120 overall
Scope: International undergraduate first-year and transfer English proficiency.
| Policy | DET overall | IELTS requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate first-year and transfer admission | 120 | 6.5 Academic overall |
These are the university’s own requirements for each test. The IELTS column is not a conversion of the DET column.
Subscores and program differences
The cited undergraduate policy does not list an additional DET subscore minimum. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are exempt from this proof requirement; other applicants should check the complete exemption and qualification rules. Graduate policies are separate.
Sending your result and checking dates
Arrange direct delivery of your official report to Undergraduate Admissions. Your legal name on the test must match the application so Penn State can process the result. Check your application deadline as well as the two-year score limit.
Confirm the current instructions for your program and intake on the official Penn State admissions page.
How the DET score compares with IELTS
DET 120 compares with IELTS 6.5 in Duolingo’s overall concordance. Penn State sets its own test requirements, shown above; those requirements take precedence for your application.
Explore the DET 120 comparison or use the full DET to IELTS converter and its official sources.
Practice around your remaining requirement
At 115, the next five-point step reaches the published overall threshold. Review the weakest skill and the quality of your timed responses before booking a retake; a PrepEx estimate is not a certified result.
PrepEx scores are independent practice estimates, not official DET results. Meeting a test threshold does not guarantee admission.
Check the policy before applying
Source: Pennsylvania State University — official admissions requirements. Reviewed by PrepEx on .
This is an independent summary of the stated policy. Recheck program, campus, exemption, and intake details with the university. Inclusion does not imply a partnership with or endorsement of PrepEx.
Considering TOEFL instead? Read the separate Penn State TOEFL requirements. Each test’s policy is independently set.
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Also compare: Purdue · ASU · Arizona · Michigan State · MIT.