Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
BYU English proficiency minimums
From BYU's international admission guide, which lists section minimums for each accepted test.
| Test | Overall | Section minimums |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Reading 6, Writing 6, Speaking 6.5, Listening 6 |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 | 20 in reading, writing, speaking and listening |
| PTE | 60 | 60 in reading, writing, speaking and listening |
| Cambridge English Advanced or Proficient | 180 | Reading, writing and listening 172; speaking and Use of English 180 |
What else the guide says
BYU accepts English exams from TOEFL, IELTS, PTE and Cambridge English only, so plan on one of these rather than Duolingo. If you miss a minimum, the guide encourages you to build your skills and retest.
BYU is test-optional for the ACT and SAT through the Winter 2026 application. All secondary and college work done outside the US must be evaluated by a credential agency at your expense; BYU accepts evaluations from IERF and SpanTran.
Free test: are you at BYU's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
Graduate applicants and how to check
The admission guide does not give separate graduate scores, so graduate applicants should check their programme page before they book.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your BYU programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Brigham Young University (BYU) publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score does BYU require?+
IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, with 6.5 in speaking and at least 6.0 in reading, writing and listening.
Does BYU accept Duolingo?+
No. BYU lists TOEFL, IELTS, PTE and Cambridge English Advanced and Proficiency as its accepted English exams.
What PTE score does BYU need?+
PTE 60 overall and 60 in each of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
Does BYU need the SAT or ACT?+
BYU is test-optional for the ACT and SAT through the Winter 2026 application.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Utah IELTS requirement
- Utah State University IELTS requirement
- Southern Utah University IELTS requirement
- IELTS band score calculator
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy