English Language Proficiency

Documenting English Proficiency for your J-1 Program

Requirements (for J-1 Scholars only, not for prospective F-1 or J-1 Students)

The US Department of State requires scholars to have “sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, successfully to participate in his or her program." [22 CFR 62.11(a)(2)].

If you have not earned a degree from a U.S. institution or if you were educated in a country where English is not the primary language of instruction, you will need to document that you have sufficient English Proficiency to participate in the J-1 exchange Visitor Program.

Standardized English Language Tests

Please see the chart below for acceptable standardized test scores.

Submitting your score:

J-1 Applicant must request that the testing company send an electronic copy of the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Academic score report to Temple University's Graduate School within two years of the applicant's test date. The School Code for Temple University is 2906.
J-1 Applicant should upload a copy of the testing score to their DestinyOne application

Degree Earned in English

Temple University Testing of English Proficiency (TUTEP)

The TUTEP is an alternative to the other test options listed above. The interview is an online, face-to-face interview administered through ZOOM. This interview serves as the assessment for the US Department of State’s requirement to determine whether a prospective visitor’s oral English language skills are sufficient for participation in an exchange visitor program. More precisely, this interview will assess English language functionality “on a day-to-day basis” and “outside of the direct activity of the exchange (e.g., outside the lab)”.

The TUTEP takes approximately 20 minutes and consists of 12 interview style questions ranging from common to professional to societal. The questions are general in nature and are designed to inform the interviewer(s) of the examinee’s communication skills. This interview must be recorded and documented.

More information will be provided on how to register for the TUTEP once the inviting department begins an application for the J-1 applicant. Prospective J-1 exchange visitors should not take the TUTEP until your department has advised you to do so.

Scoring:

4.0 to 6.0 Pass; Scholar has met the language proficiency requirement for J-1 Scholar Program
3.0 to 3.99 Fail; Scholar may retest after 2 months
0.0 to 2.99 Fail; Scholar may retest after 6 months
A scholar may retest no more than two times in an 18-month period.

MINIMAL ACCEPTABLE SCORES


Score Reporting Instructions
Test	TOEFL®
Type	Internet-based (iBT)
Minimum Score	79
Score Reporting Instructions	Electronic report from Educational Testing Service to institution code 2906
Test	TOEFL®
Type	Paper-based (PBT)
Minimum Score	550
Score Reporting Instructions	Electronic report from Educational Testing Service to institution code 2906
Test	IELTS™
Type	Academic
Minimum Score	6.5
Score Reporting Instructions	Official score report sent by the International English Language Testing System to the Graduate School at Temple University, not the department of application
Test	IELTS™
Type	General Training
Minimum Score	Not accepted
Test	PTE Academic™
Minimum Score	53
Score Reporting Instructions	Pearson's score report website accessed by the Graduate School online, provided you identify Temple University as a recipient of your scores
Test	ITEP Academic Plus
Minimum Score	3.9
Test	Cambridge C1 Advanced
Minimum Score	180
Test	Cambridge C2 Proficiency
Minimum Score	180


Test	Type	Minimum Score	Score Reporting Instructions
TOEFL®	Internet-based (iBT)	79	Electronic report from Educational Testing Service to institution code 2906
TOEFL®	Paper-based (PBT)	550	Electronic report from Educational Testing Service to institution code 2906
IELTS™	Academic	6.5	Official score report sent by the International English Language Testing System to the Graduate School at Temple University, not the department of application
IELTS™	General Training	Not accepted
PTE Academic™		53	Pearson's score report website accessed by the Graduate School online, provided you identify Temple University as a recipient of your scores
ITEP Academic Plus		3.9
Cambridge C1 Advanced		180
Cambridge C2 Proficiency		180

International Studentand Scholar Services

Documenting English Proficiency for your J-1 Program

MINIMAL ACCEPTABLE SCORES

International Student
and Scholar Services