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Methods of Oral English Proficiency Certification

Students may be eligible for certification of oral English proficiency by one of these means: 

See this flow chart for Certification by Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS & OEPT) and Consequences of OEPT scores.   

Purdue Test Score Cut-Offs for Graduate Admission and for Certification of Oral English Proficiency

The chart below shows the cut-off scores (minimum acceptable scores) for Graduate Admission and the scores accepted for certification of oral English proficiency of TAs who teach undergraduate students, as of September, 2019.

It is important to note that the Graduate Admission TOEFL iBT cut-off score for speaking, 18, is significantly lower than the cut-off score required for certification of oral English proficiency for TAs, currently 27 on the TOEFL iBT.  

Cut-Off Scores for Graduate Admission and for Oral English Proficiency Certification of Prospective TAs

TEST

SCORE RANGE

GRADUATE  ADMISSION CUT-OFF SCORES 

Oral English Certification Cut Score

TOEFL iBT

 

 

 

   Writing

0-30

18

 

   Speaking

0-30

18

27 

   Listening

0-30

14

 

   Reading

0-30

19

 

   TOTAL

0-120

80

 

 

   

 

IELTS

   

 

   Writing

1-9

5.5

 

   Speaking

1-9

6.0

8  

   Listening

1-9

6.0

 

   Reading

1-9

6.5

 

   TOTAL1

1-9

Overall 6.5

 

TOEFL Essentials

1-12

8

All prospective TAs with TOEFL Essentials scores will need to take the OEPT. 

Duolingo (DET)

10-160

115

All prospective TAs with DET scores will need to take the OEPT.

Purdue’s Oral English Proficiency Test

35-55

Not Required

50