There is no single “EEE” in Lebanon. EEE stands for English Entrance Exam, and each university sets its own: the American University of Beirut (AUB), the Lebanese American University (LAU) and Beirut Arab University (BAU) each use a different exam, different scores and different rules for accepting an external test such as IELTS, TOEFL or the SAT instead. Everything below comes from each university’s own pages, read on 20 October 2026.
By Al Khawarizmi Institute. Checked on 1 November 2026.
How do I register for the LAU EEE or AUB-EN, and when are the dates?
For LAU, you apply first, then register through your LAU Portal. For AUB, you register online during the set registration days. These are the facts from each university’s page, checked on 1 November 2026:
| LAU EEE | AUB-EN | |
| Fee | USD 65 | $50 |
| Next dates | 21 November 2026, 09:00, on the Beirut and Byblos campuses. LAU says later dates are not yet announced. | 5 and 6 November, and 10 and 11 December 2026. No 2027 dates are listed yet. |
| Register | By 15 November, through the LAU Portal | 2 to 4 November for the November dates; 7 to 9 December for the December dates |
| Results | Normally two to three weeks later | Within 9 working days |
| Rules | Wait at least 30 days before a retake | A registration can’t be deleted, transferred or postponed |
| Source | LAU exams page | AUB registration and 2026 schedule |
Where can I find EEE sample tests?
Use the universities’ own material. LAU’s exams page links an EEE Test Preparation Guide and an EEE Sample for 2026-27. AUB’s information booklet contains sample tasks, but it is dated March 2017, so it may be out of date. For BAU, its Language Center page describes a two-hour test of 100 multiple-choice questions, in four parts: Reading, Vocabulary, Language Use and Writing. BAU’s dates, fee and registration steps are not on that page, so ask BAU directly.
Why you cannot prepare for “the” EEE
Lebanon has no one national exam to prepare for. An English entrance exam is a university’s way of deciding whether you can follow lectures in English and which English course to start in. Because each university writes its own, a score earned for one does not transfer to another. The useful first step is to find which universities you are applying to, then read what each one asks.
Universities can also change minimums without notice. LAU says so on its own page, in these words: “The minimum scores for all entrance exams may be changed without prior notice.” Treat any figure in this guide, or anyone else’s, as something to confirm on the admissions page before you register.
AUB: the AUB-EN, or an external score
AUB calls its English requirement Readiness for University Study in English (RUSE). According to its undergraduate catalogue (aub.edu.lb), the requirement can be met with the AUB English Entrance Examination (AUB-EN), the TOEFL, the IELTS, or the SAT English section. It must be met as early as possible, and no later than the end of July, and before registration. TOEFL registrations for AUB use the code 0902.
The catalogue page does not list the cutoff numbers, and it points to a separate page for current figures. What AUB does publish is how scores place students in English courses. On the Communication Skills Program placement page:
- English 100A: TOEFL iBT 52 to 57, IELTS Academic 5.5, or AUB-EN 25 to 27.
- English 100B: TOEFL iBT 58 to 68, IELTS Academic 5.5, or AUB-EN 28 to 31.
- English 102: TOEFL iBT 69 to 78, IELTS Academic 6.0, or AUB-EN 32 to 39. The page also lists an SAT score of 530 next to this course.
(Source: AUB placement criteria. These are placement bands, not admission minimums.) Two other details are worth knowing. Students in remedial or intensive English earn no degree credit, and the catalogue says a student placed there who does not pass by the end of the second term loses admission. And the placement page says students cannot sit the AUB-EN once registered at AUB, so the exam is a pre-registration decision.
AUB exempts applicants whose native language is English, and applicants who completed two years of higher education at a university where English is the main language of instruction.
LAU: its own EEE, or one external score
LAU’s English proficiency page (lau.edu.lb) says applicants submit official scores from one of the listed tests. The listed minimums are:
- LAU English Entrance Exam (EEE): 102
- Internet-based TOEFL: 80 on the 0 to 120 scale (LAU code 2595), or 4.5 on the 1 to 6 scale
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 460
- ACT English/Writing section: 7
- IELTS: 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 115
The page states that the institutional TOEFL is not accepted. It also shows how EEE scores place students: 52 to 67 starts in the Intensive English Program at IEP002, 68 to 101 starts at IEP003, 102 to 122 starts at ENG009 Remedial English (non-credit), 123 to 134 at ENG101 Academic English I, 135 to 147 at ENG102 Academic English II, and 148 to 160 at ENG202 Advanced Academic English. A score at the minimum gets you in, but it does not get you out of the English courses. Aiming higher than the minimum can save you semesters.
