Program-level details
Carnegie Mellon undergraduate admission requires a minimum TOEFL iBT of 102 with sub-section minimums of 25 in each of Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The School of Computer Science MS programs (MSCS, MCDS, MSAII, MSIT) set the same 102 minimum with section minimums of 25 each. The Tepper School of Business MBA requires a minimum of 100, the Heinz College MS programs in Public Policy and Information Systems Management require a minimum of 100, and the College of Engineering MS and PhD programs require 84 minimum but admit competitively at 100 or higher.
Translating this score 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. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)'s undergraduate minimum of 102 corresponds to roughly band 5.0, which aligns with CEFR C1. The graduate minimum of 100 corresponds to band 5.0 (C1). For a more 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
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) typically accepts: IELTS 7.5 (undergraduate, no band below 7.0); IELTS 7.0 (graduate, requirements vary by college); Duolingo English Test 130 (undergraduate). Many universities accept the Duolingo English Test, and some accept Cambridge English Advanced (C1) or Proficiency (C2). Acceptance and minimum thresholds for alternative tests change frequently — verify against the current admissions page before relying on a specific alternative.
How to prepare for the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) TOEFL minimum
A target of 102 on the TOEFL iBT is a band 5.0 performance. Realistically, this means consistently scoring well across all four sections, since universities almost always set sub-section minimums (typically 22 in each of Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing for top-tier programs). 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
- Speaking practice — 16 free Listen-and-Repeat + video Interview tests
Common questions
What is the minimum TOEFL score for Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)? ▾
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 102 for undergraduate admission and 100 for most graduate programs. Carnegie Mellon undergraduate admission requires a minimum TOEFL iBT of 102 with sub-section minimums of 25 in each of Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The School of Computer Science MS programs (MSCS, MCDS, MSAII, MSIT) set the same 102 minimum with section minimums of 25 each. The Tepper School of Business MBA requires a minimum of 100, the Heinz College MS programs in Public Policy and Information Systems Management require a minimum of 100, and the College of Engineering MS and PhD programs require 84 minimum but admit competitively at 100 or higher.
What if my TOEFL score is below the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) minimum? ▾
If you score below the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) minimum, options include retaking the TOEFL after focused practice, taking an alternative accepted test (IELTS 7.5 (undergraduate, no band below 7.0); IELTS 7.0 (graduate, requirements vary by college); Duolingo English Test 130 (undergraduate)), or applying to a pre-sessional English program offered by the university.
Does Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) accept the Duolingo English Test? ▾
Many universities now accept the Duolingo English Test as an alternative to TOEFL. Whether Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) accepts it depends on the program and the year — verify against the official admissions page linked above.
How do I send my TOEFL scores to Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)? ▾
Official TOEFL scores are sent directly from ETS to the university you specify. You can list up to four institutions to receive your scores at no extra cost when you register for the test. Additional score reports cost a fee per institution.
Verify before applying
University admission requirements change. Always confirm the current TOEFL minimum on the official Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) admissions page before applying. The figures on this page were last verified 2026-05-19 and reflect publicly stated institutional minimums; specific programs may set higher thresholds, and some courses (medicine, law, education) frequently do.