Entrance Exams to Study Abroad

Are you planning to Study Abroad? If Yes, the admission process will require you to sit for one language exam and one standardized exam. Some of the most popular, and most important Entrance exams to Study Abroad include the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT, IELTS and, the TOEFL. Entrance Exams to Study Abroad are required for admission to universities and colleges in various countries across the world. Since each of the entrance exams has in specific requirements, you must check which Entrance Exams to Study Abroad you need to appear which aligns with your goal?  This Blog post will walk you through the common Entrance Exams for Foreign Universities. Let’s find out!

Entrance Exam for Foreign Universities

Let’s check the table describing different entrance exams for foreign universities according to the course of your choice:

Undergraduate	SAT/ACT	TOEFL (US & Canada) IELTS or PTE (UK, Australia, New Zealand) CAE/CPE (UK) CELPIP (Canada)
MBA	GMAT/GRE	TOEFL (US & Canada) IELTS or PTE (UK, Australia, New Zealand) CAE/CPE (UK) CELPIP (Canada)
MS	GRE	TOEFL (US & Canada) IELTS or PTE (UK, Australia, New Zealand) CAE/CPE (UK) CELPIP (Canada)
Certificate & Diploma		TOEFL (US & Canada) IELTS or PTE (UK, Australia, New Zealand) CAE/CPE (UK) CELPIP (Canada)
Medical	MCAT	TOEFL (US & Canada) IELTS or PTE (UK, Australia, New Zealand) CAE/CPE (UK) CELPIP (Canada)
Law	LSAT	TOEFL (US & Canada) IELTS or PTE (UK, Australia, New Zealand) CAE/CPE (UK) CELPIP (Canada)

Language Exams for Study Abroad

The language exams basically assess your English proficiency skills. You have to appear for any one of the language exams such as IELTS or TOEFL to get admission to any university in an English-speaking country. English language proficiency test is required to pursue any of the courses: Undergraduate courses, Postgraduate courses, Certificates or Diplomas. Different countries give preference to different language exams. These are some of the top English language proficiency exams used by prominent Study Abroad Destinations. Let’s see some of them:

• IELTS: IELTS is the preferred English proficiency test for getting admission to universities in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. IELTS Score has validity for two years.
• TOEFL: TOEFL test is the preferred exam for universities in the US and Canada. TOEFL scores are not accepted across many colleges in the UK. TOEFL scores have a validity of 2 years.
• PTE: PTE exam scores are some accepted at a few colleges in the US & most of the colleges in the UK. PTE scores has a validity of 2 years right from the date of exam.

Standardized Exams to Study Abroad

• GMAT, GRE, SAT, or ACT are some of Standardized tests for overseas education.
• For medical and law courses, MCAT and LSAT are other well-known exams
• International Students aspiring to pursue undergraduate courses in the USA have to appear for SAT & ACT. The College admissions committee will review the standardized test scores alongside your GPA score of high school.
• Students who are interested in overseas MBA or Business management graduate programs have to appear for GMAT.
• Students seeking admission to graduate schools in the USA, UK & Australia have to appear for the GRE Exam.
• For admissions into Law schools in countries like USA or Canada, Student has to appear for LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
• For admission into medicine courses into the USA, MCAT or Medical College Admission Test is required.

