English Proficiency Requirement

In order to ensure that our applicants will succeed in BYU’s rigorous academic environment, a test of English proficiency may be required. Meeting minimum requirements will not guarantee admission.

Accepted English Proficiency Tests

BYU accepts English proficiency exams from the following testing services. Many of these services also offer an online or at-home option for their exam.

• TOEFL - BYU currently accepts the TOEFL iBT (testing center, Home Edition, and Paper Edition). BYU only accepts TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date, not MyBest scores. BYU does not accept TOEFL Essentials.
• IELTS - BYU currently accepts IELTS Academic and IELTS Online. BYU does not accept IELTS Indicator.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) - BYU currently accepts PTE Academic and PTE Academic Online.
• Cambridge Assessment English - BYU currently accepts B2 First, C1 Advanced (CAE), and C2 Proficiency (CPE) exams. These results do not expire.

English Proficiency Minimum Score Requirements

BYU requires individual section scores as well as the overall score to meet the following minimums. If English proficiency requirements are not met, you are encouraged to increase your skills and retest.

Submitting Scores

• TOEFL iBT – You can select BYU to receive your results by entering the institutional code 4019 as you register for the test. If you decide to submit the result after taking the test, access your ETS Account and use the "Send Additional Score Reports" option. The name on your exam and the name on your application must match to be updated automatically.
• IELTS – Submit a case to us with the TRF number
• PTE – Select any of the CES institutions and they will be sent automatically
• Cambridge English – Log into the Candidate Results Website and register using your Candidate ID and Secret number, and request that your scores be made available to BYU. The code for BYU is 639. Submit a case to us so that our office can retrieve your score.

English Waivers

For BYU undergraduate applicants only- If you are applying to other CES institutions (BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, Ensign College, BYU Pathway Worldwide) or BYU's Graduate School, contact each institution directly to learn about their English proficiency requirements and policy on waivers.

Who may submit a waiver request?
Applicants who have lived in the United States or another English-speaking country (where English is an official language) for 5+ years or attended an international school with an English-only curriculum (examples: U.S.-accredited international schools, some IB World Schools, etc.) for 4+ years may submit a request for an English proficiency exam waiver. This is the minimum requirement to be considered for a waiver, but decisions will be based on a holistic review of your background information provided in the waiver form and your BYU application. Waivers are not guaranteed.

When should I request a waiver?
If you plan to request a waiver, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible so that you will still have time to take an English proficiency exam before the application deadline if you do not qualify for a waiver.

NOTE: Waiver requests will not be accepted starting 5 business days prior to final application deadlines. No exceptions.

When will I receive a decision about my waiver request?
Once you have submitted the English Proficiency Waiver Form, you will receive an email within 5-7 business days with your waiver decision.

To request a waiver:

• First, complete the following sections of your application:
  
  • High School
  • College
    
    • All transcripts must be received by BYU (if applicable). International college transcripts must be evaluated by IERF or TEC (formerly SpanTran) and received by BYU.
  • Transcript (if applicable) for US-accredited high school work only
  • Secondary Education Evaluation (if applicable). All non-US accredited international work must be evaluated by IERF or TEC (formerly SpanTran) and received by BYU.
  • Essays
  • Activities
• After completing the above application sections, you may submit the English Proficiency Waiver Form.

NOTE: Any waiver requests submitted before the required sections of the application have been completed will not be considered.

English Learning Resources

The English Language Center at Brigham Young University may also be able to help students improve their English language skills. Learn more about this program by visiting elc.byu.edu.

NOTE: BYU will require one of the listed standardized English proficiency exams even if students complete this program.