Admission and Placement

English is the medium of instruction at the American University of Kuwait; therefore, competence in the language is a prerequisite for success in academic pursuits. Applicants whose TOEFL average score is below 60 (reading 13-18, writing 14-17) on the internet-based test or whose IELTS average score is below 6.0 (reading 6.0, writing 5.0) and who otherwise qualify for admission to AUK are eligible for admission into the Intensive English Program (IEP). Once admitted to IEP, students take the ACCUPLACER English as a Second Language Placement Test—a diagnostic test that enables IEP to assess students’ language ability and place them at the most appropriate level. Benchmarks are subject to change.

  ESL Accuplacer IELTS TOEFL iBT
Course

LPT
Scores
Average

Write Placer
Score
   
Level 1 62 – 85 1 – 3 Overall 4-4.5
Reading 4-4.5
Writing 4-4.5
Overall 31-34
Reading 3
Writing ≤ 11
Level 2 86 – 105 4 – 5 Overall 5-5.5
Reading 5-5.5
Writing 5-5.5
Overall 35-59
Reading 4-12
Writing 12-13
ENGL 100 106-120 5 – 6 Overall 6.0
Reading 6.0
Writing 5.0
Overall 60-78
Reading 13-18
Writing 14-17