List of Exams Required to Study in the USA in 2026

If you are planning to study in the USA, you need to take one or more standardised tests depending on your degree level, programme, and university requirements. Undergraduate applicants often take the SAT or ACT, while graduate and professional programmes may require the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT. If your previous education was not in English, you will also need to submit an English language proficiency test. Use this guide to understand which exam is right for your study plans. 

US universities use entrance tests to evaluate applicants from different countries, school systems, grading scales, and academic backgrounds on a common benchmark. A 90% score in one country may not represent the same academic level as a 90% score elsewhere, but a GRE or GMAT score is assessed using the same standard worldwide. These tests also help universities determine whether you have the analytical, quantitative, verbal, or subject-specific skills required to succeed in your chosen programme.

Most US universities are test-optional for undergraduate admission and do not require SAT or ACT scores. Six of the eight Ivy League universities (Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell and the University of Pennsylvania) have reinstated SAT or ACT requirements for the 2026-27 admissions cycle.

For undergraduate admission, most US universities accept either the SAT or the ACT. Both tests assess your readiness for college-level academics by evaluating skills in mathematics, reading, writing, and reasoning. Since universities treat both exams equally, you should choose the test that best matches your strengths, preferred question style, and testing format 

SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)

The SAT is a fully digital, adaptive test administered by the College Board that measures your readiness for undergraduate coursework in Reading, Writing, and Math. It is conducted on the Bluebook app and scored on a 400-1600 scale.

ACT (American College Testing)

The ACT is a standardised entrance exam designed for students applying to undergraduate programmes in the United States. It measures the knowledge and skills you develop during high school and helps universities assess your readiness for college-level study. The ACT uses a scoring scale of 1 to 36, with no negative marking.

The standardised test you need for graduate admission depends on your programme rather than your degree level. Most business schools require the GMAT or GRE, while master's and PhD programmes in other disciplines typically accept or require the GRE. If you are applying to law school, you will need the LSAT, whereas medical schools require the MCAT.

GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

The GRE General Test is one of the most widely accepted tests for admission to master's, MBA, and PhD programmes in the USA. For certain specialised PhD programmes, particularly in science and mathematics, some universities may also require a GRE Subject Test in the relevant discipline.

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

The GMAT is primarily required for admission to MBA and other business-related master's programmes in the USA. Many leading business schools accept GMAT scores, although an increasing number also accept the GRE as an alternative.

LSAT (Law School Admission Test)

The LSAT is the entrance exam for admission to Juris Doctor (JD) programmes at law schools in the United States. Most ABA-accredited law schools accept the LSAT, making it the primary admissions test for aspiring lawyers. 

MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)

The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is the standardised entrance exam for admission to medical schools in the United States. Most MD programmes and many DO programmes require the MCAT as a key component of the admissions process. 

If your previous education was not entirely in English, you must submit an English language proficiency test score in addition to any required entrance test for the USA. Most US universities accept exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or Duolingo English Test

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 

The IELTS is one of the most widely accepted English language proficiency tests for admission to US universities. Most universities accept IELTS Academic scores for both undergraduate and postgraduate admissions, although minimum score requirements vary by programme.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

The TOEFL iBT is designed to measure how well you can use English in an academic environment. It is accepted by over 6,000 US universities and programs. The current test uses a shorter, adaptive format and is scored on a scale of 1-6 (0-120 on the old scale).

PTE (Pearson Test of English)

The PTE Academic is a computer-based English language proficiency test accepted by thousands of universities worldwide, including many in the USA. It uses AI-based scoring to assess your skills through integrated tasks that mirror real academic situations. The exam delivers results quickly, often within 48 hours, making it a popular choice if you need fast score reporting for US university applications.

Duolingo English Test (DET)

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an online English proficiency exam that you can take from home using a computer with a webcam. It uses adaptive testing, where question difficulty changes based on your performance, allowing the exam to be completed in about an hour. Many US universities now accept DET scores, making it a convenient and cost-effective alternative to IELTS and TOEFL for eligible programmes. 

If you are applying to specialised programmes in the US such as dentistry or optometry, you may also need to take programme-specific entrance exams in addition to the standard admission tests. 

DAT (Dental Admission Test)

The Dental Admission Test (DAT) is the entrance exam for all 78 accredited dental schools in the United States. It is used to determine your readiness for a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) programme.

OAT (Optometry Admission Test)

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information. It is used to determine your readiness for a Doctor of Optometry (OD) programme.

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams are subject-specific assessments offered by the College Board that allow high school students to demonstrate college-level knowledge before starting university. While AP scores are not mandatory for admission to most US universities, strong performance can strengthen your application, showcase academic rigour, and may earn you college credit or advanced placement after enrolment.

The cost of standardised tests is USA varies depending on the exam and whether you choose additional services such as sending extra score reports to universities. Here's a comparison of the latest application fees for the major exams required for studying in the USA. 

The right exam depends on the programme you plan to study in the US and your target universities. Use this guide to identify the tests you should prioritise.

• You are applying to a bachelor's degree at a mid-tier or state university: Check the admission policy of every university on your shortlist before registering for the SAT or ACT. Many universities are test-optional, but if you are also applying to selective private institutions, submitting scores can strengthen your application.
• You are applying to a bachelor's degree at an Ivy League or equally selective university: Plan to take the SAT or ACT. Many top US universities have reinstated entrance test requirements, making strong scores increasingly important for competitive admissions.
• You are applying to an MBA: Choose the GMAT if you are focused only on MBA programmes. Choose the GRE if you also want the flexibility to apply for MS in Management or other graduate business degrees.
• You are applying to an MS in engineering, science, or another non-business master's programme: The GRE is the most widely accepted entrance exam. However, confirm whether your target programme has adopted a GRE-optional policy before registering.
• You are applying to law school or medical school: Take the LSAT for law school admissions and the MCAT for medical school admissions. There is no alternative to these required entrance exams. 
• Your previous education was not conducted in English: Choose IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or the Duolingo English Test (DET) based on your target universities' accepted tests, preferred exam format, and result timeline.

Spending time on unnecessary exams can delay your application to US universities and increase your overall costs without improving your admission chances. Shortlist your programme, university, and career goals to determine which tests are actually worth your time and money. 

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