Study Abroad Scholarships and Exams: Complete Guide

The aspiration to study abroad and explore career-boosting opportunities in foreign countries is a dream that many students harbor. Access to international lifestyle, work-life balance, and well-paying jobs persuade scholars to prepare for study abroad exams to crack admissions in foreign universities, get scholarships and fellowships, and end up with secure employment opportunities with a competitive package. However, swotting guides and previous test papers one night before exams is not a solution. Thorough preparation is a must. Let’s learn about the exams one needs to take to study abroad. 

• Students can access top-notch education and acquire a priceless international experience by studying abroad. Nonetheless, the cost of an education abroad can be extremely high. 
• Many students try to overcome this difficulty by applying for scholarships, which frequently involve taking standardized tests to gauge their academic aptitude.
• Study abroad exams like the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, IELTS, and TOEFL, are important in adjudging eligibility for scholarships in addition to being used as admission criteria by universities. 
• The main tests that can improve a student’s chances of receiving financial aid for their study abroad studies are examined in this article.

Study Abroad Scholarships And Exams

For students who are willing to study abroad with scholarships, several standardized exams play a crucial role in your application process. These exams are essential in assessing your various skills and competencies for academic success in an international educational ecosystem.. Let’s learn about these Study Abroad Exams in this blog.

IELTS

As many of you would know, IELTS is a widely recognized English proficiency exam for non-native speakers applying to study abroad.

• Communication skills in reading
• Communication skills in speaking
• Communication skills in listening 
• Communication skills in writing

The scores range from 0 to 9. Generally, an average score of 6 is acceptable for many institutions worldwide.

IELTS Exam Syllabus

• The IELTS exam syllabus is structured into four main sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, each designed to evaluate different aspects of English language proficiency.
• The IELTS syllabus varies for both the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training formats. Candidates should be well informed that both versions of the IELTS are instrumental in providing an accurate assessment of a candidate’s listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills.

TOEFL

TOEFL is another key English proficiency test, taken by students who are willing to study abroad in English-speaking countries.

It comprises of the following sections:

• Reading 
• Writing 
• Speaking 
• Listening

The total score ranges from 0 to 120. A score of 90 is termed to be an average score.

TOEFL Exam Syllabus

• The TOEFL exam syllabus is designed to evaluate the English language proficiency of non-native speakers through four main sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
• It examines whether the candidates are eligible to live, work, and study in an English-speaking country. To qualify for this exam, students get two and a half hours. Candidates can divide the test time into different sections for time management.

GRE

The GRE(Graduate Record Examination) is an exam that is commonly required for many graduate programs, particularly for universities in the United States.

The test analyzes an applicant in the following aspects:

• Analytical writing
• Verbal reasoning 
• Quantitative reasoning

The score ranges from 130 to 170. A score of 160 is termed as an average score.

GRE Exam Syllabus

• The GRE exam syllabus is structured into three main sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.
• The Analytical Writing section always comes first, and the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections can come in any order after that. Test takers are given 1 hour and 58 minutes to complete all three GRE test sections.

GMAT

For students aspiring to study MBA abroad. The GMAT is an essential study abroad exam for them to get into universities. It assesses the exam takers in the following aspects:

• Analytical writing
• Quantitative reasoning 
• Reading comprehension
• Critical thinking skills

GMAT Exam Syllabus

• The GMAT exam syllabus consists of four main sections designed to evaluate various skills essential for business school candidates: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning.
• The updated GMAT is a 2-hour and 15-minute exam, featuring an optional 10-minute break between any two sections. The students taking the exam have to score on a scale ranging from 205 to 805, which consists of three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and the new Data Insights section.

SAT

The SAT is primarily used for undergraduate admissions in the United States.

It assesses:

• Mathematics skills
• Reading skills 
• Writing skills

It is graded on a scale of 400 to 1600.

SAT Exam Syllabus

• The SAT exam syllabus has undergone significant changes, under which it is not compulsory to attempt the test in a center. Applicants can also attempt the test remotely. It consists of three main sections: Reading and Writing and Mathematics. Applicants should score independently on a scale of 200 to 800 in all the three sections.
• The digital SAT paper features multiple-choice questions and some math problems requiring well-sketched answers instead of multiple-choice questions.

Also Read: Scholarships for international students 2024

Scholarships Offered to Study Abroad

There are numerous scholarships available for students looking to study abroad, targeting various backgrounds, fields of study, and specific needs. The scholarship fees for Study abroad can significantly remove the financial burden associated with studying internationally.

Types of Scholarships for studying abroad can be categorized into several types:

1. Government scholarships

Government scholarships are often fully funded for international students. Some of the notable examples include:

• Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship: It is a fully funded PhD program valued at 50.000 per year for three years during Doctoral studies.
• German DAAD Scholarships: Provides a monthly stipend of 934 euros for master’s degree candidates and 1,300 euros for PhD and doctoral candidates.

2. University-Specific Scholarships

Many universities sponsor international students through their university-specific scholarships; some of them are:

• Syracuse University Named Scholarships: These are designed for undergraduate students who are interested in study-abroad programs.
• Boren Scholarships: These are designed for students studying critical language abroad, providing up to 25,000.

3. Specific Scholarships Programs

Several noteworthy scholarship programs include the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which offers up to 5,000 semesters for U.S. students receiving federal Pell Grants.

Also Read: Scholarships for Indian students pursuing education abroad!

Summary

This blog explores the various standardized study abroad exams necessary for studying abroad with scholarships, including IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, and SAT. It details out each exam’s structure, scoring, and significance in the application process. Additionally, it highlights various types of scholarships available, such as government-funded, university-specific, and program-specific scholarships, which help alleviate the financial burden of international education for eligible students.

FAQs

1. Is the IELTS exam abstruse?

The difficulty of the IELTS exam can vary significantly from one candidate to another, it largely depends on their English proficiency and preparation. Generally, the exam is perceived to have a moderate level of difficulty, with some selections being more challenging than others. 

2. Can I get admission in the US without taking the SAT?

Yes, it is indeed possible to gain admission to US universities without taking the SAT. Many institutions have opted for test-flexible policies, thus enabling students to apply without submitting standardized test scores.