Essential Exams for Studying Abroad: Requirements & Preparation Tips

Studying abroad is a captivating experience offering world-class education, international exposure, and enhanced employment opportunities. In order to enter an International University, an individual needs to pass certain admission exams testing language skills, subject areas, and intellectual capability. These tests allow universities to fairly assess students and determine if they are adequate in terms of academics.

This blog presents a comprehensive overview of the best exams that one needs to take to study abroad, including language proficiency tests, undergraduate entrance exams, graduate exams, and industry-specific tests for particular disciplines. Be it a bachelor’s, master’s, or professional degree, it is essential to know the best exams for foreign education.

Significance of Standardized Exams

Standardized exams are significant in international admissions. Colleges use these exams to:

Determine a student’s language skills in English or other languages.
Check a student’s aptitude in subjects such as mathematics, science, or reasoning.
Follow a fair selection process where students of diverse educational backgrounds are compared on the same level.
Increase a student’s chance of securing scholarships and financial aid based on good scores.

Preparing for such examinations with the right strategies and techniques is required to qualify for entry into top-ranked universities.

English Language Proficiency Tests

All universities in most English-speaking countries ask for proof of English proficiency if you are an International Student. The most commonly accepted of these tests are:

1. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

Accepted by: The UK, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking countries.

Format: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

Scoring: 0-9 band scale; a score of at least 6.0 to 7.5 is generally demanded in most universities.

2. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Accepted by: The USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK.

Format: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.

Scoring: 0-120 scale; universities generally require 80-100.

3. PTE (Pearson Test of English)

Accepted by: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK.

Structure: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening.

Scoring: 10-90 scale; most of the universities demand 50-70.

Undergraduate Admission Tests

If you are searching for exams for studying abroad after the 12th, these standardized tests are typically needed for undergraduate admissions:

4. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)

Accepted by: The USA, Canada, and some European universities.

Format: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing, Mathematics, and an optional Essay.

Scoring: 400-1600; competitive colleges require 1300+.

5. ACT (American College Testing)

Accepted by: The USA and Canada.

Format: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing test.

Scoring: 1-36; top colleges expect 25-32+.

Graduate Admission Tests

For those planning to pursue a master’s degree abroad, the following tests are required:

6. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

Accepted by: USA, Canada, and some European countries.

Format: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.

Scoring: 260-340; top universities require 310+.

7. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

Accepted by: MBA programs in business schools around the globe.

Format: Quantitative, Verbal, Integrated Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.

Scoring: 200-800; the best B-schools require 650+.

Subject-Specific Tests

Certain professional courses require specialized entrance tests:

8. MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)

Accepted by: The USA, Canada, and a few Australian universities.

Format: Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, Psychology, and Critical Thinking.

Scoring: 472-528; top universities demand 510+.

9. LSAT (Law School Admission Test)

Accepted in: The USA, Canada, and certain international law schools.

Structure: Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension.

Scoring: 120-180; competitive law schools demand 160+.

Exams for Non-English Speaking Countries

For university students who intend to study at universities in non-English-speaking countries, the following language competency tests are universally demanded:

10.TestDaF (Germany)

Needed by students who aim to study at German universities.

Tests reading, listening, writing, and speaking in German.

11. DELF/DALF (France)

Required for admission into French universities.

Examines French language competency.

12. JLPT (Japan)

Required for studying in Japan where the Japanese language is mandatory.

Evaluates vocabulary, grammar, and listening.

Exam	Purpose	Accepted in
IELTS	English Proficiency	UK, Canada, Australia, USA
TOEFL	English Proficiency	USA, Canada, Australia
PTE	English Proficiency	Australia, UK, Canada
SAT	Undergraduate Admissions	USA, Canada
GRE	Graduate Admissions	USA, Canada, Europe
GMAT	Business School Admissions	Global (MBA programs)
MCAT	Medical School Admissions	USA, Canada, Australia
LSAT	Law School Admissions	USA, Canada
TestDaF	German Proficiency	Germany

Best Study Abroad Consultancy in Kerala

If you are preparing for these study abroad admission tests, enrolling in a top-notch coaching center can provide organized training and better chances of passing. Neethu’s Academy in Kerala is one of the top choices.

Why Neethu’s Academy?

Experienced Trainers with many years of experience in IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and others.
Study Material covering all the current test patterns.
Personal Coaching according to individual learning styles.
Mock Tests & Feedback to track progress and improve performance.
High Success Rate with students scoring top grades consistently.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right exams required to study abroad is the first step to fulfilling your study goals. Whether you are planning to get admitted for an undergraduate, master’s, or professional course, knowing the exams required and preparing well can be the difference between getting an admission and rejection.

Study in advance, get the assistance of experts if necessary, and aim for top marks to increase your chances of admission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which test is best for studying abroad?

The best test depends on your destination and course. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, GMAT, SAT, and ACT are some of the most frequently required tests.

Which English proficiency test is needed for studying abroad?

You may have to take an English proficiency test (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE) and an entry test like SAT, GRE, GMAT, or MCAT.

What stream is best after the 10th to study abroad?

Science, commerce, and arts all offer opportunities to study abroad, but science and commerce streams typically have greater opportunities for studying engineering, medicine, and business.

Which course is best for studying abroad?

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), business, medical, and legal studies have large demand and employment opportunities across the globe.