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IELTS for the USA: What Score Do You Need?
There is no single US-wide IELTS score. Each American university sets its own English requirement, and many accept IELTS Academic as well as TOEFL iBT, Duolingo English Test or PTE Academic. The score you need is the one on your university’s admissions page for your programme, sometimes with minimums in individual skills.
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- Who sets the score
- Each university, sometimes each programme
- Test version
- IELTS Academic, not General Training
- Also accepted
- Often TOEFL iBT, Duolingo, PTE Academic (check each university)
- Validity
- IELTS results are usually valid for 2 years
- Watch for
- Minimums in individual skills, especially Speaking
Who decides the IELTS score for the USA?
The university. Unlike Canada or Australia, the US has no immigration points test for students. Admission offices decide which English tests they accept and the minimum scores, and a strong score can be the difference between a conditional and an unconditional offer.
Requirements can differ inside the same university. A graduate programme may ask for more than the undergraduate college, and some departments set a separate minimum for Speaking, for example for teaching assistant roles.
How to read a university’s English requirement
- Overall and per-skill. Note both the overall band and any minimum in each skill.
- Academic version. US universities ask for IELTS Academic. IELTS General Training is not used for admission.
- Test date. Check how recent the score must be on your application date.
- Waivers. Some universities waive the test if you studied in English. Check whether yours does before you book.
IELTS or TOEFL for the USA?
Many US universities accept both, so choose the test that suits how you perform:
| IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Face to face with an examiner | Recorded into a microphone |
| Scoring | Bands 0–9 | Score out of 120 |
| Best for | People who speak better to a person | People comfortable with on-screen, timed tasks |
If a university lists only one test, take that one. If it lists several, a practice test in each will show which gives you the higher score.
How to prepare for a US admission score
- Find the highest requirement across your shortlisted universities and aim for that, so one test result covers all of them.
- Give Writing the most time. It is the skill that most often misses a per-skill minimum.
- Book your test early enough to retake once before deadlines if you need to.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score is required for the USA?
Do US universities accept IELTS?
Is IELTS General Training accepted in the USA?
Is IELTS or TOEFL better for the USA?
Do I need IELTS for a US student visa?
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