St. Louis, Missouri, US
Washington University in St. Louis: English test requirements
WashU publishes one university-wide English minimum (from its international office) for applicants who need an I-20, and the undergraduate admissions page separately gives higher scores shared by its most competitive applicants. Schools and programmes may set higher scores than the university minimum.
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 from 6.5
PG 6.5
TOEFL iBT
UG from 90
PG 90
PTE Academic
UG Not on the list
PG Not on the list
Duolingo English Test
UG from 125
PG 125
Undergraduate
Two sets of figures are printed. The admissions page gives scores that its most competitive applicants share or exceed (recommended). The second set, headed 'WashU accepted tests and minimum score requirements' and marked effective 1 September 2026, comes from the international office page, which says it applies to all non-immigrants who study, work or research at WashU. Official scores must be under two years old and TOEFL MyBest superscores are not accepted. The admissions page says tests taken up to December 2026 are the last ones accepted for fall 2027 entry.
| Course group | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Most competitive applicants (admissions page)Source for this group | 7.0 | 5.0 (exams taken on or after 21 January 2026) / 100 (exams taken before 21 January 2026) | Not on the listNot named on the admissions page. | 130 |
| WashU accepted tests and minimum score requirementsSource for this group | 6.5 minimum composite score | 5.0 overall (new scale) OR 4.5 >= 90 overall (old scale), as the page prints it | Not on the listNot named on the international office page. | 125 minimum overall score |
WashU accepted tests and minimum score requirements, other tests: GATEWAY English Test 495 minimum overall score
“WashU has University-wide policies on minimum English language proficiency”
Undergraduate admissions: English testing requirements
Graduate
The page gives the university-wide minimums for graduate applicants as well as undergraduates. Some schools and programmes require higher scores, so applicants must check with their school. Scores must be under two years old at the application deadline. I could not read a separate graduate school page, so school-level scores are not recorded.
| Test | Overall | Each part | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 minimum composite score | Accepted | |
| TOEFL iBT | 5.0 overall (new scale) OR 4.5 >= 90 overall (old scale), as the page prints it | Accepted | |
| PTE Academic | – | Not on the listNot named on the international office page. | |
| Duolingo English Test | 125 minimum overall score | Accepted | |
| GATEWAY English Test | 495 minimum overall score | Accepted |
“Some schools and programs may have higher test score requirements than the university minimum requirements”
International office: English language proficiency (university-wide minimums)
Admissions tests
SAT / ACT · First-year international applicants
Optional
The application checklist lists SAT or ACT scores as optional. International applicants may instead offer national exam results, IB, A-levels or AP scores. SAT and ACT will no longer be accepted in place of an English test from fall 2027 applicants.
“Optional – Self-reported or official SAT or ACT scores.”
GMAT / GRE · Full-time MBA (Olin)
Optional
GMAT or GRE scores are recommended for most candidates but not required.
“Standardized tests are recommended but not required.”
Other tests the university lists
- GATEWAY English Test
- InitialView interview supplement (encouraged, does not replace a test)
The page says these are not accepted
- TOEFL MyBest superscores
- SAT or ACT in place of an English test (from fall 2027 applicants)
“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 Washington University in St. Louis or any test owner. University names are used only to identify them. Test names are trademarks of their owners.