Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
Lehman graduate English requirements
From Lehman's graduate admissions page for international students.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate (college-wide minimum) | 6.0 Academic | Duolingo 85, TOEFL iBT 61 or paper 500 |
Who must test
The test is required if your academic records are from a non-English-speaking country, or if you are an international student as Lehman defines it, studying in the US on a non-immigrant visa.
Applicants educated outside the US also need a transcript evaluation and translation for each post-secondary school, from a service such as WES, ECE, AES, IFCS or The Evaluation Company.
Free test: are you at Lehman College, City University of New York's score yet?
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How to check
Lehman states that the listed scores are the minimums for admission and are higher in most fields, so the figure on your programme page is the one to meet.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Lehman programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Lehman College, City University of New York 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 Lehman College require?+
A minimum IELTS Academic score of 6 for graduate applicants, with higher scores in most fields.
Does Lehman College accept Duolingo?+
Yes. The minimum Duolingo score is 85.
What TOEFL score does Lehman accept?+
TOEFL iBT 61 or 500 on the paper-based test.
How old can my scores be?+
No more than two years old.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.0
- Brooklyn College IELTS requirement
- Hunter College IELTS requirement
- Fordham University IELTS requirement
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 3605 guides
Guide updated on 31 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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