Studying abroad has been a dream for many Indian students out there. But, the most important requirement for the same is the entrance exam requirements. Since you belong to a country that doesn’t have English as their main language, language tests can be applicable there. Similarly, you have to prove your prior knowledge in your preferred subject-related exams to study abroad. The higher the marks in the exam, the higher the chances of admission are there. Students must be familiar with the best exams to study abroad.
The blog outlines the top 08 best exams to study abroad. Some of them are language proficiency tests while some of them are entrance exams for universities. We have also mentioned the exam duration, purpose, and syllabus for your reference. Any more information regarding the same can be fetched from the blog linked below for each exam mentioned. Students must thoroughly prepare for these best exams to study abroad to maximize their admission chances.
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Important Exams to Study Abroad
Entrance exams or language proficiency tests should be the first thing that should come into your mind if you are thinking to study abroad. There are many important study-abroad exams available after 12th or graduation.
The table shows the list of the popular exams to study abroad along with their purpose. The students must be aware of these popular exams to study abroad.
| Exam Name | Purpose |
| SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) | Admission requirement for undergraduate programs in the United States and Canada. |
| ACT (American College Testing) | Similar to the SAT, widely accepted for undergraduate admissions in the US and Canada. |
| IELTS (International English Language Testing System) | Measures English language proficiency for study, work, and migration purposes in English-speaking countries. |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Evaluates English proficiency for non-native English speakers aiming to study in English-speaking countries. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examination) | Required for admission to graduate programs, particularly in the United States and some other countries. |
| GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) | Specifically for admission to MBA and other management-related graduate programs, widely accepted globally. |
| LSAT (Law School Admission Test) | Mandatory for admission to law schools in the United States and Canada. |
| MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) | Required for admission to medical schools, primarily in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean. |
These exams play important roles in determining eligibility for various educational programs and opportunities abroad.
About the Popular Exams to Study Abroad
This section will bring you the important details regarding the exams to study abroad after 12th or graduation. First, we will provide you with a basic overview of the exams and then we will list some of the important details regarding the exam.
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT)
The SAT is widely taken by junior and senior high school students. This is a 3-hour written exam designed to measure students’ English and math skills. The ideal SAT score is 1600, and 1000 or higher is considered a good SAT score. A good SAT score will get you into almost any college in the US.
| Exam Duration | Approximately 3 hours without the essay (optional) and about 3 hours 50 minutes with the essay. |
| Exam Purpose | The SAT is used for undergraduate college admissions in the United States and Canada. |
| Syllabus | The SAT consists of three main sections: Reading, Writing and Language, and Math, along with an optional Essay. |
For more information regarding this exam, please refer to our blog SAT Exam.
American College Testing (ACT)
The ACT exam serves as one of the best exams to study abroad. The ACT tests your knowledge of math, science, and English. Best of all, it’s based on the high school curriculum you already know. The minimum required ACT score is 16-17, and students who want to study abroad after 12th grade take this test.
| Exam Duration | The ACT (excluding the optional Writing section) takes approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete. Including the optional Writing section extends the duration to about 3 hours and 35 minutes. |
| Exam Purpose | The ACT is used for undergraduate college admissions primarily in the United States and Canada. |
| Syllabus | The ACT consists of four main sections: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science, along with an optional Writing section. |
Know about the important dates of the ACT exam here!
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
The IELTS exam is one of the most popular language proficiency tests to study abroad. IELTS is another English proficiency test similar to TOEFL. Its results are described in scores, the lowest score is 1.0 and the highest score is 9.0. There is a score group for each section of the test, such as listening, reading, writing, and speaking. You need at least a 6.5 GPA to be accepted.
| Exam Duration | The IELTS test duration is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to 2 hours and 55 minutes. |
| Exam Purpose | The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is used to assess English language proficiency for study, work, and migration purposes in English-speaking countries. |
| Syllabus | The IELTS exam consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. |
Want to know more? Refer to the blog post IELTS Exam for more information.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
TOEFL is the premier test of academic proficiency and English language communication for students from countries where English is not the native language. The average TOEFL score for university admission is 75-80. However, some universities require a score of 100 or higher. Its scores are valid for two years and will allow you to be admitted to universities in the US and Canada.
| Exam Duration | The TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) has a total test time of approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours, including a 10-minute break. |
| Exam Purpose | The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is used to evaluate the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers aiming to study or work in English-speaking countries. |
| Syllabus | The TOEFL exam assesses four language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. |
Learn more about the TOEFL Exam pattern and fees here!
