Washington, D.C., US
George Washington University: English test requirements
Undergraduate applicants have one set of English minimums, with higher scores that waive the first-year English for Academic Purposes course. Graduate schools set their own scores; two schools are covered here, and the College of Professional Studies sets higher scores for online programmes. First-year admission is test-optional with stated exceptions, and the GW School of Business does not require the GMAT or GRE for its MBA programmes.
Checked on 31 Oct 2026 against the university's own pages. Universities change their requirements, and some courses ask for more. Always confirm on the university's page before you book a test or apply.
IELTS
UG 6.5
PG from 6.0
TOEFL iBT
UG 4.5 / 90
PG from 80
PTE Academic
UG 61
PG from 53
Duolingo English Test
UG 120
PG from 110
Undergraduate
Required of applicants whose first language is not English, whatever their citizenship. Students may still be placed in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in their first year; EAP may be waived with TOEFL 100 (old) or 5 (new), IELTS 7.5 or Duolingo 130. The English requirement itself may be waived with SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 650 or higher, ACT English 29 or higher, or the most recent four years of secondary school taught in English (transfer applicants: two college-level English composition courses). TOEFL school code 5246.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 | no band minimum stated | Accepted |
| TOEFL | 4.5 (new TOEFL, taken after 26 January 2026) / 90 (old TOEFL, taken before 26 January 2026) | no section minimum stated | Accepted |
| PTE Academic | 61 | no section minimum stated | Accepted |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | no subscore minimum stated | Accepted |
“Institutional test scores are not accepted for admissions purposes.”
Undergraduate Admissions: international applicants
Graduate (two schools only)
Covers only the Graduate School of Education and Human Development and the College of Professional Studies. Other GW schools set their own scores on pages we could not read. Applicants below the scores that exempt them from English for Academic Purposes may be required to take that course in their first semester.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate School of Education and Human DevelopmentSource for this group | 6.0no individual score stated for admissionFor a graduate assistantship or University fellowship the page asks for 7.0 overall with no individual score below 6.0. | 81 internet-based (550 paper-based)The page gives paper-based and internet-based figures only. For a graduate assistantship or fellowship: 100 internet-based (600 paper-based). | 53 | 110For a graduate assistantship or fellowship: 120. |
| College of Professional Studies: on-campus programmesSource for this group | 6.0no band score below 5.0 | 80 internet-based (550 paper-based)The page gives paper-based and internet-based figures only. | 53 | 110 |
| College of Professional Studies: online programmesSource for this group | 7.0no band score below 6.0 | 100 internet-based (600 paper-based)The page gives paper-based and internet-based figures only. | 68 | 120 |
“Tests must be taken within 2 years from the intended term of entry.”
Graduate School of Education and Human Development: international applicants
Admissions tests
SAT / ACT · First-year applicants
Optional
GW is test-optional for first-year admission and has no minimum SAT/ACT. Scores are required for the B.A./B.S.-M.D. programme (U.S. and Canadian citizens only; ACT Science section required), for homeschooled applicants and for applicants whose schools give only narrative evaluations. SAT code 5246, ACT code 0664.
“GW is test-optional, which means those applying for first-year admission are not required to submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT).”
GMAT / GRE · MBA programmes (GW School of Business)
Optional
GMAT or GRE is not required across the school's MBA programmes, which the page says share the same admissions standards; applicants may send scores if they think the scores strengthen the application.
“While the GRE or GMAT is not required, you are welcome to submit scores if you believe they will strengthen your application.”
“Not on the list” means the test does not appear on the university page we checked. It does not mean the test is refused: the course page or the admissions office may still accept it, so ask them.
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