Harvard MBA TOEFL Requirements

Harvard Business School of Harvard University

A TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson Test of English (PTE) is required if you did not attend an undergraduate institution where the sole language of instruction is English. If you completed a graduate degree that was taught in English, it is recommended you submit one of these tests, but it is not required. Scores from ALL of these tests are valid for two years. These tests must be dated January 1, 2020 or more recently to be valid. HBS only accepts the Internet-based (IBT) version of the TOEFL.

HBS does not have a minimum test score to apply, however, the MBA Admissions Board discourages any candidate with a TOEFL score lower than 109 on the IBT, an IELTS score lower than 7.5, or a PTE score lower than 75 from applying.

Please note that the HBS code for the TOEFL is 3444.

TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson Test of English (PTE)

The HBS MBA Program is built upon an immersive learning experience that encourages public speaking, group discussions, and active class participation. To succeed, students must possess a highly developed proficiency in written and oral English.

• All candidates who received their bachelor’s degree and any graduate degrees from a university or universities where English is NOT the sole language of instruction are required to take an English language test.
• Candidates who received a bachelor’s degree from a university where English is NOT the sole language of instruction but received a Master’s or Ph.D. degree from a university program where English was the sole language of instruction are also strongly advised, though not required, to submit TOEFL iBT, IELTS or PTE scores as part of their initial written application process.
• For the 2021-2022 application, HBS will accept the at-home or online versions of the TOEFL iBT and the TOEFL iTP Plus (in China in partnership with Vericant), IELTS and the IELTS Indicator, and Pearson Test of English (PTE).
• Scores from tests taken before January 1, 2020 will not be accepted.
• The MBA Admissions Board discourages any candidate with a TOEFL score lower than 109 on the iBT, an IELTS score lower than 7.5, or a PTE score lower than 75 from applying.
• Those candidates required to take an English language test must have received at least their unofficial scores prior to submitting their application. Both overall and component test scores must be reported on the application form.
• All applicants must request that ETS (for the TOEFL), IELTS, or Pearson (for the PTE) send official copies of their scores to HBS. Please note that the HBS code for the TOEFL is 3444. For IELTS and PTE please follow instructions provided by IELTS and PTE.