ALL ABOUT THE EXAMS TO STUDY ABROAD

 

If you are planning to study abroad, the admission process will require you to give one language exam and one standardized exam. However, depending on the country, course, college/university you are targeting, you may be exempt from standardized exams, but you would still be required to take one language exam to show English language proficiency skills. You may also be required to provide scores of one standardized test, depending on the course and university you plan to enter.

Here is an article about the exams to study abroad..

Language exams:

This shows your English proficiency and you need to give one of the language exams to get admission to any university in an English-speaking country. These are required for pursuing almost all courses - Postgraduate courses, Undergraduate courses, Certificates or Diplomas (unless mentioned). Few of the top English language exams which are used by prominent study abroad destinations are:

• IELTS: Preferred exam for getting admission to universities in Australia, UK, and New Zealand. Your IELTS Score is valid for 2 years.
• TOEFL: Preferred exam for universities in the Canada and US, while it is not accepted at many colleges in the UK. Your TOEFL scores are valid until 2 years. 
• PTE: It is accepted at a few colleges in the US and most colleges in the UK also. PTE Academic scores are valid for up to 2 years from the date of the exam.
• FCE, CAE, and CPE are given preference by British universities.

Standardized Entrance Exams for Foreign Universities:

Standardized Entrance Exam to study abroad for various courses can be different. Depending on the courses you opted for, you will be required to give only one standardized exam for abroad education. The following table shows you different course programs and their corresponding standardized test, and also preferred English language test. 

COURSE PROGRAMS	STANDARDIZED TEST
Under graduation	SAT or ACT
MBA	GMAT or GRE
MS	GRE
Medical	MCAT
Law	LSAT
Certificate and Diploma	-

 

   

And the preferred English language tests are 

• TOEFL for US, Canada
• CAE or CPE for the UK
• CELPIP for Canada
• IELTS or PTE for UK, Australia, New Zealand

 

About Scholarship:

The most popular entrance exam to study abroad is GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, and ACT. Excellent performance in these international competitive examinations can also get students financial aid in the form of scholarships. Many colleges and universities consider the performance of the student in these international entrance exams for giving scholarships at the time of giving admission.

What about Study Abroad after higher secondary education?

Students who have cleared their higher secondary i.e., after 12th have the option to give various entrance exams for studying abroad. SAT, ACT, GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS are some of the popular standardized tests which students can give for going to study abroad. Remember, the choice of exam always depends on the course, college, and country where you want to go.

There are various exams which students can give after class 10th. However, it is always a better idea to go for abroad studies after completion of your school education. But many colleges and universities demand that the aspirant must have completed 18 years of age and a guardian should accompany the student to take his/her care.

Well, here is a quick sneak peek of some popular exams :

The Test of English as a Foreign Language(TOEFL): It measures how well non-native speakers of English can analyze and understand English at the university level. A valid TOEFL score is required for admissions to many colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and many other countries.

International English Language Testing System(IELTS): It is an English language assessment test mainly used by those who want to study abroad. It is owned, developed, and organized through the partnership of the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. 

Pearson Test of English(PTE): Many things distinguish this exam from its close competitors – IELTS and TOEFL. The first and foremost distinguishing aspect is the scoring pattern and the results. As the tests are completely computerized, the results are declared much quicker, in 5 days. This makes it suitable for students who are in a bit of a rush. Another aspect of this test is that it focuses on day to day English rather than university-level English language.

These 3 are the main English language tests for students who wish to study abroad after graduation, study after 12th, or study after 10th in abroad. These exams are also used to test the English language proficiency of a non-native speaker who wishes to immigrate to an English-speaking country for work.

Please remember that there are 3 major factors which decide the exams you need to prepare, for studying abroad from India.

• Field of study
• College or University of study
• Chosen country

So confirm the admission details for the colleges you are targeting and check which exam you should be taking to be eligible for the admission process.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE): The Graduate Record Examination(GRE) is the general test that is used for admission into most graduate school programs. GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It tests verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning (math), and analytical writing (essay section). 

Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT): The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) exam is primarily used for admissions decisions by business school graduate programs. If you are planning to attend business school, you should take the GMAT. It consists of a 30-minute analytical writing assignment, 12 integrated reasoning questions (30 minutes), 37 quantitative questions (75 minutes), and 41 verbal questions (75 minutes). These questions are designed to measure the skills needed to succeed in business school.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT): The Law School Admission Test(LSAT) is specifically used for law school and has questions designed to test your ability to succeed in a law environment. The test is given by the Law School Admissions Council four times a year at designated locations all over the world. It includes multiple-choice questions that cover reading comprehension skills, analytical reasoning skills, logical reasoning skills, and an essay. 

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT): The Medical College Admission Test(MCAT) is designed specifically for those who plan to apply to medical school or other health professions school, including allopathic, osteopathic, podiatric, and veterinary medicine courses. This multiple-choice exam measures your skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and knowledge of science concepts and principles, in sections that include physical sciences, verbal reasoning, and biological sciences. 

