Why are language test scores requirements sometimes higher for undergraduate than graduate admission?

Question

I’ve been searching for the graduate requirements of some university. As regards the language test scores, TOEFL>90 or IELTS>7 are necessary. However, I stumbled upon undergraduate requirements: TOEFL>100 (>25 each) or IELTS>7.5. In my opinion, graduate studies are more complex thus require higher levels/skills, so **what could be reasons that the graduate scores are lower than the undergraduate ones?**

Answer 1

It depends on a variety of things. The usual reason is that it's been determined that a higher language ability is required for success in a particular subject - and yes, it is the usual situation that grad score minimums are higher than undergrad. In the US, for example, an undergrad at a typical liberal arts school could theoretically need to use more English language than a graduate in statistical analysis, for example. But it could also be as simple as each department setting their own minimum entry score, or the grad department for whatever reason is trying to expand their pool of international students.

You can always reach out to the department you're interested in to see if you can find out!