Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 4 November 2026
John Jay IELTS levels
From John Jay's undergraduate and graduate international pages. Each page lists the accepted English proficiency tests and their minimum scores.
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 61 (paper 500, computer 173); PTE Academic 44; Duolingo 90 |
| Graduate | 7.0 | TOEFL iBT 79 to 80 or 4.0 or higher on the new scale (paper 550, computer 213); PTE Academic 53; Duolingo 105; EIKEN Grade 1 |
Exemptions
For undergraduates, the page says completing an English Composition course with a grade of C or higher at an accredited US institution exempts you from the test, and so does an SAT verbal score of 530 or higher. The SAT or ACT is highly recommended for students from countries where English is not the official language.
For graduate applicants, the page says those who did not complete their undergraduate degree at a US regionally accredited English-speaking institution, or an institution in an English-speaking country, must submit scores. It links a list of exempt countries.
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Deadlines and how to check
The graduate page asks international applicants to apply by April 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission, with late applications reviewed on a rolling basis. It also asks for a NACES course-by-course credential evaluation of your degree.
The 7.0 figure is the one stated on the graduate page. Confirm it with your programme before you book a test.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your John Jay programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY) 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 John Jay College need?+
6.0 for international undergraduates and 7.0 for graduate applicants.
Does John Jay accept PTE Academic?+
Yes. PTE Academic 44 for undergraduates and 53 for graduate applicants.
Can I skip the English test?+
Undergraduates with a C or higher in English Composition at an accredited US institution are exempt, as are those with an SAT verbal score of 530 or higher.
When are international graduate applications due?+
April 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission, according to the graduate page.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- Baruch College IELTS requirement
- City College of New York IELTS requirement
- College of Staten Island IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university and visa
- All 5669 guides
Guide updated on 4 November 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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