Before registering for any of these tests, it is important to validate the need to complete the test with the schools you are considering. Entrance exams for master's degree programs are just one facet of your application; schools will also examine your transcripts, recommendations, and other factors when making an admissions decision.

Next,

Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT): It is a globally recognized college admission test mainly used to evaluate the written, verbal and mathematical skills of aspirants. Applicants to undergraduate courses, particularly in the US and Canada, are required to take the SAT. These exam scores are also accepted by several universities in the UK. Check the selection criteria of the university you are planning to enter before deciding to write the SAT exam.

American College Testing (ACT): It is a standardized test for college and university admissions for an undergraduate degree in the United States. The ACT assesses the college academic readiness of both native and international students. It has been developed to evaluate the written, mathematical, verbal, and scientific skills of the candidates.

Depending on which college you are planning to apply for admissions, you can either write SAT or ACT. Both these tests can be taken by students who wish to study abroad after 12th, especially study abroad in the US.

We will be covering the detailed every above-mentioned exam options very soon. Till then, keep learning and keep finding your best career path with THE AURORA QUEST.

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All about Indian Engineering Services (IES Exam)

 

IES (Indian Engineering Services) Exam is conducted by Union Public Services Commission usually in the month of June. Indian Engineering Services refers to the services that cater to the technical and managerial functions of the Government of India. The Union Government of India appoints IES officers based on the recommendations made by the Union Public Services Commission. Every year, lakhs of engineering graduates compete in this exam for a few hundred jobs which are associated with the public sector units including roads, railways, inspection, manufacturing, power, public works, and telecommunication.

Eligibility:

• A Bachelors degree in Engineering (equivalent B.E/B.Tech) from a recognized university. Engineering discipline to be chosen from the following only - Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering.
• An M.Sc degree or equivalent with Wireless Communications, Electronics, Radio Physics or Radio Engineering as special subjects are acceptable for certain job posts.
• While coming to age criteria, the candidate can be of any age between 21-30 years as on 1 January (for general candidates) of the year they are taking the exam. The upper limit is relaxed for certain sections of the candidates.

There are three stages to be considered to become IES officer: -.

1.Preliminary Exam:

The preliminary exam or Prelims is basically divided into two sections:

• General Ability (GA),
• Engineering Branch Section.

Exam Pattern is as follows:

Paper Number	Subject	No. of Questions	Total Marks	Total Duration (in hours)
Paper 1	General Studies and Engineering Aptitude	100	200	2
Paper 2	Engineering Stream Specific	150	300	3
Total		250	500	-

 After clearing the Prelims Exam, candidates are eligible to appear  for the Mains Exam.

2. Mains Exam:

Exam Pattern is as follows:

Paper 3	Conventional Mains Exam	300 Marks
Paper 4	Conventional Mains Exam	300 Marks
Total Marks		600 Marks

 After clearing the Mains Exam, candidates are eligible to appear  for the Personality Test.

 3. Interview (Personality Test):

The interview is more focused on the personality of the candidate, rather than the technical knowledge that candidate possesses. It is of 200 marks, and the overall selection of the candidate is done based on the aggregate of the marks obtained in the written exams and the interview as well.

let’s have an overview of the list of the organizations/departments under which the candidates are being recruited through IES Recruitment:

•  Border Roads Engineering Service
• Central Electrical and Mechanical Service
• Central Engineering Service for Roads
• Central Power Engineering Service
• Central Water Engineering
• Defence Service Engineering Corps
• Geological Survey of India
• Indian Army Engineering Service
• Indian Navy Armaments Service
• Indian Ordnance Factory
• Indian Railways Service
• Indian Supply Service
• Indian Telecommunication Service

IES/ESE Exam Group-A Services/Posts:

 The recruitment of qualified candidates is made under the following 4 main categories:

  1. Civil Engineering:

•  Indian Railway Service of Engineers
•  Indian Railway Stores Service (Civil Engineering Posts)
• Central Engineering Service
•  Central Engineering Service (Roads),  Group-A (Civil Engineering Posts)
•  Survey of India Group ‘A’ Service
• AEE (Civil) in Border Road Engineering Service
• Indian Defence Service of Engineers
• AEE (QS&C) in MES Surveyor Cadre
• Central Water Engineering (Group 'A') Service.
• Indian Skill Development Service.

2. Mechanical Engineering:

• Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers
• Indian Railway Stores Service (Mechanical Engineering Posts)
• AEE in GSI Engineering Service Gr ‘A’
• Indian Defence Service of Engineers.
• Indian Naval Armament Service (Mechanical Engineering Posts)
• Asstt. Naval Store Officer Grade-I (Mechanical Engineering Posts) in Indian Navy
• AEE (Elec & Mech) in Border Roads Engineering Service (Mechanical Engineering Posts).
• Central Water Engineering (Group 'A') Service.
• Central Power Engineering Service Gr 'A' (Mechanical Engineering Posts).
• Indian Skill Development Service.
• Central Power Engineering Service Gr 'B' (Mechanical Engineering Posts).

