The Department of State (DOS) established regulations effective January 2015 which require sponsors to identify English language proficiency for exchange visitors coming to the U.S. on J-1 visas. Sponsors must review evidence from an objective measure that demonstrates the exchange visitor has “sufficient English proficiency to perform their jobs, navigate daily life in the United States, read and comprehend program materials, understand fully their responsibilities, rights, and protections, and be able to obtain assistance.”  Georgia Tech requires evidence of English language proficiency to determine eligibility to participate in a specific Exchange Visitor program at Georgia Tech. The level of proficiency required aligns with the category and the type of activities the Exchange Visitor will engage in.

The Language Institute no longer offers the GTLI Grad Assessment. 

Per USG policy, international grad applicants can take the TOEFL or IELTS to demonstrate English language proficiency for GA Tech graduate admissions. 

The Institute minimum requirements for TOEFL IBT are as follows: 

• TOEFL IBT: Total score of ≥90 with a minimum of 19 in each subsection. 

The Institute minimum requirements for IELTS Academic Test are as follows: 

• IELTS Academic: Overall score ≥7 (minimum band score for Reading, Listening and Speaking is 6.5; minimum band score for Writing is 5.5) 

Please visit English Proficiency | Graduate Education (gatech.edu) for complete information.