English Proficiency Test Type & Minimum Scores

Below are the minimum scores to be eligible for consideration for admission to UB's undergraduate programs. These scores do not guarantee admission. If your scores are lower than those listed in the chart, you may still be considered for admission if you retake the English Language test and submit a passing score.

TEST

MINIMUM SCORES*

TOEFL (IBT) (including MyBest scores)

TOEFL Home Edition

 70
TOEFL Essentials 8.5
TOEFL (PBT) and TOEFL ITP Plus
 523

IELTS and IELTS Indicator

 6.0

PTE Academic

PTE Academic Online

 50

ACT (English AND reading sections)

 18
SAT I ERWS
 500
CAEL 70
CanTEST 4.5
Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)

 

185
Cambridge English Advanced (CAE)
 185
IB Higher Level English A Literature 4
IB Higher Level English A Language and Literature 4
AS Level or A Level English
or English Language Subject
 C
Duolingo English Test (DET) 
 105
  • Scores must be less than two years old at the time of admission.
  • Self-reported scores may be submitted for initial review.
  • Official scores must be sent directly to UB from the testing agency.
  • Use the following to send your scores to UB:
    • TOEFL: 2925
    • IELTS: University at Buffalo – SUNY
    • Duolingo: University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Undergraduate, New York, USA

Undergraduate English Language Proficiency Test Exemption

English proficiency can be demonstrated without a test in one of the following ways:

1. Native Speaker

Applicants who meet all three criteria listed below may be exempted from the requirement of submitting an English proficiency test score. The applicant is:
  • A citizen of Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Guam, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore or the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland); and    
  • A native speaker of English; and
  • Was educated entirely in English.

2. U.S. Post-Secondary Education

Transfer applicants currently enrolled in a U.S. college who have:

  • Completed at least one term (quarter or semester) of a U.S. college English composition class with an earned grade of B or better and an overall college GPA of at least 3.0 (out of 4.0) and strong grades in classes that typically require significant reading and writing. 

OR

  • Completed at least two terms (quarters or semesters) of a U.S. college English composition classes with an earned grade of C or better in each class, and good grades in classes that typically require significant reading and writing. 

ESL classes, remedial English classes, and foundation English classes (for example, non-credit intensive English classes/programs) are not recognized for this waiver.