BAU: its own exam, or an external score
BAU’s undergraduate admission page (bau.edu.lb) sets the BAU English Language Admission Exam at a minimum of 60 percent. It lists these scores as accepted in place of the BAU exam:
- TOEFL paper-based: 520; internet-based: 68; computer-based: 180
- New SAT I reading and writing section: 480
- IELTS: 5.5
- LCCI: Pass Level 6, for business applicants only
- Cambridge CPE, CAE or FCE: Pass
The page also states that all applicants who completed the IGCSE or GCE programme are exempted from these English tests, and that applicants who do not pass the BAU English Language Admission Exam are asked to take remedial English courses.
Side by side
- AUB: own exam (AUB-EN) or TOEFL, IELTS or SAT English section; cutoffs on a separate AUB page; must be met by the end of July.
- LAU: own EEE (102) or one of TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5, SAT reading and writing 460, ACT English/Writing 7, Duolingo 115.
- BAU: own exam at 60 percent, or TOEFL 68 internet-based, IELTS 5.5, SAT reading and writing 480 and others.
The same student could pass the English requirement at one of these universities and need remedial English at another. IELTS 5.5, for instance, is listed as acceptable for BAU admission, while LAU lists 6.5. That is why comparing universities before you choose an exam matters.
How to choose: take their exam, or bring an external score?
- One university only: preparing for its own exam is usually the direct route.
- Several universities: an external score such as IELTS, TOEFL or the SAT travels between applications, while a university exam does not.
- Already sitting the SAT for admission: check whether the university accepts its reading and writing section. AUB, LAU and BAU all list an SAT option on their pages. See SAT or ACT: how to choose and our guide to registering for the digital SAT from Lebanon.
- Short on time: ask us. The team advises whether a target is realistic in the time available, and we run crash courses for students with an exam soon.
What our preparation covers
Al Khawarizmi Institute offers EEE preparation. It is preparation only: we do not run the university exams. Because each university sets its own, tell us which one or ones you are applying to. If you are going the SAT route, see our SAT preparation course, which covers the whole syllabus of both sections, Reading and Writing, and Math. For IELTS or TOEFL, see our IELTS course and TOEFL course. Classes run at our main branch in Simkanieh, and live on Zoom for students who prefer online.
Start at least two months before your exam date. If your English level is far below the target, longer is better.
Your next step
Message us on WhatsApp (+961 71 27 67 13). We answer straight away during opening hours, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm. You can also call the Simkanieh landline on 05 501 973, email [email protected], fill in the online registration form, or walk in at our main branch in Simkanieh in the Chouf without an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one EEE for all universities in Lebanon?
No. There is no single EEE in Lebanon. Each university sets its own English entrance requirement, and AUB, LAU and BAU each differ.
Does AUB accept IELTS instead of its own English exam?
According to the AUB undergraduate catalogue, the English requirement can be met with the AUB-EN, the TOEFL, the IELTS or the SAT English section. The catalogue page does not list the cutoff scores, so check AUB’s current figures page.
What English score does LAU ask for?
LAU’s English proficiency page lists one of: its own EEE at 102, TOEFL iBT 80, SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 460, ACT English/Writing 7, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 115. The institutional TOEFL is not accepted.
What English score does BAU ask for?
BAU’s undergraduate admission page sets its own English admission exam at a minimum of 60 percent, or in its place TOEFL 520 paper-based or 68 internet-based, IELTS 5.5 or SAT reading and writing 480, among others.
Does the institute run the university English exams?
No. We offer preparation only. The exams are set and run by each university.
How early should I start preparing for an English entrance exam?
At least two months before the exam. Longer is better, and our team can advise whether your target is realistic in the time available.
Questions about fees or the next group? Message us and we will reply during opening hours, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 8pm: Enroll Now.