List of Entrance Exams to Study Abroad: Apply Online Here

Each calendar year, millions of students migrate to various countries to complete their university degrees. While there are now many more options for students from diverse academic backgrounds and interests to study abroad, there are still some predetermined academic requirements that must be satisfied to be admitted to a university or college abroad. By passing competitive exams for study abroad, these goals can be attained by international students. 

The most widely recognised and accepted international exams to study abroad are the TOEFL, IELTS Academic, GMAT, GRE, ACT, SAT, DET, PTE Academic, LSAT, MCAT, USMLE, etc. These are necessary for enrollment at universities and colleges in several countries throughout the world. 

You will need to take one language exam as well as one standardised exam each as part of the admissions process if you intend to pursue a higher academic programme overseas. However, you might not be mandatorily needed to submit standardised exams depending on the nation, course, institution, or university you are aiming for. However, you would still need to pass one language exam to demonstrate your English proficiency level and ability to communicate in a diverse setting. 

Simply put, there may occasionally be a need for an integration of one or more of these assessments or tests along with other exams particular to that nation and its educational system. You might also need to submit the results of one standardised test, depending on the subject and the institution or university. Your likelihood to receive scholarships alongside additional sorts of financial aid depends on how well you perform in the competitive entrance exams for foreign universities.

Your quest has come to an end if you wish to continue further your education overseas but are unsure of the procedures to take to enrol in your preferred college or the examinations you must take to do so. Continue reading!

List of Entrance Exams to Study Abroad

As discussed, entrance exams for study abroad are standardised tests that are used to assess a student's academic aptitude and English language proficiency levels to decide if they are eligible for admission to a specific school or programme. These tests are especially crucial for students who want to study abroad because they might need to show that they are proficient in an alternate language such as English and have an understanding of something in particular.

To earn an impressive score on these tests, which are typically administered by the college or university or a third-party organisation, aggressive preparation and regular study may be necessary. The following table highlights a list of entrance exams to study abroad that international students must clear to attend an institution abroad:

Abroad Entrance Exams Highlights

Foreign university entrance exams are notoriously subjective. The key determinants of the tests you must take are your course or programme, your institution, and the nation in which your college is located. You must abide by the strict eligibility requirements set forth by your university and take the necessary assessments even if you are unsure of what they are. The following is a discussion of the list of entrance exams to study abroad specified according to their sectional scores, exam patterns, modes of conduct, total number of questions, allocated time, and so on.

Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

GRE is possibly one of the most popular entrance exams conducted in online mode in India for admission to masters courses in universities abroad. The exam comprises two Quantitative Analysis sections, two Verbal Reasoning sections, both scored on a scale of 130 to 170 and a section of Analytical Writing that is scored on a scale of 0 to 6. The exam is a basic requirement in order to apply for almost all grad schools abroad.

GRE Scores:

GRE Exam Pattern:

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

Candidates seeking admission to MBA programmes offered by universities abroad have to appear for the GMAT exam. It is a computer adaptive test and comprises four sections including GMAT Integrated Reasoning, analytical writing assessment, verbal reasoning, and GMAT Qualitative Reasoning. The total score on the GMAT range from 200 to 800.

GMAT Exam Pattern:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

IELTS is a test designed to test the English ability of students applying to universities abroad. The test is available in dual formats of IELTS Academic and IELTS General. The exam comprises four sections, namely, Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. All four sections are evaluated on a 9-point scale and the final score is the average of scores in all four sections. The test scores are globally accepted.

IELTS Exam Highlights:

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

This test is also conducted to check the level of English aptitude of students seeking admission to universities abroad. Like IELTS, there are four sections in this exam i.e. Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. Each section is 30 marks and the total score is 120 to form the cumulative total of the students. TOEFL scores are accepted mostly by US Universities, however, some other countries also accept the score, to view the complete list check ETS official website. TOEFL and IELTS exams are often compared and considered equally effective.

TOEFL Exam Highlights:

Duolingo English Test (DET)

The Duolingo English Test is another popular English language proficiency test, accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide. The test can be taken anywhere with no requirement to travel to a test centre or appointment booking. While most certification tests cost more than USD 200, DET provides scores and interview results for only USD 49.

DET Exam Highlights:

Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)

Universities in the US accept this test for admission to undergraduate courses. The test comprises Writing Analysis, Quantitative Analysis and Verbal Ability sections. The total score of the exam is 1600 (i.e. 800 for verbal and quants each) and writing analysis is evaluated on a 12-point score. A good SAT score is quite helpful in pushing the chances of acceptance.

SAT Exam Highlights:

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The LSAT exam is a requirement for candidates seeking admission to law courses in the USA. The exam comprises two sections of logical reasoning, and one section each of analytical reasoning and reading comprehension. The score of the LSAT is evaluated between a range of 420-480. The exam also comprises two unscored sections i.e. the variable section and the writing section.

LSAT Exam Highlights:

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Candidates seeking admission to medical courses offered by universities in the US have to appear for MCAT in order to apply. The exam comprises four sections including Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems (59 questions), Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (53 questions), Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems (59 questions) and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (59 questions). The total seating time of the exam is 7 hours, 33 minutes approximately.

MCAT Exam Highlights:

ACT

ACT is a subject test that is mandatory for all students who seek admission to undergraduate courses offered by US universities. It is conducted for Mathematics, English and Science. The exam comprises a total of 215 sections. The exam pattern varies according to the subject that you intend to take in the ACT.

