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Required Test Scores

UCSC Test Reporting Code: 4860

After you submit your application you will be able to see what materials we have from you via the Status Page on the application. Scores must be reported electronically; we will not accept paper test score reports, and we will not look up individual scores.

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Graduate Division's Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Information.

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Graduate Division's English Proficiency Testing (TOEFL iBT; IELTS) Information.

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Scroll down to see all departments. If you are unable to view this document, please visit the Google Sheet page or download the sheet in PDF format (updated 8/2023).

English Testing Information

Applicants whose native language is not English must prove competency through either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exams. We do not accept any other language scores than IELTS or TOEFL (i.e. not Duolingo, Versant, etc.).

 

Scores must be reported to us electronically from your test provider; we do not accept paper test score reports, nor do we look up scores individually. Language scores must be received before they expire or they will not be considered official.

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Minimum scores required for admission to UC Santa Cruz graduate programs:

  • TOEFL iBT (including the Home Edition*) minimum acceptable scores:

    • 89 for applicants to the Bioinformatics, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Applied Math,  Computational Media, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Natural Language Processing and Statistical Sciences programs;

    • 83 for all other programs.

    • *Scores from the TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution test are not accepted at UC Santa Cruz.

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  • IELTS Academic (in-person and online versions) minimum acceptable score: 7.0 for all programs.

    • Trying to send us "updated" IELTS scores? Please see this important form first!​ 

    • IELTS One Skill Retake reports are also accepted as long as you have reported official, valid (not expired) IELTS Academic scores to us.

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TOEFL/IELTS waivers may be requested by applicants who have completed their bachelor's degrees in English-speaking institutions. If you plan to request such a waiver, you must select a back-up method of examination on the admission application in case your request is not approved. Indicate a future testing date and explain your desire and qualifications for a waiver of this requirement on the Additional Information page of the application.

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GRE Testing Information

GRE scores must be received by the Division of Graduate Studies prior to the application deadline. Have the Educational Testing Service forward your test scores electronically to the UC Santa Cruz Graduate Studies Office (School Code 4860). Hard copies of score reports will be discarded, only electronic scores will be accepted.

 

It is not necessary to indicate a department code since all scores are sent to the Division of Graduate Studies, but if you are required to choose a department code indicate 00 or "other."

 

When will we receive your scores?

  • Internet-Based Testing: Scores reports are sent to you and up to 4 institutions, if you designate them on the day of the test, approximately 10 to 15 days after your test date.

  • Paper-Based Testing: Scores reports are sent to you and up to 4 designated institutions, if you designated them prior to the test administration, approximately 4 to 6 weeks after your test date.

    • ​Because institutions have the option of receiving scores in a format that is distributed approximately twice a month, you should allow additional time for receipt and processing time at the institutions.

 

Information on the GRE may be obtained at the ETS GRE website, or call 1-609-771-7670 or 1-866-473-4373 (toll free for test takers in the United States, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada).

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