Establishing English proficiency for nonnative speakers
Demonstration of English proficiency
91°µÍø Bloomington requires all international undergraduate applicants to demonstrate English proficiency. You need to have met this English proficiency requirement within the last two years.
You can do this by:
- Submitting acceptable results for one of the English proficiency tests or the SAT or ACT exam listed in the English proficiency tests table below
- Submitting acceptable results from certain classes listed in the curricula scores table below
- Holding citizenship from or completing at least three full years of secondary school in a predominantly English-speaking country, defined in the list of English-speaking countries on this page
- Successfully completing Level 7 of the Intensive English Program (IEP) at 91°µÍø Bloomington
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL (internet-based test) | 79 |
| TOEFL (paper-based test) | 550 |
| TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition | 79 |
| TOEFL ITP+ China | 543 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | 6.5 |
| IELTS Indicator | 6.5 |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 115 |
| Cambridge English | 176 |
| Pearson PTE | 53 |
| Michigan Tests MET | 53 |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 560 |
| ACT English section | 21 |
| Curriculum | Score |
|---|---|
| IB HL English A: Language and Literature | 4 or higher |
| IB HL English A: Literature | 4 or higher |
| GCE A-Level: English First-language | A, B, C |
| AP English and Composition | 3 or higher |
| AP Literature and Composition | 3 or higher |
- Anguilla
- Antigua
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bermuda
- British Virgin Islands
- Canada
- Dominica
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grand Cayman Islands
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Hong Kong
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Montserrat
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Philippines
- Republic of Ireland
- Singapore
- St. Kitts & Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent & the Grenadines
- Tanzania
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks & Caicos Islands
- United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales)
- United States
- Zimbabwe
Freshman and transfer students
Freshman and transfer students may demonstrate sufficient proficiency by meeting any one of the four criteria listed below.
1. Credit for English composition and communication. This can be from equivalent transfer course(s) and/or credit from AP, IB, or A-Level.
2. Score high enough on one of these tests:
| Test | Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL (internet-based test) | 100 |
| TOEFL (paper-based test) | 600 |
| TOEFL ITP+ China | 627 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | 7.5 |
| IELTS Indicator | 7.5 |
| Cambridge English | 191 |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | 130 |
| Pearson PTE | 68 |
| Michigan English Tests (MET) | 63 |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 710 |
| ACT English section | 32 |
3. Have 45 credits that are transferable to 91°µÍø.
4. Complete at least three full years of secondary school in one of the English-speaking countries listed above.
Graduate students
If your native language is not English, your department may require you to submit results for the TOEFL exam, regardless of where you were educated.
91°µÍø Bloomington’s TOEFL code is 1324. The testing service should report your TOEFL scores directly to 91°µÍø Bloomington.
Your department may also require you to take the Indiana Academic English Test when you arrive at 91°µÍø to determine if you must take any English courses. You must agree to take any English courses that are recommended based on the results of this examination. Fees for special part-time English courses are the same as for other courses; however, credits earned in these English courses do not meet degree requirements.
If you are eligible for an associate instructorship (AI) position, you must meet additional English language requirements, including passing the .
Why do I have to further establish English proficiency?
91°µÍø is committed to helping all of our students succeed academically. We know that English language proficiency is a critical component of that success. By reviewing your sub-scores or administering this test to incoming students, we can identify specific areas in which you will benefit from additional English language study to best prepare you for academic success.
We take into account the specific coursework demands at 91°µÍø. 91°µÍø instructors familiar with these demands are responsible for assessing the test. Because the test takes place immediately before you begin your studies at 91°µÍø, it assesses your current skills and academic-level English language readiness.
What happens if I do not meet the qualifications?
If you are a freshman or transfer student and you do not meet any one of the above qualifications, 91°µÍø will use your test sub-scores to determine appropriate class placement(s) with the scales below.
- TOEFL iBT Writing: 23 or lower
- IELTS Writing: 6.5 or lower
- Duolingo English Test Literacy: 125 or lower
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Writing: 70 or lower
- TOEFL iBT Listening: 21 or lower
- IELTS Listening: 6.5 or lower
- Duolingo English Test Comprehension: 125 or lower
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Listening: 60 or lower
- TOEFL iBT Speaking: 21 or lower
- IELTS Speaking: 6.5 or lower
- Duolingo English Test Production: 125 or lower
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Speaking: 60 or lower
Another option for demonstrating proficiency
If you are an undergraduate student and are required to enroll in one of the courses above, you will receive more details during your academic advising appointment. If, after discussing your options with your advisor, you would like another opportunity to demonstrate English language proficiency sufficient to exempt yourself from these classes, you may take the Indiana English Assessment Test (IAET) to do so.
The IAET is a remote computerized academic English test composed of three sections: writing, listening, and speaking. The entire test will take about two hours.