Standardized Test FAQs

Q: Do I have to take the GRE or can the GREs be waived?

Some PhD and Master’s applicants are required to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. GRE exceptions or substitutions are only allowed for the programs as listed on our Standardized Testing Requirements page. No other exceptions or substitutions are permitted.

Q: Can I substitute GMAT/MCAT/LSAT scores for the GRE?

GRE exceptions or substitutions are only allowed for the programs as listed on our Standardized Testing Requirements page. No other exceptions or substitutions are permitted.

Q: Do I have to take the TOEFL or IELTS?

The TOEFL or IELTS is required of almost all applicants whose native language is not English. There is one exception: 

• Applicants who have received or will receive an undergraduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction are exempt from the English Language Test requirement and are not required to submit the TOEFL or IELTS. Applicants must have studied in residence at the undergraduate institution for at least three years to qualify.
• No exemptions are made on the basis of an advanced degree (e.g. MA/MS or PhD) from any institution.

Q: Is IELTS an acceptable substitution for the TOEFL?

Yes. The IELTS Academic test may be substituted for the TOEFL for an applicant required to submit English language testing.

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences only accepts scores submitted electronically by the IELTS test center via the IELTS E-Delivery service.

• We do not accept paper Test Report Forms, nor do we verify Test Report Forms (TRFs). 
• You must contact your IELTS test center to have your official scores sent electronically to:
  • Yale University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (also known as the Office of Graduate Admissions). 
  • Our address, for the record only, to identify us in the IELTS system is Warner House, 1 Hillhouse Avenue, room 302, New Haven, CT 06511. Paper score reports are not to be sent to this address, however.

Q: I will receive my master’s degree from a school where the language of instruction is English. Am I exempt from submitting TOEFL/IELTS scores?

No. Applicants whose native language is not English must take either the TOEFL or IELTS. Applicants who have or will receive an undergraduate degree prior to matriculation at Yale from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction are exempt. Applicants must have studied in residence at the baccalaureate institution for at least three (3) years to qualify.

No exemptions are made on the basis of an advanced degree (e.g. MA/MS or PhD) from any institution.

Q: My scores will expire before I am ready to submit my application. What should I do?

Please submit your official scores to us as soon as possible, perhaps even before starting or submitting your application. When we receive your scores, we will store them in our database and they will match with your application when you apply.

Once your scores expire you will not be able submit official scores and you may have to re-take the examination.

If, at the time of application, your GRE scores will be more than 5 years old, you will need to retake the GRE. Although GMAT scores are available for reporting for up to 10 years, they remain valid for only 5 years. Submitting invalid scores may reduce your chances of admissions.

Q: Is there a minimum GRE score required for admission?

Although the Graduate School does not have set test minimums for admission, individual departments and programs use test scores as a part of their holistic review of your application. Some departments or programs may have minimum score levels. If minimum score levels exist for your program, it will be reflected on the program’s website. See Programs of Study for a website link to your program of interest. 

Q: What is the minimum required TOEFL or IELTS score?

Although the Graduate School does not have set test minimums for admission, individual departments use these test scores as part of their holistic review of your application. Please check with the department to which you are applying to see if they have a minimum requirement. The Graduate School does require incoming doctoral students who received a score of 25 or below on the TOEFL Speaking section or a 7.5 or below on IELTS Speaking section to participate in a Summer English Language program at Yale in August prior to matriculation. These students are required to demonstrate English proficiency before they are permitted to teach.

Q: Should I select a department or program code when sending my test scores?

No, it is not necessary to select a department or program code when sending your scores. It is sufficient to select institution code 3987 for the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Science when sending GRE/TOEFL scores. If you have already selected a department or program code by mistake, don’t worry. We will still receive your scores, typically within 7-10 business days. 

Q: My official tests scores are missing. What is wrong?

First, confirm that you have asked the test agency to send your official scores to the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, as follows: 
 

• GRE/TOEFL: Institution Code 3987
• GMAT: Code 3TJ-30-78
• IELTS: Submitted electronically to Yale University - Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (also known as the Office of Graduate Admissions)

If you sent your scores more than 7-10 business days prior, please double check that your scores were not sent to a different code or a different professional school at Yale. We are unable to transfer scores across schools at Yale, so you must use the correct code. 

If you have confirmed that your scores were sent to the correct code at least 7-10 days business days prior, but your scores still have not been marked as “received” in your application status portal, please email us with the following information:

• The name and email address you used to register for the test
• The name and email address used on your application
• A screenshot or other documentation from the test score service that your scores were sent to Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 

Q: May I submit my application before I have taken the required tests?

Yes. When you fill out an application for admission, you must self-report your required test results in the Test Scores section of the application. However, you may also input any future test dates as well. If you have not taken a required test yet, inputting a future test date will allow you to submit the application.

If you have not yet taken a test that is required, you should register for the test as soon as possible and enter your future test date on the application. Be sure that your official scores are sent to Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and that your scores will match with your application when they arrive. You should take any required testing as soon as possible to ensure ample time for your official scores to arrive, but you do not need to have test results in hand in order to submit your application.

Q: How are multiple GRE scores considered?

Programs will be able to see all scores that you have self-reported in your application or sent officially.

Individual departments or program practices may differ in how GRE scores are evaluated, so it will be best to check with your program of interest about how scores are used in the evaluation process.

When self-reporting (unofficial) scores within the online application, you should not mix scores from different test dates.

Q: I am applying to a program that is GRE optional. I have decided to submit my GRE scores. Will I be asked to submit official test results?

Yes. If you are applying to a program where GRE scores are optional, and you choose to self-report your GRE scores in the application, you will be required to also submit official test results for verification purposes. Please be sure to submit your official scores before they expire, since you will not be able to submit them upon expiration and you may be required to re-test. If you chose not to submit GRE scores for a program where GRE scores are optional, official scores will not be required.

Q: If I took a required examination, but my test score has expired, what should I do?

If your scores can no longer be released to us by the test score service, you may still self-report your old scores in your application. A department or program may review an application with self-reported scores if they wish.

However, an offer of admission from the Graduate School will be contingent upon receipt of official scores for any required examinations. As a result, if you self-report expired scores for which you will not be able to send official score reports, you may need to take those tests again before you will be allowed to matriculate. 

Q: What Institution code do I use to report my standardized test score results?

Yale has several graduate and professional schools, each with different institution codes, so it is important that you use the correct code when sending your official scores to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Official scores cannot be transferred between different schools at Yale.

• GRE: Institution Code 3987
• TOEFL: Institution Code 3987
• IELTS: Yale University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (scores are only accepted through Electronic Score Download Service)
• GMAT: 3TJ-30-78

It is sufficient to select an institution code when sending your official scores. You do not need to designate department or program codes and you may leave them blank. If you are required to enter a department or program code you may use the following codes:

• GRE: “0000” (Undecided)
• TOEFL: “99” (Undecided)

Q: Will you accept the “MyBest Scores” TOEFL exam results?

Yes. If you wish to send us “MyBest Scores”, we will accept them. All TOEFL scores we receive will be made available to the program reviewing your application. The program may decide how they wish to evaluate the scores provided.

Q: Will you accept remote- or home-based versions of the GRE or TOEFL?

If no other option is available, you may send official scores from the GRE® General Test at Home and TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition. Please follow the instructions on our Standardized Testing Requirements page when sending your scores.

Q: Will you accept the TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL ITP Plus for China, or the IELTS Indicator?

No. If you are required to take English language test, please take either the TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic.