English Language | Information About Tests

All SAIS students, with the exception of MIPP students, need to take and pass language proficiency exams in one of the languages taught at SAIS as part of their graduation requirements. Students are not required to take language classes at SAIS in order to pass the language proficiency examination if they have gained the necessary proficiency elsewhere. However, it is advisable to contact the appropriate language coordinator to determine a reasonable plan of study in preparation for fulfillment of the language requirement. Please be aware that regional concentrations require specific languages to meet their language graduation requirements.

English language proficiency tests: more information

Eligibility to take proficiency exams more information

• English placment test more information
• Exemption from placement exams more information

English as a proficiency language

Eligibility to take proficiency exams

Students who wish to take the proficiency exams for English

• Must be recommended to take it by their current English language instructor
  OR
• pass the English placement exam for the appropriate skill or have the test waived,
  OR
• show evidence of further English language study outside of SAIS since the time of admission.

English placement exam

In addition to the TOEFL or IELTS exams required for admission, ALL international students whose native language is not English need to take an English placement exam to determine whether they need further training to succeed in their studies at SAIS. The test is administered during pre-term or orientation. Students who do not pass the English placement exam will be required to take English classes during their tenure at SAIS and may be asked to reduce the number of non-language courses taken per semester.

Exemption from placement exams

An international student who studied at least the last three full years of high school in an English medium, accredited high school may request an exemption for the first semester English placement exam requirement. In order to get exempted, a student needs to provide a letter from his/her school stating the number of years/ semesters attended at this school, as well as the name of the school ' accreditation agency. Graduates of American Schools Abroad also need to provide this information. Check the admissions web page for a list of SAIS recognized accreditation agencies. Students who have attended a school affiliated with the British system and who have achieved British A level accreditation can use this to demonstrate having studied high school in English and to demonstrate grounds for exemption from the first semester English placement exam requirement.

For specific information and details on language qualification examinations, visit the language program office or view the language program Web site.

English Proficiency Tests

• International MA and Ph.D. students whose native language is not English may use English as their proficiency language provided that their concentration does not require a specific language for proficiency.
• International MIPP students whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate proficiency in English by either passing the English placement exam at the beginning of their first semester at SAIS or by taking and passing 2 semesters of ESL instruction at SAIS.

For English, minimum required proficiency levels for each skill are as follows:

Speaking - Advanced High [click here for descriptors and sample test items]
Reading - Superior [click here for descriptors and sample test items]
Listening - Superior [click here for descriptors and sample test items]
Writing - Superior [click here for descriptors and sample test items]

Students who do not meet these minimum proficiency levels are required to follow a course of instruction varying in length from one to four semesters. In some instances, students may be restricted to less than a full-time course load or may be prevented from enrolling in another language course until minimum proficiency is established.