Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
HSU English scores by level
From HSU's international undergraduate admission page and its international graduate students page. Both give one overall IELTS score with no band minimums.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5 | TOEFL 79, Duolingo 100 |
| Graduate | 6.5 | TOEFL 79, Duolingo 95 |
Admission tests and exemptions
International undergraduates also submit an SAT (1030), ACT (20) or CLT (66) score. Transfer students do not need SAT, ACT or CLT, but the page says a language proficiency score is required regardless of where the earlier university was.
At graduate level, HSU does not require TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo from applicants who attended a university inside the US. PTE is not on either list.
Free test: are you at Hardin-Simmons University'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.
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How to check your score
The undergraduate application fee is $75 and the graduate fee is $50. Coursework from outside the US needs an Education Course Report from International Education Evaluations, and some graduate programmes ask for extra documents.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Hardin-Simmons programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Hardin-Simmons 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 score does Hardin-Simmons University require?+
IELTS 6.5 for both undergraduate and graduate international applicants.
Does Hardin-Simmons accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 100 for undergraduates and 95 for graduate applicants.
Do I need the SAT for Hardin-Simmons?+
Undergraduates need SAT 1030, ACT 20 or CLT 66. Transfer students do not, but still need an English score.
Can graduate applicants skip the English test at HSU?+
Yes, if they attended a university inside the US.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Abilene Christian University IELTS requirement
- McMurry University IELTS requirement
- Angelo State University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 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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