English Proficiency Requirements

Students whose native language is not English must submit proof of English proficiency. IVC does not admit international students or issue the I-20 for ESL or AESL (English as a Second Language) study.

Students whose native language is English or who have had English as the language of instruction throughout high school do not need to submit English proficiency tests. (Official school documentation verifying English as the language of instruction is required).

ESL school completion or submission of English proficiency tests does not waive this requirement.​​  The IVC ESL assessment test is used for placement decisions in registration for non-native English speakers.

English Proficiency Exams

IVC accepts the following English proficiency exams. Official exam scores cannot be more than two (2) years old:

• TOEFL: 52 iBT or 470 paper based (IVC institution code is 4773)
• IELTS: 4.5
• CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH:  160  (B2 First, C1 Advanced)
• iTEP:  4.5
• EIKEN: Grade 2A (Original test score reports are required for the EIKEN test)
• PEARSON: 41
• GTEC CBT: 900

ESL Partner School Agreements

Irvine Valley College has agreements with intensive ESL schools to waive English proficiency testing based on completion of specified levels at one our partner schools. Official transcripts or a letter verifying completion of the required level is needed. Please see below for a list of IVC’s partner English language schools and required levels of completion:

IVC ESL Assessment Test

Students who place into ESL 370 or higher on the ESL Assessment Test at IVC have met our English proficiency requirement for admission; submission of an English proficiency test will not required for admission for such students.

Completion of Freshman Composition Course:

Students who have completed Freshman Composition (WR 1) at an accredited US university with a grade of "C" or better may have the English proficiency waived. Official transcripts verifying completion are required.

NOTE: All new students whose first language is not English are required to take the ESL assessment test prior to registration in classes at IVC. The IVC ESL assessment test is used for placement decisions in registration. ESL school completion or submission of English proficiency tests does not waive this requirement.