3. Electrical Engineering:

• Indian Railway Service of Electrical Engineers
• Indian Railway Stores Service (Electrical Engineering Posts)
• Central Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Service (Electrical Engineering Posts)
• Indian Defence Service of Engineers
• Asstt. Naval Store Officer Grade-I (Electrical Engineering Posts) in Indian Navy.
• Central Power Engineering Service Gr 'A' (Electrical Engineering Posts).
• Defence Aeronautical Quality Assurance Service/SSO-II (Electrical).
• Indian Skill Development Service.
• Central Power Engineering Service Gr 'B' (Electrical Engineering Posts).

 4. Electronics & Telecommunication:

• Engineering Indian Railway Service of Signal Engineers
• Indian Railway Stores Service (Telecommunication/Electronics Engineering Posts)
• Indian Radio Regulatory Service Gr ‘A’
• Indian Telecommunication Service Gr 'A'
• Indian Naval Armament Service (Electronics and Telecom Engineering Posts)
• Asstt. Naval Store Officer Grade-I(Electronics and Telecom Engg. Posts) in Indian Navy.
• Central Power Engineering Service Gr 'A' (Electronics & Telecom Engineeering Posts).
• Indian Skill Development Service.
• Junior Telecom Officer Gr ‘B’ .
• Central Power Engineering Service Gr 'B' (Electronics & Telecom Engineering posts).

IES Salary Details:

At initial stage, the IES In Hand salary was RS.42,000/-. But after the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission, the approximate IES Salary is Rs.55,135/-. The IES Salary and Pay Scale for different posts are tabulated as follows:

Level	Pay Scale	Grade Pay
Junior level	INR 15,600 – INR 39,100	INR 5400
Senior Scale	INR 15,600 – INR 39,100	INR 6600
Junior Administrative Grade	INR 15,600 – INR 39,100	INR 7600
Selection grade scale (Chief Engineer L2 / Jt. G M )	INR 37400 – INR 67000	INR 8700
Super time grade (Chief Engr. /Additional GM)	INR 37400 – INR 67000	INR 8700
Cabinet Secretary Grade	INR 90,000	N/A
Apex Pay Scale	INR 80,000	N/A

IES Salary at Entry Level:

The IES Entry-level salary will depend upon the candidate’s location where they are getting posted. The IES has divided cities into 3 classes and candidates will receive the salary according to the class of the city they are posted in. The three classes are listed below: 

•       Class A: Metropolis
•          Class B: Metropolis + Other Big Cities
•          Class C: Village + Small Cities

Component	Class A Cities	Class B Cities	Class C Cities
Basic Pay	15,600	15,600	15,600
Grade Pay	5,400	5,400	5,400
Net Basic Pay	21,000	21,000	21,000
Dearness Allowance (125% of Basic)	26,250	26,250	26,250
House Rent Allowance	6,300 (30% of Basic)	4,200 (20% of Basic)	2,100 (10% of Basic)
Transport Allowances ((15% of Basic + DA)	7,087	7,087	7,087
IES Gross Salary	60,637	58,537	56,437
IES Deductions (Approx.)	10,000	10,000	10,000
IES Salary in Hand	50,637	48,537	46,437

IES Salary Deductions:

According to the various government policies, some amount of salary will be deducted. The IES Salary deductions are listed as follows:

•  10% of gross pay is deducted for PF
•  The employees must pay Rs.325/- under Central Government Employees Group Insurance.
•  NPS Payment – 10% of Basic + Dearness Allowance
•  Income Tax Deductions.

IES Officer Allowances & Benefits:

The list of allowances and benefits enjoyed by an IES Officer is listed as follows:

• CGHS medical facility
• Dearness Allowance
• Domestic Servant
• Driver
• Gratuity
• Leave Encashment
• Leave Travel Allowance/ Tour Allowance
• Official Vehicle
• Peon
• Personal Assistant
• Provident Fund
• Residential Quarters or HRA

IES Salary Promotions:

• In the starting of their career after selection, they are designated as an Assistant Executive Engineer or Assistant Director.
• After the experience of 3 to 4 years, they are promoted to executive engineer, director or work manager. 
• In completion of 8 years of services, they become deputy general manager or joint director.
• Over 13 years of experience, they are able to get promoted to joint general manager or chief engineer of level 2.
• After 20 years of experience is enough to become a chief engineer or additional general manager.
• Providing 30 years of services to the government of India able them to be in the position of senior general manager or engineer-in-chief.
• The best performance of the IES officers with experience of 34 years leads them to become chairman or managing director of a governmental organisation.

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