Exams like IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, and GMAT are a gateway to the best universities in the world. As an aspiring international student, you should know that there are some exams to study abroad that are the first step to getting admission to your dream university and we are covering all of them in this blog. So, keep reading!
List of Exams to Study Abroad for Indian Students
To study abroad, international students are required to appear for a bunch of exams. Here are some common international entrance exams to help you get to your dream university.
- Duolingo English Test
- PTE
- GMAT
- GRE
- MCAT
- LSAT
Let’s understand them better!
| Exam | About | Purpose | Country |
| SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) | Applicants who wish to pursue undergraduate courses, especially in Canada & US are obliged to take the SAT exam. | Admissions to undergraduate courses | USA and Canada |
| ACT (American College Testing) | Applicants who wish to pursue undergraduate courses, especially in Canada & US. | Admissions to undergraduate courses | USA and Canada |
| IELTS (International English Language Testing System) | To assess your English language skills and proficiency. | Admissions to undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses and for visa applications | Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Ireland, Germany, Netherlands & more! |
| TOEFL (The Test of English as a Foreign Language) | To assess your English language skills and proficiency. | Admissions to host of academic courses across the globe. | UK and most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, many Asian countries, the US and Canada |
| Duolingo English Test | To assess your English language skills and proficiency. | Over 5,500 schools in the US, UK, & Canada accept the DET. | USA, UK, Canada |
| PTE (Pearson Test of English) | To assess your English language skills and proficiency. | Used for university applications in English-speaking countries | Universities in Australia, New Zealand, UK, Canada and over the US |
| GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) | An exam to assess your skills for top graduate business programs | It is used for admissions to MBA courses and affiliated graduate programs. | 115 countries such as USA, Canada, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Singapore, India, etc |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | It is a standardized test to assess an applicant’s analytical abilities. | Admissions to various courses at graduate schools in the United States and Canada | USA and Canada |
| MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) | It is a standardized exam required to get into a medical school abroad. | For admissions to United States medical schools and most Canadian medical schools | United States, Australia, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands. |
| LSAT (Law School Admission Test) | A test for aspiring law students across the globe. | It is used for law school admission in the United States, Canada, and a growing number of other countries. | USA, Canada, and Australia |
English Proficiency Exams for Studying Abroad
IELTS and TOEFL are two of the most widely recognized English language proficiency tests in India for studying abroad. They are essential for students seeking higher education to English-speaking countries and English-based universities across the globe. Let’s delve deeper into these exams.
IELTS
- IELTS assesses your English language skills in four areas: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
- It is accepted by over 14,000 organizations worldwide, including universities, employers, and immigration bodies.
- There are two types of IELTS:
- Academic: For those seeking higher education or professional registration.
- General Training: For work or immigration purposes.
- It is accepted widely in countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, Germany, Netherlands, and many other countries.
- Most universities in English-speaking countries, including the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the USA.
TOEFL
- TOEFL assesses your ability to use and understand English in an academic setting.
- It is accepted by over 11,000 universities and institutions worldwide.
- It is widely used in countries like USA, Canada, and many other countries.
- Many universities in the USA, especially Ivy League schools.
How to Prepare for IELTS and TOEFL?
- Familiarize yourself with the test format, question types, and time limits.
- Practice with official practice materials, old test papers and take mock tests.
- Read English books, newspapers, and magazines. You can also watch English movies and TV shows.
- Practice speaking with native English speakers or language exchange partners.
Standardized Tests for Undergraduate and Graduate Programs
The SAT and ACT are standardized tests commonly used for undergraduate admissions in the United States. They assess a student’s readiness for college-level work in areas like English, reading, writing, and mathematics. While the SAT emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills, the ACT focuses on knowledge and application of high school curriculum.
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) and GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) are graduate-level exams.
- The GRE is widely accepted by programs in various fields like engineering, sciences, humanities, and social sciences.
- The GMAT, on the other hand, is specifically designed for business and management programs, such as MBA programs.
Both exams evaluate verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills, but the GMAT also includes a section on integrated reasoning, which assesses the ability to analyze data presented in multiple formats.
Must Read: Ivy League Guide for Indian Students
Country-Specific Exams for Studying Abroad
Some countries require their own specific language exams for entry such as:
- France: DELF (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) or TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français)
- China: HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi)
- Germany: TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache) or DSH (Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Hochschulen)
- Spain: DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera)
- Italy: CILS (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera)
- Japan: JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test)
- Korea: TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean)
- Russia: TORFL (Test of Russian as a Foreign Language)
- Arabic-speaking countries: ALPT (Arabic Language Proficiency Test)
- Netherlands: NT2 (Nederlands als Tweede Taal)
- Portugal: CIPLE (Certificado de Língua Portuguesa como Língua Estrangeira)
- Sweden: TISUS (Test i Svenska för Universitets- och Högskolestudier)
- Norway: Norskprøve
- Denmark: DTK (Dansk Test for Korteuddannede)
- Finland: YKI (Yleinen kielitaito)
Here are some course and country specific exams for Indian students:
- BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test): Required for admission to certain medical schools in the UK.
- UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test): Required for admission to certain medical schools in the UK.
- LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test): Required for admission to certain law schools in the UK.
- GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical School Admission Test): Required for admission to medical schools in Australia.
How to Choose the Right Exam for Your Study Abroad Goals?
The best way to choose the right exam for your study abroad goals is to decide on your course. Once your course is sorted, list down all the colleges and countries you wish to study in and read up about their requirements. Most universities list out all the entrance exams you need to appear for in their eligibility criteria. This is the best way to decide the right exam for your studying abroad plans.
Preparing for Exams to Study Abroad
If you are preparing for entrance exams, then here are some tips:
- Look up old exam papers and prepare with those.
- Try out the free online resources and buy the recommended books to prepare for the papers.
- Practice as much as you can to ace different sections of the exam
- Focus on the sections you are good at and ace them so you can improve your score.
Exam Registration and Scheduling Tips
The exam registration and deadlines are extremely important and here are some ways to keep up with them:
- Your best friend is the test website that displays all the deadlines, registration, fees information and all the online resources to help you stay on schedule.
- Starting early is a great choice. Some exams like IELTS and TOEFL are available throughout the year and the chances of missing your ideal slot are real. So, plan ahead, register on time to ensure your exam deadline is not colliding with your college application deadlines.
Maximizing Your Exam Scores for a Successful Application
A good score on an exam to study abroad can make or break your college application. Entrance exams are mandatory and an important part of your college application. Take them seriously. Try to get the required scores from your college and ensure that you are not losing out on your dream university due to low scores!
Universities in the USA that went test-blind are reinstating entrance exams to help them assess the best candidates for their courses. Exams to study abroad programs are an essential part of the process that is here to stay.
Conclusion: Taking the First Step Toward Your Study Abroad Journey
The best way to get the best score on your entrance exams to study abroad is to practice. Practice can improve your scores and help you get into your dream university in no time. Need help with funding? Get in touch with the best loan experts in town!
