English Proficiency for Undergraduate Applicants

In order to succeed academically at MSU, students must have strong English speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. English proficiency for study at the undergraduate level must be demonstrated by one of the following:

1) Obtaining a minimum required score on an English Proficiency examination:

 ^{*Please click the links listed above for instructions on submitting scores.}

^{** We have revised our Duolingo requirement from 75 to 110 for Duolingo's new scoring of 160 from 100. Starting April 1, 2020, applicants will need to meet the minimum score of 110.} 

MSU International Undergraduate Admissions will be accepting the online options from TOEFL and IELTS while testing centers in a student's country of residence are closed due to COVID-19. Results for these tests will still need to meet the score requirements listed above. If you are registered for the IELTS Indicator and in-person testing resumes, we may request that you take the in-person exam instead. For more information about the TOEFL iBT Special Home Ed, see their website: www.ets.org/toefl/special-home-edition or visit the IELTS Indicator website at https://www.ieltsindicator.com/ to learn more about their test.

OR

2) Successfully completing an intensive English program:

NOTE: The Office of International Programs reserves the right to request students to submit additional proof of English proficiency, even if they meet the above-listed requirements. Sub-scores for different sections within the examination are also considered in determining whether a student has a strong enough command of the English language in order to succeed at Montana State University.

Score Submission

Montana State University will only accept score reports sent directly from the testing service. Please read below to learn more about specific test requirements.

TOEFL

Arrangements to take the TOEFL can be made at this website. There, you can also find out more information about this examination. Allow sufficient time for test registration procedures (about one month) and score results (one additional month). Entering the Montana State University school code (4488) on the test form will ensure that an official score report is sent directly to the Office of Admissions. Scores must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Services (ETS) to the MSU Office of Admissions. Official score reports can be ordered via the TOEFL website.

IELTS

IELTS is a program jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council, and IDP Education Australia (IELTS Australia). Montana State University accepts only the IELTS Academic Test. To register for the exam, please go to: http://www.ielts.org. On the day of the exam, students will need to write down the address for MSU International Admissions in order to have scores sent directly. This typically takes two weeks from the test date. The address is:

PTE Academic

PTE Academic scores must be sent through PTE's secure portal. Please follow the instructions below.

1. Visit www.vue.com/pte and click on 'My Account' to login
2. Click 'Send Scores'
3. Type Montana State University in the field marked 'Institution / Organization / Department / School' and click 'Search'
4. Tick the box next to the MSU's name when it appears in the list
5. Review your details then scroll down the page and click 'Next' and 'Next' again to confirm

iTEP

You can schedule an iTEP exam by contacting your nearest test center. You can learn more about the test center nearest to you by visiting the iTEP Schedule a Test website. During registration, you can select Montana State University from the drop-down list. This will cause your scores to be sent automatically to MSU as soon as the grading is complete.

Duolingo English Test

The Duolingo English Test can be taken online at any time. It is a fast and inexpensive alternative to other options—it takes approximately 30 minutes and costs $49. The exam uses computer-adaptive testing, meaning the questions will automatically adapt to each test-takers’ ability, generating a different set of questions for every session.

The exam requires you to use an Opera or Google Chrome browser and your computer's self-facing camera and microphone. The testing session is recorded and verified by a Duolingo proctor, and the results are available within 48 hours. Please make sure you indicate on your test that you want your results sent to Montana State University.

To take your test today, please visit their website: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/applicants

EIKEN Test

The EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency is taken by a large number of students in Japan, making it the most administered English language proficiency test in the country.  There are 7 Grades, and the test assesses your reading, listening, writing and speaking abilities.

Eiken Score report is sent directly from the Eiken Study Abroad Center to the MSU Office of International Programs. Please order your report from the Eiken Study Abroad Website: https://www.eiken.or.jp/eiken/abroad/score_report/

Please visit the EIKEN website to learn more about the test: http://www.eiken.or.jp/eiken/en/

ACT 

If you would like to send ACT results to MSU to fulfill our Proof of English Proficiency requirement, please be sure results are within two years old and request official results through their website at http://www.actstudent.org/scores/send/index.html using the MSU ACT school code 2420.

SAT

If you would like to send ACT results to MSU to fulfill our Proof of English Proficiency requirement, please be sure results are within two years old and request official results through their website at http://www.sat.collegeboard.org/home using the MSU SAT school code 4488.

Conditional Admission for Undergraduate Applicants

Students who do not have the required English proficiency scores for full admission to MSU, but are academically qualified, may be awarded "admission with conditions." Successful completion of an intensive English program will satisfy the English proficiency requirement. Once the necessary level of proficiency is achieved, students must submit their certificates of completion to the International Admissions team in the Office of International Programs for evaluation.

Exemptions from Providing Proof of English Proficiency

Applicants that have completed one of the following will be exempt from providing additional Proof of English Proficiency:

1. Students that graduate with an IB diploma.

2. Students that received a result of C or above on the IGCSE O-Level English examination or a score no lower than 4 on the GCSE English examination.

3. Students that complete at least 2 full semesters or 24+ semester credits at a U.S. Regionally Accredited Institution that includes two college-level English courses with a grade of C or better and are in good standing.

4. Students that complete at least the past 2 years at a U.S. high school with good academic standing and that have received a grade of B or better in English coursework completed in the US high school.

5. If you have received a bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degree from an institution in the United States or a country listed below, an English proficiency examination is not required.

6. If you have completed secondary school in one of the countries listed below with the medium of instruction being English for the curriculum and satisfactory completion of English courses.

NOTE: Students requesting one of the above exemptions must provide official transcripts for admission. The Office of International Programs reserves the right to request students to submit additional proof of English proficiency, even if they are eligible for an exemption.

Countries