Columbus, Ohio, US
Ohio State University: English test requirements
Ohio State publishes one set of English minimums for international first-year applicants and one for graduate applicants; neither level lists PTE. SAT or ACT scores are required for first-year applicants to the Columbus campus.
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 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG 4.0 / 79
PG 4.0 / 79
PTE Academic
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
Duolingo English Test
UG 120
PG 120
Undergraduate
One set of minimums for international first-year applicants. The same table also accepts ACT English and SAT reading and writing scores. Applicants can alternatively show proficiency through three years at a US regionally accredited high school or citizenship or a bachelor's degree from listed countries.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS / IELTS Indicator | 6.5 | Accepted | |
| TOEFL | 4.0 (on or after 21 Jan 2026) / 79 (before 21 Jan 2026) | Accepted | |
| PTE Academic | – | Not on the listNot in the page's score table. | |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | Accepted | |
| ACT English | 21 | Accepted | |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 550 | Accepted |
“You must request that your testing agency send official scores electronically to Ohio State demonstrating the English proficiency level.”
International first-year applicants: apply step by step
Graduate
University minimums are shown, but the page warns that some programmes accept only IELTS and TOEFL. Scores are valid for two years and must come from the testing agency by the application deadline. My Best TOEFL scores and the IELTS One Skill Retake are not accepted.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or IELTS Online | 6.5 | Accepted | |
| TOEFL iBT or iBT Home Edition | 4.0 (updated test launched January 2026) / 79 | Accepted | |
| PTE Academic | – | Not on the listThe page names only TOEFL, Duolingo and IELTS Academic. | |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 | AcceptedThe page says a Duolingo score cannot exempt an admitted student from the English placement exam. |
“Some programs will only accept IELTS and TOEFL.”
Graduate and Professional Admissions: international applicants, additional requirements
Admissions tests
SAT / ACT · First-year applicants, Columbus campus
Required
ACT or SAT scores must be sent by the testing agency; the ACT science section and the essays are not required. The page refers to applying for autumn 2027 and gives test-date cut-offs for early action and spring term. Ohio State superscores.
“standardized test scores from ACT or SAT are required for first-year applicants to the Columbus campus.”
GMAT / GRE · Full-time MBA (Fisher)
Required
A GMAT or GRE score is required unless the Admissions Committee approves a waiver. There is no minimum score. The at-home GRE is not accepted for tests taken after 1 October 2024.
“GMAT and GRE scores are valid for five years from the date you took the test.”
Other tests the university lists
- ACT English
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (undergraduate)
The page says these are not accepted
- TOEFL MyBest scores
- IELTS One Skill Retake
“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 Ohio State University or any test owner. University names are used only to identify them. Test names are trademarks of their owners.