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
The GRE exam serves as one of the most important entrance exams to study abroad. If you want to pursue your 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 by US colleges. Anything above 260 on the GRE will get you into college.
| Exam Duration | The TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) has a total test time of approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours, including a 10-minute break. |
| Exam Purpose | The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is used to evaluate the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers aiming to study or work in English-speaking countries. |
| Syllabus | The TOEFL exam assesses four language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. |
Suggested Reading: GRE Exam Syllabus & Pattern
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
The GMAT exam is one of the most popular management entrance exams to study abroad. You must pass 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 for taking this test are that you must be 18 years of age or above. The GMAT score range at top business schools is 550+.
| Exam Duration | The GMAT exam duration is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. |
| Exam Purpose | The GMAT is specifically for admission to MBA (Master of Business Administration) and other management-related graduate programs. |
| Syllabus | The GMAT exam consists of four main sections: Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. |
For more information, refer to the GMAT Exam blog post.
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
The LSAT is a necessary exam for admission to most law schools in the United States and other countries. The LSAT abroad exam is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC). When applying to law schools, the LSAT score is taken into consideration alongside other components of your application.
| Exam Duration | The LSAT exam duration is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. |
| Exam Purpose | The LSAT is mandatory for admission to law schools in the United States and Canada. |
| Syllabus | The LSAT exam consists of five sections: Logical Reasoning (2 sections), Analytical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and an unscored Writing Sample. |
Refer to the blog LSAT Abroad 2024 for exam dates, pattern, and more.
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
The MCAT exam is one of the most popular entrance exams to study abroad medicine courses. The MCAT is a multiple-choice test. MCAT scores are required to pursue medical courses in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean. It is designed to test your physical science, biology, and verbal reasoning skills. If you score in the 65th percentile or higher (506+), you will pass the MCAT.
| Exam Duration | The MCAT exam duration is approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes, including breaks and tutorial time. |
| Exam Purpose | The MCAT is required for admission to medical schools, primarily in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean. |
| Syllabus | The MCAT exam consists of four sections: Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills (CARS), Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, and Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior. |
For more information, please visit our blog MCAT Exam.
These were some of the popular exams to study abroad after 12th or graduation from Indian colleges. If you still have more queries, please visit us at Study Abroad Consultants in Delhi and get your doubts resolved in minutes!
That’s All for Now!
Studying abroad is a big deal for Indian students, and to make it happen, they need to know about important exams. This guide talks about eight key exams that Indian students should consider. These exams include tests like IELTS and TOEFL for language skills, and others like SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT for different fields of study.
Knowing details like exam duration, purpose, and what they cover can help students prepare well and increase their chances of getting into the universities they want. By doing well in these exams to study abroad, Indian students can make their dream of studying abroad a reality, gaining new experiences and shaping their futures in exciting ways.
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FAQs
The best exam for studying abroad depends on the specific requirements of the university or program. Generally, exams like the IELTS and TOEFL assess English proficiency, while the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT evaluate academic aptitude in various fields.
For jobs abroad, proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL are valuable to demonstrate English language skills. Additionally, specialized exams such as the GRE and GMAT may be relevant depending on the industry and position requirements.
In some cases, universities abroad may waive exam requirements based on factors like academic background, language proficiency, or alternative assessments. However, most institutions require standardized tests like IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, or MCAT for admission.
To potentially study abroad for free, explore scholarship opportunities based on academic merit, leadership, or other criteria. While exams like the SAT, ACT, GRE, and GMAT are often required, securing scholarships can mitigate the financial burden of studying abroad.
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