the United States within the last 5 years must submit official test scores from an an accepted English language proficiency (ELP) test provider. If you meet one or both of the criteria above, you can read more about the exemption policy here.
Graduate programs reserve the right to request supplemental ELP test scores during the course of application evaluations regardless of English proficiency level.
Requesting a Department ELP test waiver on the basis of English fluency
Some departments will consider requests for waivers for the English language proficiency test requirement if an applicant can demonstrate fluency in the English language. Each department has their own set of eligibility criteria and required documentation applicants will need to provide to be considered for a waiver. Applicants can only request an English language proficiency test waiver after starting an application.
If a department offers waivers, request forms will be available directly in the application on the Test Scores Instructions page unless otherwise specified. Instructions and eligibility requirements for requesting a department ELP test waiver can be found in your application or on the request form page.
For more information about the requirements for requesting a waiver from your department of interest, please visit the department’s webpage on the Degree Program page and navigate to “Standardized Test Instructions.”
General department ELP test waiver policies
- Department ELP test waivers are not granted via email unless specified.
- Most departments will require you to fill out a request form to receive a department English language proficiency test waiver.
- Departments that use an alternative waiver request process will have instructions available on their Degree Program page, their website, and in their application.
- Department ELP test waivers are non-transferable and will only apply to the application of the department that granted a waiver.
- It is possible for an applicant to receive a waiver for one application and to be denied a waiver for different application.
- Departments reserve the right to deny requests for an ELP test waiver.
- Department decisions are final, and GradAdmissions will not accept requests for appeal to department decisions.
- If your department waiver request is denied, you will be required to submit valid test scores in order to complete your application.
- Failure to submit test scores will result in your application being incomplete and ineligible for review.
- Test score verification is also required, in accordance with department policy and deadlines.
- Visit the test page of your chosen ELP test for more information about sharing verified scores.
- Last minute department waiver requests may not be reviewed.
- Departments set their own deadlines for requesting ELP test waivers.
- If you are not granted a waiver by the application deadline, you will be required to submit English proficiency test scores to complete your application.
- Waivers will not be applied retroactively.
- All test materials will be required in accordance with department policy.
MIT GradAdmissions is a decentralized network of department-led admissions processes and procedures. The Office of Graduate Education reaffirms graduate department requisites and procedures regarding English Language Proficiency test waivers.
