Boston, US
Northeastern University: English test requirements
Northeastern publishes no undergraduate minimum scores; it gives the middle 50 per cent range of admitted students instead. Graduate minimums depend on the college and are not on the central graduate page.
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 7.5 to 8.0
PG Set by course
TOEFL iBT
UG 102
PG Set by course
PTE Academic
UG 79 to 86
PG Set by course
Duolingo English Test
UG 130 to 140
PG Set by course
Undergraduate
The ranges describe admitted students and are not cut-off scores. Results must be no more than two years old at the test date. A waiver can be requested by applicants who studied four consecutive full-time years in English immediately before enrolling.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 7.5 to 8.0middle 50% of admitted students | Accepted | |
| TOEFL iBT (centre or Home Edition) | 5.0 to 5.5 (new 1-6 scale, tests on or after 21 Jan 2026, overall and subscores) / 102 to 110 (0-120, tests on or before 20 Jan 2026)middle 50% of admitted students | Accepted | |
| PTE Academic | 79 to 86middle 50% of admitted students | Accepted | |
| Duolingo English Test | 130 to 140middle 50% of admitted students | Accepted | |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency | 195 to 202middle 50% of admitted students | Accepted |
“Northeastern does not have minimum score requirements.”
Northeastern Undergraduate Admissions: international applicants
Graduate
The graduate page names the four tests but gives no scores, saying preferred minimums and accepted exams vary by college. Check the programme's own page. Applicants with a bachelor's or master's degree taught only in English may be exempt.
The scores for this level are set course by course. The tests below are the ones the university lists; check the exact scores on your course page.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Not published by the university | AcceptedScore set by college or programme. | |
| TOEFL | Not published by the university | AcceptedScore set by college or programme. | |
| PTE | Not published by the university | AcceptedScore set by college or programme. | |
| Duolingo English Test | Not published by the university | AcceptedScore set by college or programme. |
Admissions tests
SAT / ACT · First-year applicants
Optional
SAT or ACT is optional and applicants who skip it are not penalised. Northeastern superscores and uses the best score if both are sent. The page names no specific admission cycle.
“Northeastern University is test-optional and does not require applicants to submit standardized testing (SAT or ACT).”
GMAT / GRE · Full-time MBA (D'Amore-McKim)
Optional
The page lists the full-time, part-time and online MBA as having optional GMAT or GRE scores. The MBA English tests accepted are TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Duolingo and PTE Academic, valid for two years.
“Optional GMAT/GRE test scores”
The page says these are not accepted
- IELTS Indicator
- PTE Academic Online
- TOEFL Essentials
- TOEFL iBT Paper Test
- TOEFL ITP
“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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Fable Tests is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Northeastern University or any test owner. University names are used only to identify them. Test names are trademarks of their owners.