Graduate Program - GRE/TOEFL Requirements
GRE General Score Requirements:
Guideline scores are: Verbal Reasoning 65%, Quantitative Reasoning 85%, Analytical Writing 30%. In recent years, admission has become more competitive and the scores have generally exceeded these guidelines. However all components of the application are considered in arriving at an admission decision, and the department does not employ GRE "minimums" as a screening device.
The GRE is required for all students except those applying for the MCS, MCS-DE, or MSCN programs who have graduated from a US university majoring in Computer Science or Computer Engineering with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
The General GRE test scores expire five years after the test date. Expired scores will not be accepted.
Scores for GRE Subject Test:
A recent score for the GRE Subject Test in Computer Science is recommended but not required for PhD applicants. Guideline score is 720.
TOEFL or IELTS Score Requirements:
In order to be eligible for admission to the Graduate School at NCSU, all international applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate proficiency in English at a level necessary to be successful in a graduate program at NC State. This requirement can be met for most applicants in one of the following ways:
Provide Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a total score of at least 80 on the Internet-based Test (iBT). Minimum test scores for each section:
Listening
18 points (minimum score)
Reading
18 points (minimum score)
Writing
18 points (minimum score)
Speaking
18 points (minimum score) - for admission to the Graduate School
23 points - for TA appointment where TA has direct verbal interactions with students
Provide the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a total score in at least the 6.5 b and. Minimum test scores for each section:
Listening
6.5 (minimum score)
Reading
6.5 (minimum score)
Writing
6.5 (minimum score)
Speaking
6.5 (minimum score) - for admission to the Graduate School
7 - for TA appointment where TA has direct verbal interactions with students
be a citizen of a country where English is an official language and the language of instruction in higher education;
have successfully completed at least one year of full-time study in a degree program at a four-year US College or university.
TOEFL test date or the IELTS test date must be no older than two years (24 months) prior to the beginning of the requested entry term.
You can find score comparisons for different versions of the TOEFL here.
TOEFL and IELTS scores may be reported to us using institution code 5496.