Standardized Testing & Language Proficiency

The Dual BA Program has adopted a test-optional policy for first-year Anglophone applicants. Non-native English speakers should refer to English proficiency testing requirements, which remain in effect. Please see below for how this policy will affect the admissions process.

  • If I do not submit SAT or ACT scores, will it affect my application and/or admission to the Dual BA Program? 
    Since testing is not a required component for Fall 2025 admission, students who choose not to submit test scores will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process. However, if students have previously completed testing and are able to submit SAT or ACT results, they are welcome to do so. The Office of Admissions will continue to evaluate all submitted information within the holistic and contextual review process that considers the individual circumstances shaping each applicant's journey. The rigor of a student’s curriculum, academic achievement, and demonstrated intellectual curiosity will remain central to the review of their application file. 
     
  • How do I submit SAT or ACT scores if I have them? 
    Our testing policies remain the same for students who choose to submit standardized test results. The Office of Admissions will continue to accept self-reported scores but will require an official score report upon enrollment. Students with multiple test scores on file will be evaluated on the highest score they received in any individual section of that test. 
     
  • Does this policy apply to other test scores? 
    Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and other proficiency exam scores are not required, but the Office of Admissions will accept these results for any students who choose to submit them.

As a reminder, this policy is only applicable for first-year Anglophone students. All other applicants, please see below for detailed information on testing requirements.

What standardized test scores do I submit?

As noted above, the Dual BA Program has adopted a test-optional policy for Anglophone applicants. However, students who choose to submit their Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Testing Program (ACT) scores as part of their Fall 2025 application for admission should have their score reports sent directly from the testing service to the Dual BA Program, care of Columbia University School of General Studies.

  • The College Board (SAT and TOEFL) code for Columbia University School of General Studies is 2095.

  • The ACT code for Columbia University School of General Studies is 2716.

Please note that the testing codes above for the School of General Studies differ from those for Columbia College and Columbia Engineering; please ensure that all test scores are sent to the appropriate admissions office.

Students for whom English was not the primary language of instruction for their high school or secondary education (ex.: French lycée students, including those in American/British OIB sections) must submit official scores from either the Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge English Qualifications C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency exams. These scores must be received by the January 2 application deadline.

The Dual BA Program admissions committee requires the following minimum scores for students applying to the program: 

Non-native English speakers may choose to submit an SAT or ACT score instead of a Duolingo, TOEFL, IELTS, or C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency exam; however, the admissions committee reserves the right to ask students to later submit a Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, IELTS, or C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency exam as part of their application.

Regardless of the standardized test result used in the admissions process, all admitted students will be required to take the English Essay Examination offered by the Columbia University American Language Program in their second year at Sciences Po before beginning their coursework at Columbia if English is not their native language and was not the primary language of instruction in their secondary school.

Year 1 classes in Poitiers are taught using either French or English as the language of instruction. As such, students must demonstrate a minimum level of French and/or Spanish at one of the following proficiency levels as part of their application for admission:

  • French: C1
    OR
  • English: C1 AND minimum B1 proficiency in French
    • In this case, students will follow a one-week French language intensive at the beginning of their studies in Poitiers
  • Spanish: B2 level recommended, but not compulsory for admission

If French was not the primary language of instruction for the candidate’s high school or secondary education, the candidate must submit exam results demonstrating the necessary language proficiencies in addition to any other required standardized test scores. Scores should be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing service. French proficiency can be demonstrated using the following:

French B1/C1:

  • International Baccalaureat SL, with a minimum score of 4
  • International Baccalaureat HL, with a minimum score of 3
  • AP French Language and Culture, with a minimum score of 3
  • Secondary school transcript indicating French language proficiency
  • Transcript from an Institut Français indicating French language proficiency

If English was not the primary language of instruction for the candidate’s high school or secondary education, please refer to the “Students of Graduates of Non-Anglophone High Schools” section above.

Students Exempted from the French Language Testing Requirement

Applicants to the Latin America Minor are exempt from the French Language Testing Requirement if they meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Those who are enrolled in a French lycée, pursuing the baccalauréat (any stream)

  • Those who have completed a minimum of three years of secondary school studies in a French-language environment

  • Those who are following the International Baccalaureate, and who have chosen French as their main language of study (A1/A2 level only)

  • Those who are following the European Baccalaureate, and who have chosen French as their main language of study (Linguistic section with French as the native language or LV1)

Although French proficiency is not required at the time of admission for the Le Havre, Menton, or Reims campuses, students in these programs are expected to learn French as part of their time at Sciences Po. Courses on these three campuses are taught in English, with additional instruction provided in French and the living languages spoken in the region of focus. All non-native speakers are required to study French up to a B2 level on the Diplôme d'études en langue française (DELF) during their time at Sciences Po.

Students who wish to study within the Latin America and the Caribbean Minor in Poitiers must be fluent in both English and French. For students applying to this program, fluency in both languages will be assessed during the admissions interviews. In addition to providing proof of English fluency, students applying for the Latin America and the Caribbean Minor must also provide proof of French fluency in their application file. All non-native French speakers must submit standardized exam results to demonstrate French fluency. The Dual BA Program Admissions Committee requires the equivalent of a minimum score of B2 on the DELF. Applicants to the Dual BA Program who are not fluent in French and wish to study in the Latin America and the Caribbean Minor should contact the Office of Admission to discuss their interest in the program before applying.

Proficiency in languages common to the regions of focus in Le Havre, Menton, and Reims are not required for admission to the Dual BA Program. However, in addition to French language instruction for all non-native level speakers, students at Sciences Po will have the option to study a language from the region of focus for their program once they achieve B2-level proficiency in French. Students who have a background in a regional language will take a placement test to assess their level of fluency in advance of their first semester in the Dual BA Program. 

Unofficial documents are accepted as part of the application review process. If offered admission, in order to enroll you will be required to submit official documents. Official standardized test scores must be sent directly from the testing institutions to the School of General Studies. See testing codes above for the SAT and ACT exams. English Proficiency exams must be sent directly from the testing agency to [email protected].