Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Tacoma CC scores for ENG 101
From TCC's international admission process page. Students who have taken a test within the last two years are encouraged to send the score with the online application.
| Programme or placement | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Direct placement into ENG 101 | 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 65 (until January 2028) or 3.5 (new band scale), Duolingo 90, Pearson 46 |
| Other accepted results | Eiken Pre-1, Oxford ELLT Level 5, LanguageCert Academic 60, SAT Reading 470, ACT 19, CEFR B2 | |
| Admission without a score | Not needed | English proficiency is not required for admission |
School and college routes
Cambridge A or O Level English at C, the full IB Diploma or a 3 in IB English, two years at a US high school with a 2.5 GPA in English, or one year at a US college with an overall 2.0 college-level GPA also place you into ENG 101. The page asks native English speakers to check with the team.
TCC also runs English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programmes, listed on its international admission pages.
Free test: are you at Tacoma Community College's score yet?
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Fees and the admissions package
The application fee is $50, and your bank statement must show an extra $5,000 for each dependent. The admissions package, typically ready within three weeks, includes the admission letter, a consulate letter, your I-20 and a university conditional admission letter from a transfer partner you choose. Some programmes, such as Nursing and Emergency Medical Services, need extra application steps after admission.
Requirements and placement levels change between terms. The score that binds you is the one on Tacoma Community College's international admissions page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Tacoma Community College 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
Does Tacoma Community College require IELTS?+
No. English proficiency is not required for admission. A score places you in English classes.
What IELTS score places me in ENG 101 at TCC?+
IELTS 5.5.
Does Tacoma Community College accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 90 places you directly into ENG 101.
How old can my IELTS be for TCC?+
The page encourages scores from tests taken within the last two years.
Keep reading
Related
- Pierce College Washington IELTS requirement
- Green River College IELTS requirement
- University of Washington IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- 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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