If you are an international student, you may not be familiar with the application process for American colleges, including MIT. This is a quick overview to help you understand how applying to an American school like MIT works.
1. All students need to demonstrate minimum competence in fields they will continue to study at MIT. We recommend that all international students study:
- Four years of English
- Mathematics, at least to the level of calculus
- Two or more years of history/social studies
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
2. Standardized tests
International students—or domestic students who do not speak English natively—have two options for testing.
- Option 1: The SAT or the ACT, as well as two SAT Subject Tests: one in math (level 1 or 2), and one in science (physics, chemistry, or biology e/m).
- Option 2: The TOEFL (we do not accept IELTS) as well as two SAT Subject Tests: one in math (level 1 or 2) and one in science (physics, chemistry, or biology e/m). This option is especially recommended for students who do not speak English at home or in school, or who have been speaking English for fewer than five years.
Testing requirements
- All students must meet the testing requirements. You may not substitute other exams (such as IB, A Levels, etc.) for the above testing requirements.
TOEFL
For the TOEFL Internet Based Test (iBT), the minimum composite score is a 90. We recommend scores of at least 23 for each section, and a composite score of at least 100. Similarly, for the TOEFL revised Paper-Delivered Test (rPDT), we recommend scores of at least 23 for each section. If you have taken the TOEFL Paper Based Test (PBT) prior to June 2017, the minimum composite score is a 577, with a recommended composite score of at least 600.
Reporting scores
Your scores must be reported to us officially from the testing agency; scores you list on your application and scores appearing on your school transcript will not be considered official. We recommend you list MIT as a school to receive your scores when you take the test. If you take the November/December test, you must list MIT as a school to receive your scores or we will not receive your scores in time for our review.