Is an English language proficiency test score necessary to apply to Kent State?
All international undergraduate and graduate applicants must submit an English language proficiency test score to be considered for a Kent State program unless they meet specific exceptions, such as:
- Undergraduate students who wish to be considered for conditional admission.
- Your educational background exempts you from taking an English language exam. See our country list and related requirements here.
What English proficiency tests does Kent State accept?
Kent State accepts: IELTS, TOEFL (both internet- and paper-based), PTE, and Duolingo. Some undergraduate applicants may choose to submit an SAT or ACT English score as evidence of English proficiency.
Kent State does not accept medium of instruction letters as evidence of English proficiency.
How do I submit my English proficiency test score?
Kent State accepts scans of score reports from IELTS, TOEFL (iBT and pBT), and PTE. Please note that these must be the official score reports. We cannot accept unofficial score reports.
For students who have taken the Duolingo English Test, score should be reported to Kent State using these instructions. You may also upload a copy of your official score report to your application portal.
All English scores will be verified for authenticity.
Students with fraudulent documents will result in denial of admission or immediate dismissal.
What English score is required to apply as an undergraduate?
All undergraduate applicants must obtain one of the following:
- TOEFL iBT: 71; Home Edition iBT: 71
- Revised PBT: 18 (average score)
- IELTS Academic and IELTS indicator: 6.0
- Duolingo:100
- PTE Academic: 48
- Completion of the Kent State University ESL Center Level 8 Intensive English program with a minimum of 3.75 out of 4.0 GPA
- ELS Level 112 Intensive English Program completion
- SAT: a minimum of 510 evidence-based reading and writing
- ACT: a minimum of 21 in English
Please note, Kent State accepts MyBest™ scores for the TOEFL iBT® test, in addition to TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date.
What English score is required to apply for a graduate program?
Graduate programs set their own English requirements. Please review the Graduate Program English Requirements before submitting your application.
Some graduate programs offer Conditional Admission. Graduate applicants who are interested in Conditional Admission should still provide an English language proficiency test to be considered.
What is Conditional Admission?
Conditional Admission means students will take English language classes at our ESL Center before entering their programs.
If you only want to apply for the ESL program, please submit an ESL application.
How do I qualify for Conditional Admission?
If your fluency in English does not meet our entry requirements, then you may consider enrolling conditionally. Conditional Admission enables you to take English language classes at our ESL Center before entering your program.
- Undergraduate students - If you do not meet the minimum language score for admission but meet academic requirements, you may be admitted conditionally.
- Graduate students - You must submit all required application materials when applying to a graduate program, including proof of English proficiency. Otherwise, you must apply directly to the ESL program. The completion of ESL does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Some programs do not offer conditional admission. Check here for program-specific information about conditional admission or contact the program coordinator listed on the catalog page.
Please check the English Language Proficiency Requirements for more information.