English language test

As a prospective international student from a non-native English background, you are required to prove that your English proficiency is sufficient for an academic environment. Most American universities assess your proficiency through an exam, mainly the TOEFL. A growing number of universities also accept IELTS results.

Tip:
  • Were you enrolled in an educational program taught entirely in English, such as an international school, for at least two years? You may qualify for a waiver. English courses within the regular school system, such as IB English or a Cambridge certificate, usually don’t count towards a waiver. Ask your university for more information if you have reason to believe that you may qualify for a waiver.

The American Book Center in Amsterdam and The Hague offers practice books for all language tests. You can find links to online practice material in each text section below.

TOEFL iBT

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures your communicative English proficiency in an academic setting. Your final score will be calculated on a scale from 0-120. You can find more information about the required and preferred TOEFL scores on your university’s website. All exam results are valid fora period of two years.

The test takes four hours to complete and consists of four parts: reading, listening, speaking and writing. The level can be compared to the havo/vwo final exams. Dutch students tend to perform quite well on the test, averaging a score of 100. However, it is still wise to prepare adequately for the test.

 

Registration and preparations for TOEFL

Dutch students can take the test at several testing centers throughout the country. You can register online through ETS. The test will cost $245. There are several test dates a month. Be sure to sign up in time: test dates fill up quickly, especially around fall when many students sign up. Your scores can be viewed on the ETS website within 15 days.

You have to include your test results as part of your application. You can to select up to four schools during your registration that will receive your results for free. All other score reports will cost you $20 each to send out. If you are not sure where you want to apply, or if you want to see your score before sending it to your potential schools, you can opt to have your scores sent at a later date.

Applying for the Campus Scholarship Program?

We only accept a TOEFL score for the program. If you are applying to the Campus Scholarship Program, you will have to enter the Fulbright Commission’s score report code during registration, your score will be forwarded directly to us.

  • TOEFL: 7018

We recommend you prepare well for the TOEFL, including taking several practice tests. You can download free practice material at:

 

IELTS

Just like the TOEFL, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) measures your communicative proficiency in English. More and more American schools now also accept the IELTS as proof of English proficiency, although the TOEFL remains the primary proof of proficiency in the US. If you are considering taking the IELTS instead of the TOEFL, always make sure that your universities accept IELTS test results. The Campus Scholarship Program does not accept IELTS test results.

The IELTS Academic Test takes two hours and 45 minutes to complete. It can be taken at a test center and has a written and spoken component. The test consists of four components: reading, listening, speaking and writing. You score is calculated on a scale of 0-9 and will be valid for a period of two years.

 

Registration and preparations for IELTS

The IELTS can be taken around four times a month and will cost $215. You can register online at IELTS. Be sure to sign up in time: test dates fill up quickly. You will receive your results two weeks after completing the test and will be able to access these online at IELTS for 28 days. After this period, IELTS will forward your score report to up to five educational institutions. If you are not sure where you want to apply, or if you want to send your score report to more than five schools, you can opt to have your scores sent out by IELTS at a later date, for a small fee.

We recommend you prepare well for the IELTS, including taking several practice tests. You can download free practice material at the IELTS website.