Entrance Exams to Study Abroad

• Pearson Language Test (PTE)- PTE stands for Pearson Test of English or PTE -A in short.  The PTE Academic exam is an English language test for candidates who are seeking admission to universities or countries abroad that use English as their primary source of communication. The New PTE Exam is of total 2 hrs duration. The PTE Academic exam is a computer-based English language test. PTE score is accepted by all major universities and colleges in the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom. It assesses your reading, writing, speaking, and listening ability. The test score has a validity of 2 years. Candidates willing to appear for PTE tests have to pay INR 14,700 inclusive of taxes.
• Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)- SAT stands for Scholastic Assessment Test. is a standardized test administered by the College Board. Students seeking admission to undergraduate schools have to appear for SAT tests. It basically evaluates the written, verbal and mathematical skills of the candidates. SAT format is basically a pencil-paper test. International students who want to pursue undergraduate courses, particularly in the US and Canada, have to appear for the SAT exam. The SAT exam is a 3-hour long test without an Essay. If you choose the SAT with Essay option then the SAT test will be 3 hours and 50 minutes long. Each section of the SATs Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math are scored on a 200-800 point scale. Your total SAT score will be the sum of your section scores. Also, if you choose the SAT with Essay option then the candidate will receive a separate score. SAT Exam fees cost $104 without the essay and $117 with the essay.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)- The TOEFL iBT is one of the most popular English proficiency exams for admission into American and Canadian universities and education institutions abroad. This test is conducted by ETS. The full form of TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language. This exam measures all four academic English skills – reading, listening, speaking and writing. ETS has also launched the TOEFL Home edition so that candidates take the TOEFL test during the pandemic from the safety of their homes. Also, TOEFL is widely available in the computer-delivered method called the TOEFL iBT (internet-based test). ETS has also launched the TOEFL Test on Paper in India. Candidates planning to appear for TOEFL tests have to pay US$190 as the cost of the exam.       
• Graduate Management Admission Test- The GMAT is a computer-based test that examines the candidates’ analytical writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills in standard written English. Candidates aspiring to gain admission into MBA Graduate management programs in top business schools around the world have to appear for the GMAT exam. GMAT exam is of 3 hours and 30 minutes duration. Students have to shell out US $275 (INR 22,781 approx.) to appear for the GMAT test. GMAT test scores vary between Minimum 200 to Max. 800 with an average score being 550. A candidate has to complete 18 years of age to appear for GMAT. GMAT pattern consists of four sections:
  • Analytical Writing
  • Integrated Reasoning
  • Quantitative Reasoning
  • Verbal Reasoning

The GMAT aspirants become eligible to apply to more than 7700 programs at roughly 2400 business schools globally.

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE)- The GRE exam is conducted by ETS. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is conducted for those candidates seeking admission into graduate courses worldwide. ETS has also launched the GRE at home facility, where candidates can take the GRE test from the comfort and safety of their home. Candidates should have successfully completed their undergraduate program. ETS has not prescribed an age limit for GRE. There are basically two types of GRE tests: GRE General Test & GRE Subject Test. The GRE General Test assesses verbal reasoning, quantitative ability, and analytical writing skills. Most universities accept the general test score. The GRE Subject test assesses the candidate’s achievement in a particular subject area. These tests are conducted for the following subjects: Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Literature (English), Maths, Physics, and Psychology. Indian nationals have to pay US $213 (INR 17,639) to register for the GRE test.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)- International candidates considering studying in a country where English is the main language of communication have to appear for the IELTS exam. UK, Australia, New Zealand, USA, and Canada are some of the popular countries where IELTS is accepted for university admissions. The exam mainly measures the ability of test-takers to communicate in the four basic English language skills – listening, reading, speaking, and writing. IDP Education Australia, and Cambridge English Language Assessment jointly own and conduct the IELTS exam. IELTS exams are of two types: computer-based IELTS and paper-based IELTS. Candidates who opt for the IELTS computer-based test have to take the Listening, Writing, and Reading sections on a computer. Whereas, the Speaking test is arranged face-to-face with a trained examiner. With the Computer-based IELTS, one gets more choice for test dates to choose from and gets results within 3-5 days. Candidates opting for IELTS on paper will take Reading, Writing, and Listening sections on paper with either HB pencils or a pen. Whereas, the Speaking test is conducted face-to-face with a professional IELTS examiner.
• Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)- Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is an entrance test for candidates seeking admissions into medical schools in the United States, Canada, Australia and Caribbean Islands. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has designed this course and Pearson VUE conducts this medical test. MCAT is conducted 25 times in a year in around 21 countries.
  • Candidates have to shell out $315 (INR 26,000 approx.) – $360 (INR 30,000 approx.) for each attempt. MCAT examines a candidate’s analysis, reasoning, psychological skills and knowledge of biological systems. Candidates can attempt a maximum of 3 tests in a one year period; 4 tests over a period of 2 years; and 7 tests in life. The online test totally includes 4 sections and to be attempted in 7.5 hours. MCAT analyzes students’ on their problem-solving skills, critical thinking, written analysis and knowledge of scientific concepts and principles. The overall MCAT score lies in the range of 472-528.
• Law School Admission Test (LSAT)- The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) conducts the LSAT India 2023 entrance exam in both an online and remote-proctored mode. LSAT exam is held in two sessions – January and June. This is a standardized examination for assessing the skills of law aspirants on the basis of their advanced reading skills, critical thinking, informal and deductive reasoning skills. advance reading skills, critical thinking, informal and deductive reasoning skills. Law School Admission Council (LSAC Global) conducts the exam for admission to associated law colleges. LSAT exam assesses candidates on their Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension skills. This exam carries a total of 92 questions and 2 hours and 20 minutes is the maximum time allocated to solve it. LSAT India provides scaled scores on a  score band of 420-480 with  a percentile rank. Around 50 law colleges in India accept LSAT scores for admission to three-year LLB course, five-year integrated LLB course, and LLM Course. A candidate has to shell out INR 3,799 regular fees to appear for LSAT. This exam is of 2 hours & 20 minutes duration.
• American College Testing (ACT): ACT Incorporated administers the ACT test. ACT full form is American College Testing. Candidates looking for admission in undergraduate schools based in the US and Canada have to appear for this standardized test. It basically assesses the written, mathematical, verbal and scientific skills of the candidates. From 2015 onwards, ACT conducts computer-based tests instead of the traditional paper-based test. Candidates have to register for ACT tests online. There is no such particular eligibility criteria for the ACT test. People of all ages and grade levels can appear for the ACT test. The basic registration fee for the ACT is $150 (INR 12,400) without writing and $166.50 (INR 13,760) with writing fee. ACT exam pattern contains four sections – namely, English, Math, Reading, and Science. There is also an optional section which is called the Writing section, which has one 30-40 minute writing prompt. It will define an issue, along with two points of view on that issue. Students are not scored on this section.
• Duolingo Test- Duolingo English Test is an affordable and convenient English language certification test. Thousands of institutions worldwide accept its scores. It is an online exam that candidates can take on their personal computers. It basically assesses all the four language skills Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. In comparison to IELTS or TOEFL exams which are accepted by  thousands of programs. The Duolingo exam is majorly used for admission to undergraduate programs in the US only. Also, with Duolingo, the candidate is given the option to send scores to as many educational institutions as one wants for free, whereas, with IELTS and TOEFL exams one has to pay an extra fee for sending score reports to any of educational institution other than what they are allowed at their  time of registration. Test duration is 45 minutes.
  • Advantages of Duolingo exam:
    • Convenient: You can appear for the test online anywhere, anytime—no need to travel to a test center or any appointment needed.
    • Fast: The test takers can get their score result within 48 hours of appearing for the test, and share it with anyone, immediately.
    • Affordable: You can receive your score and interview for only $49 (INR 4,050) charges, while most other language (certification tests cost over $200 INR 16,524).

