Program-level details
AUC sets a TOEFL iBT minimum of 76 for undergraduate admission and 79 (with at least 21 in Writing) for graduate admission. Applicants who fall short of these minimums are not automatically rejected: degree-seeking undergraduates below 76 are placed in the English Language Institute (ELI) before progressing to credit-bearing coursework, and graduate applicants who otherwise qualify can be admitted conditionally and placed in an English language course as part of their first term.
Translating these scores to the 2026 1-6 band scale
From January 2026, ETS reports the TOEFL iBT on a 1.0-6.0 band scale (in 0.5 increments) rather than the legacy 0-120 scale. AUC's undergraduate minimum of 76 corresponds to roughly band 4.0, which aligns with CEFR B2. The graduate minimum of 79 also corresponds to band 4.0 (B2), though the 21-in-Writing sub-section requirement is the practical bottleneck for most international applicants. For a precise read on what these bands mean for your speaking, writing, listening, and reading, take a free TOEFLMock practice test — you'll see your score reported on both scales side-by-side.
Other accepted English tests
AUC accepts International TOEFL, Academic IELTS, and the Duolingo English Test. The university also accepts TOEFL MyBest Scores (best section scores across multiple test dates) and IELTS One Skill Retake. All test scores must be from a sitting no more than two years before the first day of the semester applied for. Applicants from secondary schools where English is the primary language of instruction may be exempt from the test requirement — check the language requirements page for the exemption list.
How to prepare for the AUC TOEFL minimum
A target of 76 (undergrad) or 79 with 21-in-Writing (graduate) is a band 4.0 performance. Realistically, this means consistently producing band 4+ output across all four sections. The fastest way to spot which section is holding you back is to take a full-length practice test under timed conditions and compare your section bands. From there, focused section practice is more productive than another full-length attempt.
- Take a free full-length TOEFL practice test to see your starting band
- Reading practice — 16 free 2026-format reading tests
- Listening practice — 16 free 2026-format listening tests with the new task types
- Writing practice — 16 free Build-a-Sentence + Email + Academic Discussion tests (key for the graduate 21-Writing minimum)
- Speaking practice — 16 free Listen-and-Repeat + video Interview tests
Common questions
What TOEFL score is required for AUC? ▾
The American University in Cairo (AUC) requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 76 for undergraduate admission and 79 for graduate admission (with at least 21 in Writing). On the new 2026 1-6 band scale, both minimums map to band 4.0 (CEFR B2).
Is the AUC undergraduate TOEFL minimum 76? ▾
Yes. AUC's published TOEFL iBT minimum for undergraduate admission is 76. Applicants with scores below 76 are typically placed into the English Language Institute (ELI) for further English study before being moved to degree-credit coursework.
What is the AUC graduate TOEFL minimum? ▾
AUC's published TOEFL iBT minimum for graduate admission is 79 overall, with at least 21 in Writing. Degree-seeking graduate applicants who do not meet the minimum may still be considered and placed into an English language course as a condition of admission.
What if my TOEFL score is below the AUC minimum? ▾
Undergraduate applicants below 76 are typically placed in the English Language Institute (ELI) for one or more semesters before progressing to credit-bearing coursework. Graduate applicants below 79 can be admitted conditionally with placement into an English language course in their first term.
Does AUC accept the Duolingo English Test? ▾
Yes. AUC accepts International TOEFL, Academic IELTS, and Duolingo, plus TOEFL MyBest Scores and IELTS One Skill Retake. Cut-off scores for each test are published on AUC's language requirements page — verify before relying on Duolingo specifically.
Verify before applying
University admission requirements change. Always confirm the current TOEFL minimum on the official AUC language requirements page and the AUC graduate admissions page before applying. The figures on this page were last verified 2026-05-11 and reflect publicly stated institutional minimums; specific programs may set higher thresholds.