If you meet Waterloo's academic admission requirements, and meet the English language requirement for the Bridge to Academic Success in English (BASE) program, you may be admitted if the honours program you applied to offers BASE.
The English language test you submitted to Waterloo and your academic program admission requirements will determine which BASE session you are eligible for. The session you qualify for will be on your offer of admission.
|
Test |
Minimum score |
|
|
1 term in BASE |
2 terms in BASE |
|
|
Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) |
Overall 80 |
Overall 74-79 |
|
IELTS |
Overall 6.0, 6.0 in writing |
Overall 5.5 - 6.0, 5.0 in writing OR Overall 6.5, writing less than 6.0 |
|
CAEL |
Overall 60 |
Overall 50 |
|
PTE Academic |
Overall 58-62 OR Overall 63, writing and speaking less than 65 |
Overall 50-57 |
| Cambridge English (Effective Fall 2022) |
Overall 170, minimum 165 writing and 165 speaking C1 Advanced or C2 proficiency |
Overall 160, minimum 154 writing and 154 speaking C1 Advanced or C2 proficiency |
| Duolingo |
The Duolingo English Test has updated their scoring system. The minimum requirement for tests completed before July 1, 2024 is an overall score of 95, with minimum Literacy and Production scores of 95. The minimum requirement for tests completed after July 1, 2024 require an overall score of 115 with Literacy and Production scores of 115. |
The Duolingo English Test has updated their scoring system. The minimum requirement for tests completed before July 1, 2024 is an overall score of 85, with minimum Literacy and Production scores of 85. The minimum requirement for tests completed after July 1, 2024 require an overall score of 105 with Literacy and Production scores of 105. |
|
EFAS |
Overall 75% at the 300-level |
Overall 70-74% at the 300-level OR Overall 80% at the 200-level |
NOTE: Tests that do not appear on the list are not accepted for admission.
Where do I send my English language test scores?
The test centre must send your official English language test scores directly to our Registrar's Office. We do not accept faxes and student copies of test scores.
See how and when to submit your English language proficiency scores.
NOTE: For Arts/BASE, Health/BASE, Environment/BASE, Math/BASE, and Science/BASE - If we receive a passing score before August 15, 2025, we will reconsider your application. If the admission committee is satisfied, you will be able to start your degree studies directly.
NOTE: For Engineering/BASE - If you have received an offer of admission to Engineering/BASE and you submit a passing test score, we may reassess your application. Decisions on reassessment will be made on a case-by-case basis. There is no guarantee that you will be able to start an Engineering program as this depends on the number of spaces still available in the program.