English Language Proficiency

About English Language Proficiency

About English Language Proficiency

Applicants are required to demonstrate English proficiency as part of the admission process. Before scheduling an exam, review the waiver options below to determine whether you already meet our English proficiency requirement. If you do not qualify for a waiver, you may satisfy this requirement by submitting one of the accepted English proficiency tests listed below.

English proficiency test waivers

You do not need to submit an English proficiency test if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Completed your secondary or post-secondary education at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. Applicants must submit an official letter from the institution confirming that English is the primary language of instruction.
• Completed all high school instruction in the United States in English.
• SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 570 or higher. Submission of SAT scores is optional. University of the Pacific’s SAT code is 4065.
• ACT Composite score of 22 or higher. Submission of ACT scores is optional. University of the Pacific’s ACT code is 0240.
• You are a citizen of one of the following countries: Australia, Canada, Ghana, New Zealand, Nigeria, South Africa or the United Kingdom. Applicants who choose to submit SAT or ACT scores may do so instead of an English proficiency test. (International transfer students with more than 30 transferable college units are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.)
• GCE A-Level English Exam grade of B or higher.
• AP English exam score of 4 or higher.
• IB English exam score of 5 or higher.
• Completed two English Composition courses at a U.S. college or university with grades of B or higher in both courses.
• Completed one English Composition course and one Communications or Critical Thinking course at a U.S. college or university with grades of B or higher in both courses.

Accepted English proficiency tests

If you do not meet one of the waiver criteria above, you must submit official results from one of the following English proficiency tests to be considered for admission.