English Proficiency Requirements

International students whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English before taking academic classes full-time. Students who have not met English proficiency begin with Intensive English classes.

English proficiency can be demonstrated by meeting any one of the following:

  • TOEFL iBT 61 or higher on the international TOEFL or Green River institutional TOEFL or the iBT Special Home Edition while TOEFL testing centers are closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. We do not accept MyBest, TOEFL Essentials, or TOEFL ITP.
    Institutional TOEFL scores (500 or higher) from EF, ELS, CJR, Kaplan International, Japan College of Foreign Language (JFL), Osaka college of Foreign Languages (OCFL), IIEF and HIUC are accepted. Institutional TOEFL scores from any other institution or school are not accepted. Send official TOEFL scores using Green River's TOEFL school code 4337.
  • IELTS 5.5 no band lower than 5.0
  • Test scores stay valid for two years from the date of the exam up to the application date. If you defer two times or more, and the test expires in that time then you may be asked to take an English placement exam.
  • Articulations into IEP levels
    • Using TOEFL, IELTS, and DuoLingo
    • Correlation of Placement Tests with IEP Level 1 - Academic (effective summer 2023)

      The following scores can be used for preliminary placement into different IEP levels

      IEP Levels TOEFL iBT IELTS DUOLINGO
      Level 1  0-25  0-3  0-20 
      Level 2  26-44  Overall 3 with no bands lower than 2  25-35 
      Level 3  45-49  Overall 4 with no bands lower than 3  40-50 
      Level 4  50-54  Overall 5 with no bands lower than 3.5  Overall, 55 with no section lower than 50
      Level 5  55-60  Overall 5.5 with no bands lower than 4  Overall, 75 with no section lower than 70
      Academic 61  Overall 5.5 with no bands lower than 5  Overall, 95 with no section lower than 90 

      All IEP students will complete an assessment during New Student In-Person Orientation to determine final placement.

Additional English Proficiency Measures

These additional English Proficiency measures are accepted:

  • Academic placement on the Green River English Proficiency Placement Test. Only a score of 85 or higher on the Multiple Choice section of the test and an academic level proficiency on both the written essay and oral test is considered an indication of academic-level standing.
  • Successful completion of all Green River Intensive English Academic Preparation (Level 5) classes. If a student has completed one or more Academic Preparation classes, the student may begin academic studies*. Students completing the Intensive English program must begin their academic studies within two quarters of completing Intensive English classes. (*Students must consult with an International advisor regarding concurrent Intensive English/Academic classes)
  • IELTS of 5.5 with no band lower than 5.0. 
  • Official ACT score of 14 in ELA (English Language Arts) with completed writing section
  • Official SAT Score of not lower than English Language Arts 410 and Math 430
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) of no lower than 46
  • STEP/EIKEN score of Grade Pre-1 or better
  • Cambridge General Certificates of Secondary Education (IGCSE; GCSE; GCE O or N level): English as First Language minimum score of C or 4; English as Second Language minimum score of B or 5
  • Duolingo score of no lower than 95
  • Oxford ELLT overall score of 5 (B2) with no band lower than 3 (B1+).
  • Academic-level transfer students only: placement in or completion of English 101 or higher, at an accredited English-language college or university. Academic standing at another institution is not recognized without English proficiency. Placement in English 101 does not constitute completion of the English proficiency requirement for GRC Intensive English students.
  • iTEP (International Test of English Proficiency) Academic Score 4.5 or above
  • GTEC (Global Test of English Communication) score of 1095 or higher
  • Completion of the appropriate ESL level at these schools:
    • Converse International Language School - Completion of Level B2
    • EF International Language School - Completion of All B2 levels or Institutional TOEFL or IBT Report
    • Eurocentres Canada (Vancouver, Toronto) and San Diego - Scale of Proficiency Level 6
    • ELS Language Centers - Level 109, Advanced, or Institutional TOEFL Report
    • Embassy CES - Intermediate Level
    • FLS - Level 14
    • IEEA Language Program - Completion of Level 6
    • Kaplan International English Programs - Advanced Level Completion Letter
    • St. Giles International English Language Academy - Level 6
  • Secondary Education:
    • Official high school completion diploma from accredited institutions indicating a passing score in English. Countries include Australia, Canada, Ghana, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, as well as students from the Middle East who attended private schools using the British or American curriculum.
    • Denmark: A minimum grade of 7 in A-level English and 10 in B-level English (new scale); grade of 11 in English in Stream B, Technical Path
    • Finland: High School English grade 8 or higher
    • Germany: Gymnasium/Abitur of 7 or higher in LF classes; without LF, a grade of 10 or higher
    • Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and The Gambia: Completion of West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) with a score in English of C6 or higher
    • Kenya: Completion of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education with English at Grade C+ or above
    • Netherlands: VWO: 6 or higher; HAVO: 7 or higher; MBO: 7 or higher: VMBO: 7 or higher
    • Nigeria: Completion of West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) with a score in English of C6 or higher
    • Norway: High School English grade of 4 or higher
    • Sweden: Upper Secondary School: C (15) or above
    • Singapore: Completion of O level, N level, or higher