USA, a popular choice for higher education among students across the sphere, has all the reasons to have achieved accolades in the past few decades. With its top-notch education system, state-of-the-art facilities, and great post-study work opportunities, every year more than a million foreign students prefer to study in the United States of America.
Beginning a journey to study in the United States could be exciting for any foreign student, but studying at an American University would require an eligibility test. Although there are many tests to acquire this eligibility, you should know the right one to unlock the door of amazing opportunities!
ENTRANCE TESTS
The entrance tests are designed to examine the core aptitude of a student, and they vary according to the choice of study domain and course in specific. These tests are principally divided into four different categories:
- Language Proficiency Test to Study in the USA
- Entrance Tests for Bachelor Programmes to Study in the USA
- Entrance Tests for Masters Programmes to Study in the USA
- Entrance Tests for Professional Programmes to Study in the USA
Which are the major study abroad entrance exams?
When aiming to study abroad, you need to familiarize yourself with various entrance exams. Each of these exams serves a specific purpose and is recognized in different parts of the world.
- TOEFL and IELTS: These are English language proficiency tests, generally needed if you plan to study in countries where the medium of instruction is English. According to ETS, more than 10,000 universities in over 150 countries accept TOEFL scores. IELTS, on the other hand, is recognized by over 11,000 organizations worldwide.
- GMAT and GRE: These are primarily used for admission into postgraduate programs. GMAT is frequently preferred for business and management programs, while GRE has a broader acceptance, being used by a variety of programs across disciplines.
- SAT and ACT: These are undergraduate entrance exams widely recognized in the United States. They evaluate a broad range of knowledge and skills. As of 2021, 2.2 million students took the SAT, while 1.67 million opted for the ACT.
- MCAT, LSAT, and USMLE: These are specialized exams for professional programs like medicine and law, among others.
For example: If you’re aiming to study medicine in the U.S., you would need to take the MCAT. As per the AAMC, nearly 90,000 students took the MCAT in 2020.
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TEST
Language ability tests are usually taken to assess the candidate’s competency to communicate in a foreign language. The framework of these tests are designed to match the standard grammar and vocabulary of the destination country. So, if any international student from a non-English speaking country, who is willing to pursue higher education in a country like the USA, English knowhow is a must! English is the third most spoken language around the world, and is the most common medium of instruction provided in the USA universities. Not only English is widely popular but also provides a common means of communication for all. The most widely-recognized English tests in the USA are IELTS Academic, PTE Academic & TOEFL iBT.
Test Features:
IELTS Academic:
- Divided into four sections – LRWS – Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking
- Score Range: 1-9 Bands, with equal weightage on all four sections
- Test Duration: LRW Exam on the same day – 2 Hours and 45 Minutes. Speaking taken on Separate Day – 15 Minutes, 7 Days before or after LRW
- Exam Fee: USD 215 to USD 310, depending upon location
- Available in both Physical (Pen & Paper) & Computer Delivered Mode
- Results: Computer Delivered – 5 Working Days, Pen & Paper – 14th Day from Date of Examination
PTE Academic:
- Categorized in to four sections – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
- Only Computer based test
- Test Duration: 3 hours
- Exam Fee: USD 185 to USD 275, Varies from country to country
- Results: Score delivered within 5 working days
TOEFL iBT:
- Divided into four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing
- Modes of Test: Computer & Paper Edition
- Duration: Total test takes just under 2 hours to complete
- Exam Fee: USD 185 to USD 300, Fees vary from country to country
- Results: 4-8 Days for Computer, 11-13 Days for Paper Edition
Please note! The international students may have to appear for college/university entrance tests other than the language proficiency test.
ENTRANCE TESTS FOR BACHELOR PROGRAMMES
1. SAT – Scholastic Aptitude Test
SAT is a standard test, commonly used for college admissions in the USA.
Test Features:
- Comprises of three sections: Reading, Writing & Language Test, Maths
- Duration: Takes three hours to accomplish
- Mode of Exam: Digital test only
- Exam Fee: USD 60
- Results: up to 10 Days
2. ACT – American College Test
ACT is a comprehensive test that evaluates the preparedness of the students to study the bachelor’s program and their potential to complete it.
Test Features:
- Contains up to five sections: Reading, Writing, Maths, Science & English
- Duration: 2 Hours 55 Minutes – 40 Minutes extra for Writing Paper
- Format: Pencil-paper and Online
- Exam Fee: USD 181.50 without Writing, USD 206.50 with Writing Paper
- Results: Up to Two weeks from the date of the Exam
ENTRANCE TESTS FOR MASTER/GRADUATE PROGRAMMES
1. GRE – Graduate Record Examination
GRE is used by many universities as part of their admissions process. GRE is waived by certain universities if the student’s GPA is higher in the Bachelor’s.
Test Features:
- Skills Assessed: Analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning
- Computer Delivered
- The cost of Test is USD 220 – USD 271, varies as per location
- Time Taken for Test: 3 Hours 45 Minutes
- Results: 8-10 Days after test date.
2. GMAT – Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
GMAT test is used by business schools to ascertain whether or not an applicant has the skills necessary to succeed in a graduate-level business program depending on GMAT Scores.
Test Features:
- Comprises four sections: Maths, reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and writing.
- Mode of Test: Computer Based
- Test Fee: USD 300
- Test Duration : 3 Hours 7 Minutes
- Results: Within 7 Business Days
ENTRANCE TESTS FOR PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMMES
1. MCAT – Medical College Admission Test
MCAT is a standardized test for aspiring medical students. All students looking forward to medical admissions in the USA are required to have MCAT scores.
Test Features:
- Comprises four sections: Biological and Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, Writing Samples & Essay.
- Test Format: Computer based
- Test Fee: Standard – USD 335, Additional International Registration Charge beyond the US & Canada – USD 120
- Test Duration: 6 Hours 15 Minutes
- Results: 30-35 days after exam date
2. LSAT – Law School Admission Test
LSAT is a standard test administered throughout the US for admissions in the Law Schools.
Test Features:
- Categorized in to 5 sections: Reading Comprehension, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, Persuasive Writing and Essay
- Test Format: Online Mode
- Test Fee: USD 222
- Test Duration: 3 Hours
- Results: 3-4 Weeks
Apart from the above popular exams, there are other entrance tests like DAT (Dental Admission Test) and OAT (Optometry Admission Test) that can be availed if students are seeking admissions in that domain.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT ENTRANCE TEST FOR STUDY IN USA
Studying an international degree is not only a lifetime experience, but it brings a lot of opportunities that have influence on your personal and professional being. Hence, choosing the perfect entrance exam is crucial to your journey towards a successful career. It is largely governed by the country you aim to study at, your choice of course and the level you prefer to study. A lot of other factors are also associated with your progress in this journey. For example, appropriate understanding of the entrance exams, how regularly are these exams conducted so that you can plan your preparation accordingly, and the overall cost involved.
Hence, a clear approach and well-defined strategy towards your goal of studying abroad can have a significant positive impact on your academic achievements, and in molding a successful future as well!
We hope you found this article helpful in your journey to prepare for the IELTS. The tips and strategies we shared are designed to make your test-taking experience smoother and more effective. Remember, mastering time management and pacing can make a big difference in your IELTS score.
If you liked what you read here, be sure to check out our other articles. We’ve got a bunch of resources and guides that can help you get even more prepared for the IELTS. From subject-specific strategies to general study tips, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Good luck with your IELTS prep, and remember, you’ve got this!