Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Drake accepted tests and minimums
From Drake's international students admission page. It lists overall scores only, with no IELTS band minimums.
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.0 overall | TOEFL iBT 4.0 (or 71 old scale); Duolingo 105; PTE 48 |
| School-based routes | Not needed if met | SAT EBRW 500; ACT English 19; IB 5 to 7 or A/B in HL English; CSAT English 2 (first-year only) |
Exemption for English-medium study
Drake exempts applicants who attended high school or higher education for at least two years in an English-speaking country, taught in English, within the two years before classes start. Ask admissions before relying on it if you studied outside a country they treat as English-speaking.
Drake's TOEFL and SAT code is 6168, and its ACT code is 1302.
Free test: are you at Drake University's score yet?
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Graduate study and how to check
The page covers undergraduate programmes only. Graduate applicants should check their programme and Drake's graduate admission pages for the score that applies.
The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the university's admission requirement, which leads to your Form I-20. For the wider picture, see IELTS for the USA.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Drake programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Drake University 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 does Drake University need?+
A minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 for undergraduate applicants.
What PTE score does Drake accept?+
A minimum overall PTE score of 48.
What Duolingo score does Drake need?+
A minimum overall Duolingo score of 105.
Is there an English waiver at Drake?+
Yes, for at least two years of English-taught study in an English-speaking country within the two years before classes start.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- University of Northern Iowa IELTS requirement
- Iowa State University IELTS requirement
- University of Iowa IELTS requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- 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.
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