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.