Applicants should already have taken the TOEFL (or the ITP which is also a good indicator of English proficiency) at their own expense prior to applying. If not, the applicant's performance in the interview will at least give you a sense of their English language ability. It is up to the Embassy to decide whether a TOEFL, ITP or entrance exam (GRE or GMAT) score will be required at the time of application. AMIDEAST will provide paper vouchers for TOEFL and GRE and can supply voucher numbers for GMAT upon request but note that these are reserved for those applicants who have already advanced to nominee status. Once nominated, the Embassy can distribute the vouchers as necessary and the nominees can go about registering for the proper exams.

If you have an AMIDEAST field office in your country, they will provide information to Fulbright applicants about the standardized tests that are usually required for U.S. university graduate admission. AMIDEAST provides registration forms and conducts administrations of the most common standardized tests, including the TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, ITP, and many others. Most AMIDEAST offices serve as Test Centers, offering many tests in a computer-based format. Test candidates may register directly with the Regional Registration Center and in some cases, through their local AMIDEAST office.

Please request that nominees indicate the AMIDEAST Headquarters institutional codes on the test registration forms on the day of the test. The AMIDEAST HQ code for the TOEFL is 5027 and for the GRE is R5027. It is important for the nominee to use the AMIDEAST HQ code as opposed to the code for one of our field offices. If the code is included on the registration form, AMIDEAST HQ will be sent official score reports as soon as the test scores are available. When we do not receive the scores in a timely manner, the delay slows down the placement process.

TOEFL & GRE Vouchers: We will issue vouchers numbers to be used to iBT registration and send a paper GRE fee voucher card are for Fulbright nominees who:

1. Need test scores
2. Need to replace outdated test scores - particularly TOEFL scores that will be two years old or more by the start of their academic program
3. Need to improve test scores to improve placement or admission options

TOEFL: All nominees should have a TOEFL or Institutional TOEFL (also known as ITP) as part of their Fulbright dossier. AMIDEAST can begin placement with an outdated TOEFL score or a recent ITP score, while we wait for the valid TOEFL score report. The nominee should assume the cost of the ITP as no funds have been budgeted for it. Please also note that the ITP score report will not be sufficient for university decisions. A valid TOEFL score is required for admission to all universities.

Most universities require a minimum TOEFL score of 550. The requirements for certain fields of study are higher. For example, the fields of English, Literature, TEFL/TESOL, Linguistics, etc. all demand a high-level of English comprehension. All nominees should be advised throughout the placement process that a TOEFL score lower than 550 will jeopardize successful placement.

GRE: The GRE General test should only be taken by degree-seeking nominees. The GRE is a strict admissions requirement of almost all graduate programs (except Business). The GRE Subject Test should NOT be taken unless AMIDEAST informs the Embassy that a Subject Test is required. Non-degree students do not need to take the GRE.