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Ashwin Sriram, a content editor for Hotcourses India- an IDP company, has been a part of the journalism circuit for nearly five years. He is a fan of the conversational writing style and loves exploring good human-interest stories from around the world. In his free time, he is often found travelling, reading, writing or meditating.

Ashwin Sriram

17 Aug 2015 59K

5 mins Share

Entrance exams to study abroad

Are you planning to study abroad? Entrance exams to study abroad include IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, SAT and LSAT depending on the course you choose.

17 Aug 2015 59K

5 mins Share

Ashwin Sriram, a content editor for Hotcourses India- an IDP company, has been a part of the journalism circuit for nearly five years. He is a fan of the conversational writing style and loves exploring good human-interest stories from around the world. In his free time, he is often found travelling, reading, writing or meditating.

Ashwin Sriram

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Are you planning to study abroad this year? Looking for admissions at an American University? Or is it an Australian University that interests you? Or is it a Canadian University that you think you need to look for?

You should be clear about the course

What’s included in this article?

Types of entrance exams to study abroad
- 1. Language tests to study abroad
- 2. Standardised entrance tests to study abroad
Relevant entrance tests for studying different subjects abroad
FAQs on entrance tests to study abroad

Are you planning to study abroad this year? Looking for admissions at an American University? Or is it an Australian University that interests you? Or is it a Canadian University that you think you need to look for?

Having figured out your study destination is a big step forward. You should also be clear about the course you want to take and the University you want to study in.

Once you are done with that, you need to focus on the entry requirements. There will be academic requirements and some entrance tests to take to get an offer from your chosen institution abroad.

To help you prepare for any test you need to take, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of tips and suggestions. Our articles cover every key aspect of various standardised tests foreign universities use to measure their applicants’ worth.

Our advisors can also provide you with personalised guidance on the tests that you need to take.

Types of entrance exams to study abroad

The different types of exams for studying abroad can be broadly classified as language tests and standardized entrance tests.

Language tests to study abroad

English is the medium of instruction in institutions in the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada and several others. If you are looking to study in Canada, you will need to prove that you have the necessary English skills to understand the lectures and live a comfortable life outside your university. IELTS or International English Language Testing System is the most popular English proficiency test approved by hundreds of universities abroad.

Here's a list of language tests and the universities in the USA, the UK, Australia and Canada that accept these scores.

Test	Details
IELTS	International English Language Testing System. Has 4 different modules to assess your English speaking, reading, listening and writing skills. The scores are expressed on a scale of 1 to 9.0. Most universities expect a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0 – 7.0. Get more details on the IELTS exam pattern from Hotcourses India.
TOEFL	Test of English as a Foreign Language. The scores are marked on a scale of 0-120. Understand the TOEFL format to familiarize yourself with the test. IELTS vs TOEFL – Wondering which is easy?
PTE Academic	PTE is one test which can be taken any time during the year. You will be able to find a test slot easily. It is a 2-hour test which is computer-delivered. There are 3 parts for the test – Part 1 is speaking & Writing, part 2 – Reading and part 3 – Listening. Learn more about the PTE test.
Duolingo English Test	This is a 1-hour long test and can be taken online from anywhere. Duolingo test is also cheaper than the other proficiency tests.
Cambridge Assessment English	For CAE, you can choose the right exam to prove a target level of English proficiency. C1 Advanced is suggested for students preparing for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Remember that some institutions might insist on specific tests for admission to their courses. They will also have a set minimum score expected from the candidates. Make sure you go through the requirements before picking a test.

Many foreign universities measure your English language skills by looking at your IELTS or TOEFL test scores. A few universities allow you the option to skip these tests and take their own in-house English language test.

You can try our online IELTS mock test to know where you stand.

Alternatively, there are several other websites that offer IELTS mock tests.

Standardised entrance tests to study abroad

Standardised test	Details
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)	It is required for admission to graduate schools. Several universities in the USA accept GRE scores. It analysis your reasoning and analytical skills. Your score sheet will have 3 scores – verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing scores.
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)	This test assesses graduates who apply for business-related programmes. It is computer-delivered. Verbal, mathematical, analytical writing skills and reasoning skills are assessed as part of the GMAT. Scores are announced as percentiles.
SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)	SAT is majorly used by US universities for shortlisting students for their undergraduate programmes. SAT scores range from 400 to 1600. It is a total of the scores for the 2 sections: The evidence-based Reading and Writing section and the Maths section.
LSAT (Law School Admission Test)	LSAT is exclusively for Law courses. LSAT includes two parts – a scored MCQ section and an unscored writing section. The MCQ section includes reading comprehension, analytical reasoning and logical reasoning sections. The unscored writing section response will be shared with your institution when you apply for a Law course. Learn more about the LSAT syllabus.

If you want to study at the graduate level in the USA, you will have to prepare for the GRE test. By going through our suggestions and recommendations, you’ll get a clear idea and information about the test.

Relevant entrance tests for studying different subjects abroad

Entrance exams to clear to study abroad

It would be helpful to know which exams you should focus on while preparing to study abroad. This will largely depend on your preferred course. Use the university entry requirements as your guiding document. However, here are some basic subjects and the entrance exams that universities want you to attempt.

Subject/course	Tests required
Arts courses	Most arts courses will require that candidate submit scores of any English language proficiency test. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and CAE are some of the popular tests.
Business and related courses including MBA	English language tests like IELTS/TOEFL and GRE/GMAT (of which GMAT is preferred more) However, GRE/GMAT is not mandatory for admission to several universities.
Computer Science and IT courses	GRE/GMAT, SAT, English language tests like IELTS/TOEFL. (Several universities have temporarily decided not to collect SAT scores from applicants)
Law courses	English language test like IELTS/TOEFL, LSAT (Again, not all Law schools ask for an LSAT score)

The requirements from universities can vary. Hence it is always necessary to check the entry requirements before attempting the tests.

FAQs on entrance tests to study abroad

Which entrance exam is best for abroad studies?

There are no universal tests to assess you for studies abroad. You should take the entrance tests required by your university. In the case of language tests, some institutions offer you options. TOEFL, IELTS and PTE are generally accepted.

What are the basic requirements for studying abroad?

Along with your application to universities, you will have to submit your academic transcripts, proof of English language proficiency (if you are applying to native English-speaking countries), a good SOP and a couple of LORs. Some courses might also require you to clear specific entrance exams. When you apply for a visa, you will also have to submit proof of finances.

Can a poor student study abroad?

No matter your financial background, if you can acquire a good scholarship or arrange funds through sponsorship or loans, you will be able to study abroad. It goes without saying that you will have to meet all other eligibility criteria set by the university. Once you are at the study destination, you can look for ways to reduce your expenses.

Which exam is required to study in the USA?

You will have to prove your English language skills to study in the USA. IELTS and TOEFL are accepted by most of the institutions in the USA. All other exam requirements are based on the course you choose.

There are several tips are tricks for acing these entrance exams required to study abroad. Search through our site for the most relevant information. If you follow our list of suggestions and prepare well for the exam, then there’s no reason why you can’t ace it. All the best for your study abroad journey!