Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Puget Sound English scores
From the first-year international students page. It lists an English proficiency score from TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo among the application requirements, required if your primary language of instruction is not English. It gives an overall IELTS score only, with no band minimums.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| First-year undergraduate (recommended) | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 80, Duolingo 105 |
Who is exempt and which tests count
The page names three tests only: TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo. It does not list PTE Academic. If English was the language of instruction at the college or university you previously attended, you are exempt from proof of English proficiency.
All documents must be in English and must reach Puget Sound directly from the issuing institution or an official translating service; transcripts or recommendation letters sent by the applicant are not accepted.
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Applying and how to check
International students apply through the Common Application with a personal essay, the International Verification of Finances form, a school report, an official high school transcript and a counsellor recommendation. The page says international students can also apply with a fee waiver by choosing the University of Puget Sound Application Fee Waiver on the Common Application's Member Questions page.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Puget Sound programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the University of Puget Sound 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 the University of Puget Sound require?+
Puget Sound recommends IELTS 6.5 for first-year international applicants whose primary language of instruction is not English.
Does Puget Sound accept Duolingo?+
Yes. The recommended Duolingo English Test score is 105.
Does Puget Sound accept PTE?+
PTE is not listed. The page names TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo only.
Can I skip the English test at Puget Sound?+
Yes, if English was the language of instruction at the college or university you previously attended.
Keep reading
Related
- University of Portland IELTS requirement
- University of Washington IELTS requirement
- Seattle University 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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