ACT Exam Highlights:

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

PTE test was designed on similar lines to TOEFL and IELTS. The exam tests the aptitude of students in English on the basis of their reading, speaking, listening and writing skills. Each section comprises of a different set of questions based on images, audio and text to test the English proficiency of applicants.

PTE Exam Highlights:

United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)

This is an eight-hour-long exam comprising 310 multiple-choice questions conducted for admission to medical courses offered by universities abroad. The exam is conducted for eight medical disciplines including Anatomy, Physiology, Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Pathology, Microbiology, Biostatistics and Epidemiology. It also comprises five inter-disciplines including Genetics, Immunology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Aging and Nutrition.

If you are targeting universities abroad in order to pursue undergraduate or graduate programmes, you must check the exam requirement of the universities. Universities in different countries ask for different requirements, therefore it is important to check the official website of the university before applying for either of the international entrance exams mentioned above.

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What Entrance Exam for Foreign Universities Should You Take?

The entrance exams for foreign universities for every course can be different, depending on the course's field of study or the overall level of study as well. You will only need to take one necessary standardised admission exam for study abroad, depending on the courses you choose. The GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE are the most essential exams to take for studying abroad. To be admitted to colleges and universities around the world, you must pass one or more of these tests. The following pointers exemplify which entrance exam for foreign universities you should take:

• Assessments of aptitude include the first three exams listed above, the GMAT, GRE, and SAT. The other three, TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE, are English language competence exams. You must typically pass at least one language test and one aptitude test as part of the application procedure for study abroad.

• You might not be needed to take any aptitude tests at all, depending on your preferred programme of study, nation, and university you want to enrol. However, you must complete one language test to validate your command of the English language. Sometimes, you can even be required to pass an assortment of one or more of these tests in tandem with others that are distinctive to the country that you want to migrate to.

• Nearly all educational institutions abroad demand you to pass a language test instead of the aforementioned English proficiency tests because the languages in your home country and the nation to which you have to relocate to are different.

Exams for Abroad Studies After 12th

You must be enrolled in undergraduate studies if you recently received your diploma and have passed the 12th standard. The assessments you must take to study abroad will vary depending on the nation, programme, and course you select, as already stated. 

The SAT, ACT, IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, and MCAT are the most common standardised tests and English language proficiency exams required by institutions abroad. These tests should be taken, just as you would for a foreign studies entrance exam. These tests will evaluate your writing, reading, speaking, and communication skills as well as your scientific, mathematical, and analytical competencies. They will also determine how well-versed you are in English. For Indian students who are looking for exams for abroad studies after 12th and similarly, those who wish to enrol in any colleges or scholarship programmes overseas, these tests are compulsorily required.

Exams for Study Abroad with Scholarship

The GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, and ACT are the most prevalent and essential entrance exams for study abroad. Individuals who perform well on this list of international competitive tests may potentially be eligible for scholarships. When awarding scholarships to applicants at the time of admission, many colleges and institutions take into account the applicant's performance in these international entrance exams for study abroad.

Application Procedure for Exams to Study Abroad

You should be completely knowledgeable about the entrance exams to study abroad for Indian students and its application process. You will need to provide a few documents to the college or university to which you are applying to prove your eligibility for the programme of study. The following is a step-by-step guide to the application procedure for abroad entrance exams:

Step 1: Select a course or programme. 

Step 2: Decide on a school that provides the academic programme you want.

Step 3: Visit the university's official website and carefully read the eligibility requirements. 

Step 4: Keep in mind that the college demands both English language proficiency tests as well as other standardised tests.  

Step 5: Check the test dates of the upcoming entrance exam for study abroad being held in your vicinity by visiting the administering authority's official website for the exam. 

Step 6: Take note of the minimum score needed to pass the assessment. 

Step 7: Since certain standardised entry examinations are costly, carefully consider your expenditure plan. 

Step 8: Start your exam prep well in advance. 

Step 9: Register for your exam using an online application platform. 

Step 10: Keep an eye out for the test result. If you did well, you can now begin the college admissions process. You may retake the assessment if your first attempt did not yield satisfactory results.

Exams for Foreign Studies and Their Acceptance at Top Universities

These are typically two distinctive exams; if you want to apply to US institutions, you should take the TOEFL rather than the IELTS since certain universities in USA do not recognise it. Given that the British immigration system is unlikely to accept TOEFL as evidence of English language competency, UK universities tend to rely on IELTS scores. 

When it comes to accepting standardised exams, there are several kinds of institutions and each one has its separate criteria rigidly set for different programmes of study. For example, at some highly regarded institutes abroad, the SAT exam is required in addition to the TOEFL and IELTS exams. Other prestigious universities require GMAT and GRE scores as well as TOEFL and IELTS assessments. Further, university pathway programmes that do not require exams for study abroad are also available for international students.

Even though it is more difficult to get accepted to prestigious schools like Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, and Stanford University, you get access to plenty of financial assistance. It is simpler to be accepted but there is less financial help available if you are seeking a university without an entrance exam. Four tests are required for admission to a prestigious university like MIT. Because there are so many elements to take care of, start studying for such entrance exams for foreign universities at least two or three years before you apply.

Institutions abroad reward students who perform exceptionally well on entrance exams for study abroad, primarily the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, IELTS, and TOEFL. Your university will give you monetary assistance if you exhibit excellence in such exams. Undoubtedly, particular scholarship programmes are only available to certain colleges and programmes. Yet, numerous colleges will take into account how well you did on your exams to study abroad and award you scholarships accordingly.

The list of entrance exams for foreign universities is long. If you have trouble finding which exam will accurately reflect your strengths and aptitude, reach out to us at abroad@collegdekho.com. to make an informed decision!