An english test waiver is real at some universities, myth at others:
- Medium-of-instruction certificate: if your whole degree was taught in English, many German universities and some UK ones waive the test. Get the letter from your university registrar, not your department. - English-medium schooling: 12 years in English-medium schools waives requirements at scattered European universities. - The waiver comes from the university, not from you. If they want IELTS for UKVI, no MOI letter overrides it. - USA: waivers are rarer. Top programs still want scores on file. - Confirm in writing with admissions. "My friend got a waiver" is not a policy. Sources: IELTS Waivers save $200 and a month of prep. But a waiver denied in week eight costs you the intake. Apply for the waiver AND book the test; cancel the test if the waiver lands.
An English test waiver can skip the exam entirely if your prior education was in English.