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Exams to Study Abroad: Know About Entrance Exam for Abroad Studies

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Fiona
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Who doesn't want to study in foreign nations at the best universities and get elite exposure and recognition? Prepare yourself better by planning early and bring your dreams to reality! If you want to pursue further studies in a foreign country and you find yourself confused about what steps to follow to study in your dream college and what exams to give to study abroad, this is where your search ends.

  Table of Contents:

  1. List of Exams to Study Abroad
  2. Exams to Study Abroad for Different Countries
  3. Exams to Study abroad after 12th
  4. Application Procedure for Exams to Study Abroad

List of Exams to Study Abroad 

There is a simple and uncomplicated procedure to apply to international universities. The first step in the admission procedure is to give the appropriate exam to prove your eligibility for a college before you apply to it for  abroad studies. You must take at least one English language proficiency test and one standardized exam. Here is a list of the most commonly given exams to get admission in foreign universities given by students around the globe:

  1. TOEFL (The Test of English as a Foreign Language): TOEFL is a premier test of academic qualification and English communication for students from countries that don't have English as their native language. The average test score for TOEFL is 75-80 to be accepted into a university. However, some universities demand a score of 100 and above. Its scores are valid for two years and will get you accepted by US and Canadian universities
  2. IELTS (International English Language Testing Examination): IELTS is another English Language Proficiency test similar to TOEFL. Its results are reported in band scores. 1.0 is the lowest score, and 9.0 is the highest score. There is a band score for each section of the test, i.e., Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. You at least need to score an average overall band score of 6.5 to be accepted. Since it is an exam organized by the British Council, it is the preferred exam in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. 
  3. PTE (Pearson Test of English): This Test is accepted by Australian, UK, and New Zealand universities. The main factor that distinguishes it from IELTS and TOEFL is that it is a computer-based exam that allows stress-free and last-minute booking. Moreover, it declares your test results in 48 hours. A minimum score of 55-60 is enough to be accepted by a university. 
  4. SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test): The SAT is widely taken by High School junior and senior students. It is 3 hours long written exam designed to measure students' English and Mathematical skills. A perfect SAT score is 1600, and 1000 and above is considered a good SAT score. Getting good SAT scores will give you admission to almost any college based in the United States. 
  5. ACT (American College Testing): The ACT exam tests your mathematics, science, and English excellence. The best part is that it is based on the high school curriculum that you are already versed in. The minimum ACT score required is 16-17, and this test is taken by students who want to study abroad after the 12th. 
  6. GRE (Graduate Record Examinations):  If you want to pursue further studies in the business and management niche, you must take the GRE. It is designed to test your mathematical and analytical skills and is accepted in US colleges. Anything above a 260 GRE score will grant you admission into a college. 
  7. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test): You must take the GMAT to be accepted into business and management schools. It aims to assess your analytical, reading, and writing skills in English. The main eligibility criteria to take this test is that you need to be 18 years of age or above. The GMAT score range in top business schools is 550+.
  8. MCAT (Medical College Admission Test): MCAT is a multiple choice-based examination. MCAT scores are required to pursue a course in medicine in the USA, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean Islands. It is designed to test your physical science, biological science, and verbal reasoning skills. If you score at or above the 65th percentile (506+), you will pass the MCAT. 

Exams to Study Abroad for Different Countries

The entrance exam for foreign universities are very subjective. The significant factors that decide the exams you need to take are your course or program, your college, and the country your college is based in. If you do not know what are the exams to study abroad, you must adhere to your university's distinguished eligibility criteria and take the required exams. 

Below is a list of the exams to be given to study abroad, arranged in a table with their respective course and country: 


Name of Program/ Course

Standardized Test

Preferred English Language Proficiency Test 

Country for English Language Proficiency Test Respectively

Undergraduate

SAT or ACT

TOEFL

IELTS or PTE

US, CANADA

UK, Australia, New Zealand

Post Graduate

GMAT, GRE, LSAT

TOEFL

IELTS or PTE

US, CANADA

UK, Australia, New Zealand

Diploma

-

TOEFL

IELTS or PTE

US, CANADA

UK, Australia, New Zealand

MBA

GMAT or GRE

TOEFL

IELTS or PTE

US, CANADA

UK, Australia, New Zealand

MS

GRE

TOEFL

IELTS or PTE

US, CANADA

UK, Australia, New Zealand

Medical

MCAT

TOEFL

IELTS or PTE

US, CANADA

UK, Australia, New Zealand

Law

LSAT

TOEFL

IELTS or PTE

US, CANADA

UK, Australia, New Zealand

Exams to Study Abroad after 12th

If you just graduated from your school and have completed the 12th standard, you must be pursuing an undergraduate degree. As we earlier established, the exams to take to study abroad will depend on the country, course, and program you choose.  

However, every college will require a standardized test and an English Language Proficiency test, mainly SAT, ACT, IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, and MCAT. Taking these exams is as important as taking an entrance exam for foreign study. These exams will assess your mathematical, scientific, and analytical skills and check how well versed you are in English by evaluating your reading, writing, verbal and communication skills. They are compulsory exams for indian students to study abroad for all colleges and scholarship programs.

Suggested Read: Guide to study in Canada after 12th

Application Procedure for Exams to Study Abroad

  1. Choose a program or course. 
  2. Choose a university that offers your chosen program.
  3. Go to the official website of that university and read the eligibility criteria thoroughly. 
  4. Note the English Language Proficiency test (IELTS, TOEFL, SAT) and other standardized exams (GRE, GMAT, MCAT) the college requires. 
  5. Go to the test's official website and check the dates of the following examination being conducted in your nearest location. 
  6. Note the minimum score required to qualify for the exam. 
  7. Plan your budget carefully. Some entrance exams are expensive. 
  8. Start preparing for your exam. 
  9. Use an online application platform to register for your exam. 
  10.  Wait for the results. If you scored well, Congratulations! You can start your college admission procedure now. If you did not get satisfactory results, retake the exam. 

Universities recognize excellent performance in entrance exam for abroad studies to get admission in foreign universities, mainly SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, IELTS, and TOEFL. If you present an outstanding performance in the exams required to study abroad, your university will grant leverage from your financial burden. Of course, there are separate scholarship programs applicable to specific colleges and programs only. You must apply to those programs since studying abroad as an international student is expensive. However, many universities will consider your performance in study abroad exams and grant you financial aid based on how well you performed.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Study Abroad Exams

Are study abroad exams too hard?

Is it necessary to be well versed in English? 

Who is eligible to study abroad?

When can I start applying for Study abroad programs?

How long do study programs take?

How do I get financial aid to study abroad? 

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