Required Scores on Proficiency Tests
Prospective students taking an English Proficiency test must meet the minimum required score for the individual subject tests AND the overall composite score for the exam. If English is your second language, you must meet the following English Proficiency Requirements (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE).
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BYU-Idaho English Proficiency Requirements (Pre-2026) These scores are considered valid for Fall 2026 applications. |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Listening | Use of English | Overall | |
| TOEFL iBT | 17 | 17 | 16 | 16 | - | 66 | |
| IELTS | 6.0 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 6.0 | - | 6.0 | |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) | 52 | 52 | 52 | 52 | - | 52 | |
|
Cambridge English C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, or B2 First Exam |
169 | 154 | 162 | 169 | 169 | 169 | |
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BYU-Idaho English Proficiency Requirements (effective starting Winter 2027) Applicants to Winter 2027 and after with TOEFL scores earned before 2026 will need a minimum of 18 in each subscore and 72 overall. |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Listening | Use of English | Overall | |
| TOEFL iBT | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 | - | 4.0 | |
| IELTS | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | - | 6.0 | |
| Pearson Test of English (PTE) | 59 | 59 | 59 | 59 | - | 59 | |
|
Cambridge English C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, or B2 First Exam |
170 | 170 | 170 | 170 | 170 | 170 | |
- ETS (parent company of the TOEFL exam) recently announced that in January 2026 the TOEFL scoring system will be re-designed. As a result, BYU-Idaho is adjusting minimum requirements to meet the new scoring scale.
- All scores must be less than two years old.
- 'MyBest' scores: TOEFL 'MyBest' scores capture the best subscores on any valid test (less than two years old) and combine those best subscores to calculate a new composite score. BYU-Idaho will consider 'MyBest' scores as valid for consideration.
TOEFL
The TOEFL iBT is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-based test (iBT). The TOEFL exam is administered by the Educational Testing Service numerous times each year throughout the world. For more information about testing centers, access the TOEFL Web site. BYU-Idaho only accepts the TOEFL iBT, TOEFL iBT Home Edition, and TOEFL iBT Paper Edition. Scores from the TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL PBT (paper-based test), and other versions will not be considered.
IELTS
The IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. The IELTS is administered numerous times each year throughout the world. For more information about testing times and locations, visit the IELTS page.
PTE
The PTE is the Pearsons Test of English. Applicants who choose to take this exam must take the PTE Academic Exam, not just the Pearsons Test of English. You may obtain more information on the Pearson page.
Cambridge English Qualifications
Cambridge English Test, a product of the IELTS company. Read more information on the C1: Advanced test or the C2: Proficiency exam. Please note that BYU-Idaho will only accept scores from the C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, and B2 First exams.
English Language Help
BYU-Idaho does not have an ESL (English as a Second Language) program. If English proficiency test requirements are not met, students are encouraged to increase their skills and retest. The English Language Center at Brigham Young University may also be able to help you improve your skills so that you may come to BYU-Idaho in the future. Learn more about this program by visiting http://elc.byu.edu.
English Proficiency Waiver Requests
BYU-Idaho is committed to ensuring that students are prepared for the academic rigor they will experience on our campus. English proficiency waivers are rarely granted, and the majority of applicants will need to meet the English proficiency requirements as outlined in the application. Waiver requests will only be reviewed for applicants who meet the following criteria.
1) Successful completion of 24 or more credits in the past two years on campus at an accredited College or University in the U.S. with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. (PathwayConnect credit will not count toward the 24 completed credits)
Or
2) Completion of all years of High School in U.S.
*Waiver requests can be submitted to admprocessing@byui.edu (official transcripts verifying college or high school academics need to be sent to transcriptsubmit@byui.edu and processed prior to a review of the waiver request).
Waiver requests are reviewed by a committee and approval is not guaranteed.
1) Successful completion of 24 or more credits in the past two years on campus at an accredited College or University in the U.S. with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA. (PathwayConnect credit will not count toward the 24 completed credits)
Or
2) Completion of all years of High School in U.S.
*Waiver requests can be submitted to admprocessing@byui.edu (official transcripts verifying college or high school academics need to be sent to transcriptsubmit@byui.edu and processed prior to a review of the waiver request).
Waiver requests are reviewed by a committee and approval is not guaranteed.