Test Scores
All international applicants must submit English language proficiency test scores (unless granted a waiver by the program they are applying to). Some TGS programs also accept or require GRE or GMAT test scores. Please read the sections below if you will need to submit test scores to The Graduate School.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Some departments may accept or require the results of the GRE test. Please visit your program’s website to determine their requirements. See the Academic Programs page for a list of all programs and their websites.
- Official scores must be taken no more than five years before the intended quarter of entry and must come directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). For example, to be considered valid for Fall 2024 admission, GRE scores must be no older than September 2019.
- Please request that ETS send your GRE scores to The Graduate School (TGS) using our ETS institution code of 1565. This includes applicants who are applying to doctoral programs in Kellogg. Please do not use the Kellogg code. That code is specific to the MBA.
- You will also be asked to scan and upload a copy of your score report (if you have it available) while submitting your online application. This uploaded version is not considered “official” and will only be used for preliminary review purposes, until your official scores have been received from ETS.
See the GRE website for more information.
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
If you are applying for a doctoral program in the Kellogg School of Management, you may substitute results of the GMAT for the GRE results. The institutional code for this test, which transmits your results directly to Kellogg, is 6WZ-3J-54. Please use this code, and only this code, for the GMAT. If your results are not sent to this code, Kellogg will not receive them.
You will also be asked to scan and upload a copy of your score report (if you have it available) while submitting your online application. This uploaded version is not considered “official” and will only be used for preliminary review purposes, until your official scores have been received from GMAT.
See the GMAT website for more information.
English Language Proficiency Tests
All applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency. There are two ways this may be done:
- Submit Scores – Provide official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT, International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic, or Michigan English Test (MET) test scores.
- Request for a Waiver – Applicants may request a waiver if they earned an undergraduate or graduate degree from an institution that instructs primarily in English. Documentation may be requested, and waiver approval is at the discretion of your program and The Graduate School.
Information for international applicants submitting English language proficiency test scores is provided below. The TGS minimum test score requirements for these tests are listed below. However, your program may have a higher minimum test score requirement. Please visit your program's website to determine their specific requirements. See the Academic Programs page for a list of all programs and their websites. Students admitted to PhD or MFA programs will also be required to fulfill The Graduate School's English proficiency requirement to become eligible for funding as a teaching or graduate assistant. Please see the Graduate and Teaching Assistantships page for details.
TOEFL
- Official scores must be taken no more than two years before the intended quarter of entry and must come directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). For example, to be considered valid for Fall 2024 admission, TOEFL scores must be no older than September 2022.
- The TGS's school code for TOEFL is 1565.
- Test takers may be asked by ETS to choose the "department" to which they want their scores sent. While you should choose the department that most closely aligns to the program to which you are applying, we do not use this information to distribute scores. ALL scores sent to school code 1565 are made available to our programs, regardless of the "departments" selected on the ETS form.
- TGS accepts the submission of TOEFL test scores through their at home testing service to meet this requirement.
- The Graduate School Minimum TOEFL score for PhD applicants = 90
- The Graduate School Minimum TOEFL score for master's applicants= 80
IELTS
- Official scores must be taken no more than two years before the intended quarter. For example, to be considered valid for Fall 2024 admission, IELTS scores must be no older than September 2022.
- You will also be asked to scan and upload a copy of your score report (if you have it available) while submitting your online application. This uploaded version is not considered “official” and will only be used for preliminary review purposes, until your official scores have been received from IELTS.
- TGS will accept the submission of IELTS test scores through their at home testing service (IELTS Indicator) to meet this requirement. Test takers should select our organization (Northwestern University - The Graduate School) when booking the test to ensure we receive the official score results.
- The Graduate School Minimum IELTS score = 7
MET
- Official scores must be taken no more than two years before the intended quarter. For example, to be considered valid for Fall 2024 admission, MET scores must be no older than September 2022.
- You will also be asked to scan and upload a copy of your score report (if you have it available) while submitting your online application. This uploaded version is not considered “official” and will only be used for preliminary review purposes, until your official scores have been received from MET.
- The Graduate School Minimum MET score for PhD applicants = 61
- The Graduate School Minimum MET score for master's applicants = 54
- The Michigan English Test has provided The Graduate School with a discount link . To take the MET Digital at a discounted rate, navigate to the Michigan Language Assessment Customer Portal using this link. Then click the yellow button "Create an Account" and fill out the identifying information. Then you will see your homepage, where you can click "Register for a Test." The fee shown will reflect the discount.
TGS does not accept DuoLingo or TOEFL Essentials to meet this requirement.
See the TOEFL website, the IELTS website, or the MET website for more information.