Top 7 entrance exams to study abroad you must know about

Exams to study abroad | Introduction

Studying abroad has become easier than ever. You have many great options for higher education, be it in terms of courses, countries, or colleges. At the same time, it’s easy to get lost in the eligibility requirements of a course. This can lead to confusion about what your academic scores should be, what your profile should look like, and which exams to study abroad are right for you. We’re here to help.

By the end of this article, you will have a fair idea of all the basic and important aspects of the top entrance exams to study abroad. And then you can begin with your prep!

A sea of choices in university and course selection

For each unique combination of country, university and course, there is likely a distinct set of exams you must take. So, instead of jumping right in in the sea of choices, you must narrow them down first. Here’s how-

1. First of all, you need to figure out which course you want to pursue. Learn what the requirements are to study that particular program so that you can ascertain your eligibility.
2. Zero in on the country that you want to study in.
3. And lastly, hunt for the universities and colleges that could provide you with the best education and set the stage for your successful career.

Then, make a list of the top ten colleges abroad where you’d like to study.

Which exams to go abroad are relevant to me?

Depending on the course of study and the university, you need to take one or more entrance exams to study abroad.

Three major factors decide the exams you need to take to study abroad-

1. Country of study
2. Field of study, and
3. College or university of study

The popular and most common international entrance exams to study abroad include SAT, GMAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE.  Once you have shortlisted colleges, confirm the admission details of each college and check which entrance exam is required to be eligible for admission to each college you like.

What entrance exams do I need to take for studying abroad?

The most important exams to go abroad include GRE, GMAT, SAT, IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. You need to take one or more of these exams to get admission into universities and colleges in countries across the globe.

1. The first three tests stated above, i.e. SAT, GRE, and GMAT are aptitude tests. Whereas the other 3 – IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE – are English proficiency tests. Generally, the study abroad admission process requires you to take at least one language exam and one aptitude exam.
2. Depending on the course, country, and the university you are targeting, you may not be required to take an aptitude exam at all. But you will have to take one language exam to show your English language proficiency. At times, you may even be required to take a combination of one or more of these and other exams specific to the country you want to go to.
3. As the language of the country where you live is different from that of the country where you have to go, almost all universities require you to clear a language test rather than the English proficiency exams stated above.

Which language exams do I need to take for studying abroad?

You need to take either TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE as a language test to prove your proficiency in the English language. Here’s a bit about each of them-

TOEFL

• Full form: Test of English as a Foreign Language.
• Objective: To gauge your English language proficiency.
• TOEFL is accepted by over 8,500 colleges & universities in 130 countries all over the world, including the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
• Valid for: Two years.
• Administered at more than 4,500 test centers in 180 countries.
• Types: Paper-based (PBT) and internet-based (iBT).

IELTS

• Full form: International English Language Testing System.
• Objective: To gauge your English language proficiency.
• IELTS is conducted by the British Council and is accepted by over 9000 organizations, including colleges in Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
• Valid for: Two years.
• Administered at 71 centers in India, over four times a month.
• Types: Academic and General.

PTE

• Full form: Pearson Test of English.
• Objective: To gauge your English language proficiency.
• Accepted in countries like Australia, UK, and US.
• Valid for: Two years.
• The exam can be taken online. You just need to book the test 24 hours in advance.
• Types: Academic and General.

Which aptitude entrance exams do I need to take for studying abroad?

The aptitude entrance exams to study abroad are different for different courses.

These tests include GRE, SAT, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, ACT, etc. Have a brief look at the most common of ones here-

GRE

• Full form: Graduate Record Examination.
• Objective: These exams test your readiness to pursue postgraduate/masters at an institution abroad. They measure your verbal, mathematical, and general analytical skills.
• Course: They are mandatory for programs like engineering, biotechnology, computer science, architecture, MBA, etc.
• Valid for: Five years.
• Conducted by Educational Testing Service (ETS).

GMAT

• Full form: Graduate Management Admission Test.
• Objective: To assess analytical writing, quantitative aptitude, verbal reasoning, and integrated reasoning for admission to business colleges.
• This is a compulsory test if you are planning to apply for an MBA program in the US, Canada, Germany, etc. Management courses in Australia also require you to take the GMAT test.
• Valid for: Five years.
• Conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC).

SAT

• Full form: Scholastic Aptitude Test.
• Objective: It is a mandatory exam that tests a student’s written, verbal and mathematical skills for undergraduate/bachelor’s degrees abroad.
• The test is mandatory for student’s applying to colleges in the US, Canada and Germany. UK does not require students to compulsorily take this test.
• Valid for: Five years.
• Supervised by the College Board of USA.

ACT

• Full form: American College Testing.
• Objective: It is a mandatory exam that tests a student’s written, verbal and mathematical skills for undergraduate/bachelor’s degrees in the US.
• Student’s applying to colleges in the US can choose between ACT and SAT.
• Valid for: Five years.
• Administered by Act Inc.

Other prominent entrance tests to study abroad include:

1. LSAT for admission in law schools
2. MCAT for admission into medicine

Note that most of the entrance exams listed above have a fee associated with them.

And remember, excellent performance in the competitive exams to study abroad can help you get financial aid in the form of scholarships. Many colleges and universities consider your performance in these exams to give you a scholarship at the time of admission.

Now what?

Once you have chosen which exams to take, you need to start your prep.

To do this, head over to the blogs we have linked for each exam to study abroad. You will all the info you need along with sample questions and tips in there!

Simultaneously, find out what are the other requirements to study abroad and start working on them.

Key takeaways

• Studying abroad involves various entrance exams, and the choice depends on factors such as country, field of study, and university.
• Different countries have specific exam requirements. Common international entrance exams include the SAT, GMAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE.
• Most universities require language proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS to demonstrate English language skills.
• High performance in these exams can lead to scholarships and financial aid opportunities from colleges and universities.

In case you have any more queries about entrance exams to study abroad or any other requirements to study abroad, drop a comment below or connect with us right away!

Liked this blog? Read more: How to Prepare for IELTS Exam | 5 expert tips!

FAQs

Q1) What are some popular courses international students pursue abroad?

Answer: Popular courses often include MBA, computer science, business, and medicine. 

Q2) Do colleges in foreign countries offer on-campus accommodation?

Answer: Yes, many colleges provide on-campus accommodation options. However, it is advisable to review the university website for updated information.

Q3) Are there scholarships available for international students studying abroad?

Answer: Yes, there are various scholarships, including merit-based and need-based options, for international students.