IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in USA: Every student who wants to study in the United States works for a high IELTS score. However, due to the exam's complexity, some students may find it difficult to earn the desired score. On the IELTS exam, several aspirants do not earn a score of greater than 5.5.
The IELTS band score is likely to be the most troublesome element for such students, as it has a significant impact on their chances of studying abroad. However, many US universities, to their surprise, accept international students with low IELTS scores.
If you are among the thousands of students who wish to study in USA but get disheartened because of their low IELTS scores, then here is a list of IELTS 5.5 band colleges in USA that will surely help you out.
How is the IELTS Scored?
Before highlighting the options of universities that international students may get with a 5.5 IELTS band score, let us go into the basics of the IELTS scoring system. Each of the four sections of the exam will be graded on a scale of 1-9. The overall IELTS score is calculated by the average score of the four sections and is delivered in half or full bands.
The IELTS TRF consists of the score of each component which is reading, writing, listening and speaking and the overall score. Each of the IELTS bands is given a particular score descriptor where Band 1 is non-user and Band 9 is an expert user.
IELTS Band Score |
Score Descriptor |
---|---|
Band 9 |
Expert user |
Band 8 |
Very good user |
Band 7 |
Good user |
Band 6 |
Competent user |
Band 5 |
Modest user |
Band 4 |
Limited user |
Band 3 |
Extremely limited user |
Band 2 |
Intermittent user |
Band 1 |
Non-user |
Band 0 |
Did not attempt the test |
Related Reads:
Universities in Australia Accepting Low IELTS Scores | UK Universities for Indian Students with Low IELTS Scores |
Canadian Universities Accepting Low IELTS Scores |
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IELTS Band Requirements to Study in USA
During the academic session 2021-22, around 199,182 Indian students studied in different US colleges and universities. The country is an abode of some of the world’s top-ranking educational institutes that offer an academic infrastructure found nowhere in the world. However, as the USA is an English-speaking country, students must have a working knowledge of the language that will enable them to perform well in their academic pursuits.
The acceptance of an Indian student in a US university depends on their English language proficiency. The IELTS exam is the most common and widely used test that more than 3,400 institutes recognise. Depending upon their score, students can get admission to their chosen course at the university.
The average IELTS band requirement in the USA is from 6 to 6.5. The elite schools even require a 7 band in the IELTS exam. The band score stands valid for two years post which one might need to re-take the test.
What to Do if Your IELTS Scores are Insufficient?
It might be possible that your IELTS score does not meet the average band requirement for the US university. In such cases, you can fix an appointment with the admission officer of your university and get more information on the same. Find out if there are any exemptions or alternatives available that will help you study the course.
Otherwise, you can apply to those colleges that accept the band score you received. You might find out about any alternative course that does not have a high IELTS score requirement. If your scores are unsatisfactory, you may re-take the IELTS exam or go for some other English language proficiency test like the TOEFL exam, Duolingo test or PTE.
Should I Retake the IELTS Exam?
Though there are US universities that grant admission to students with a score of 5.5, you may consider re-taking the exam to increase your scores. This will put you in a position to apply to more universities that getting restricted by the list of universities accepting 5.5 bands.
Also, you must consider re-taking the IELTS exam only after a month of dedicated practice and training in the English language. Taking the test immediately may not benefit you as your knowledge base has not improved to that level, which will enable you to score a higher band score. Therefore, you should improve your skills in all four key areas and then take the exam again.
Besides, taking the IELTS exam for the second time puts a lot of mental pressure. You must overcome your nervousness regarding the IELTS exam and then resit for it. Practice IELTS question papers and mock tests to gain confidence.
Furthermore, there are a bunch of universities in the USA that accept students with low IELTS scores or that do not require an IELTS score as an admission requirement at all. These universities are enlisted below.
List of IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in USA
Let us now look at some of the IELTS 5.5 band colleges in USA for international students:
Universities |
Average Accepted IELTS Scores |
---|---|
5.5 |
|
5.5 |
|
Cambridge College |
5.5 |
5.5 |
|
5.5 |
|
Friends University |
5.5 |
National University |
5.5 |
5.5 |
|
University of Hawaii, Hilo |
5.5 |
University of Missouri |
5.5 (or TOEFL 61) |
Ohio University (Conditional Admission) |
5.5 (or TOEFL 61) |
5.5 (or TOEFL iBT-71; PBT-525) |
|
Central Michigan University (Conditional Admission) |
5.5 (or TOEFL iBT 61 to 78; PBT 500 to 549) |
5.5 (or TOEFL iBT-71; PBT-530) |
|
5.5 (or TOEFL score CBT-197; iBT-71; PBT-530) |
|
5.5 (or TOEFL score PBT-525; CBT-197; iBT-71) |
|
5.5 |
|
5.5 |
|
5.5 |
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How to Study in USA Without IELTS?
If you think that your IELTS scores are not the best to get admission to a US university or above mentioned IELTS 5.5 band colleges in USA, then certain colleges and universities do not have IELTS band requirements. Having said that, students must check whatever English language assessment they require and who may be excluded from providing any English certificate at all before selecting any college.
Numerous institutions will enable you to study in the US without IELTS (or a comparable evaluation) if you have previously attended an English language medium school and many use a Conditional Admissions Programme (CAP).
A CAP is a university-specific initiative that allows qualified international students to enrol on the condition that they attend the college's own English language programme or another Intensive English Language Program (IELP).
As highlighted before also, there are approximately 4,000 universities in the US, and English language assessment criteria vary from year to year and degree to degree. However, here is a short list of the top 10 US colleges that admit students without IELTS. We have also included a list of the alternative English language proficiency tests recognised at each college.
University |
Alternate for IELTS Exam |
---|---|
American University, Washington DC |
TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo English Test |
Conditional (IELP), ACT, SAT |
|
Conditional (IELP), TOEFL, iTEP, PTE, SAT, ACT, Duolingo English Test |
|
TOEFL, PTE |
|
TOEFL |
|
TOEFL, SAT, ACT, Duolingo |
|
TOEFL, Duolingo, ACT, SAT |
|
TOEFL, Conditional (IELP) |
|
Conditional (IELP), TOEFL, Duolingo |
|
TOEFL, Duolingo |
Documents Required for Applying to IELTS 5.5 Band Colleges in USA
If you aspire to study in one of the IELTS 5.5 band colleges in USA, then here is a list of all the important and necessary documents that you will be needing during your application process to study in USA:
-
Valid passport
-
Satisfactory English language proficiency score
-
All academic marksheets and transcripts rom class X onwards
-
Entrance test scores (SAT/ACT/GRE/GMAT)
-
Evidence of funds
-
Statement of Purpose, AcademicEssays, and Personal Statements
US Student Visa Process with IELTS 5.5 Band Score
The IELTS is valid for two years in the US. Candidates, however, do not need to meet any US Study Visa IELTS band requirements. In other words, there is no federal requirement for students in the United States to have IELTS. However, one of the particular student visas would be necessary, which candidates must apply for at the US embassy in their home country.
-
The F-1 Student Visa is for those who desire to study at an accredited university in the US. This also applies to candidates interested in studying in an English language institute.
-
J Exchange visas are issued to students who take part in exchange programmes.
-
M Student Visas are issued to students who wish to study or train in the United States.
Before applying to any US university, it is generally a good idea to look into the IELTS score requirements. This will assist you in finalising universities based on your eligibility. At the same time, those taking the IELTS exam will soon know the ideal target score for admission to top universities.
If you have any further questions regarding the IELTS 5.5 band colleges in USA, then reach out to our experts via abroad@collegedekho.com.
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