English Language Requirements

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English Proficiency for Admission

  • No TOEFL/IELTS score is required for admission into LWTech's Intensive English Program.
  • Students will be tested on arrival at orientation just prior to the start of the quarter. Students testing directly into academic programs, will then be issued a new I-20 for their academic program.
  • LWTech offers an Intensive English Program (IEP) and Bridge Program. Students who submit an application without TOEFL/IELTS scores will be issued an I-20 that indicates English Language Training as their intended program. Students will then take a free English Assessment Test at the orientation just prior to the start of the quarter. Those students who test into college level classes will be issued a new I-20 that indicates their intended college program.

Placement Into English 101 (English Composition I)

  • TOEFL*: iBT 72 (Writing 18). LWTech's Institutional Code for sending TOEFL scores is C117 Lake Washington Inst Techlgy-Other
  • IELTS*: 6.0 (5.5 Writing)
  • IB English A Language & Literature Test (SL or HL) score of 4 
  • DuoLingo*: 95 or higher (No section less than 90)
  • ACT*: 19 or better in English
  • SAT*: 500 or better in evidence-based reading and writing
  • ALPS IRW 5 (Intensive Reading & Writing Level 5) completion. 

Placement Into Academic Courses 

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

  • TOEFL*: iBT 61 (Writing 17). LWTech's Institutional Code for sending TOEFL scores is C117 Lake Washington Inst Techlgy-Other.
  • IELTS*: 5.5 (minimum 5.0 in each section)
  • iTEP*: Academic Level 4.5
  • Secondary Education Certificate (as outlined below)
  • ELS Language Centers: Completion of Level 109
  • INTERLINK Language Centers: Completion of highest level with recommendation letter.
  • U.S. High School Diploma
  • Completion of, or placement into, English 101 or higher at an accredited English-language college/university with minimum 2.0 grade.
  • LWTech International Programs Placement Test
  • EIKEN (Step Eiken)*: Pre-1st Level, within past two years
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE)*: 46
  • Kaplan Institutional TOEFL: iBT 61 (Writing 17)
  • Duolingo: 90 or higher (Production 75 or higher)
  • 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

Secondary Education Certificates:

  • Official high school completion from accredited institutions with a passing score in English: Australia, Canada, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Also included are 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
  • 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
  • Netherlands: VWO: 6 or higher; HAVO: 7 or higher; MBO: 7 or higher
  • Norway: High School English grade of 4 or higher
  • Sweden: Upper Secondary School: VG
  • Singapore: Completion of N level or higher

You must provide the names and dates for all the primary and secondary schools attended along with the rest of your application materials.

Placement Into College Bridge (Level 5)

  • TOEFL*: iBT 58 (15 writing). LWTech's Institutional Code for sending TOEFL scores is C117 Lake Washington Inst Techlgy-Other.
  • IELTS*: 5.0 (minimum 5.0 in writing)
  • Duolingo: 85 (Production 70 or higher)
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE)*: 42
  • ALPS- completion of R & W Level 5 with final grade of 75% or higher; and score of 69 or more on ALPS Exit Test.
  • Kaplan completion of Level C1 or Kaplan TOEFL: iBT 58 (15 Writing)

Official documentation must be submitted directly to the International Office with the International Student Application form. Assessment Tests marked with an asterisk (*) are valid for two years from the date the test was taken. Students meeting the English Proficiency Requirement for placement into Academic Courses will take the Self-Guided Placement Assessment for Math and English required of all students.