The test scores are measured as a holistic score on a scale of 10-160.

Entrance Exam for MBA Abroad

MBA entrance exams are one kind of standard aptitude test which evaluates students’ logical, analytical, and critical thinking skills, their English language proficiency, and current events awareness. These tests help MBA schools in selecting the best candidates for their MBA courses. Top MBA institutions abroad choose students based on their performance in these MBA entrance exams based on their marks. GMAT is conducted five times a year, and GRE is conducted three times a year in September, October, and April. Let’s check them out!

• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)- GMAT is one of the most well-approved and well-known management admission tests. It assesses students’ overall skills in  algebra, arithmetic, geometry, multi-data sources, and grammar. GMAT is divided into 4 sections:
  • Analytical Writing Assessment
  • Integrated Reasoning
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • Verbal Reasoning

Each university abroad has its own set of GMAT scores benchmark. Let’s check the average GMAT scores of some of the top-notch international universities:

University	Average GMAT Score
Stanford University	737
University of Yale	730
London Business School	780
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	722
Columbia University	722
Harvard University	729
Northwestern University	732
Said Business School, University of Oxford	690
University of Toronto	665

• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)- Many management graduate aspiring students are concerned whether to appear for GMAT or the GRE because they appear to be similar. The key difference between them is that the GMAT score is only required for graduate business degrees. The GRE, on the other hand, is required regardless of whichever graduate program the candidates choose.  GRE assess the candidate’s talents in the following areas:
  • Verbal reasoning
  • Analytical writing
  • Quantitative reasoning

List of top-notch Global Institutes accepting GRE for MBA admission:

• Harvard Business School
• Yale School of Management
• Cornell University
• The University of Manchester
• London Business School
• The University of Toronto
• University of Texas Austin

Final Thoughts!

Choose the Entrance Exams to Study Abroad that suit you the best. The Entrance exams you choose to Study Abroad should be based on the courses and country you choose. Ideally, you must take an Entrance Exam For Foreign Universities at least 6 months before you apply. The reason behind this is that in case you don’t qualify on the first attempt, you can again work on your strategy and reapply for the exam. Liked this blog! Please share it!

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