Study Abroad Entrance Exams

Given the large number of students looking for education options abroad, more and more universities are seen wooing international students through their various programmes. As such, more students are sitting for entrance exams to study abroad. The experience of studying abroad has gone beyond just pursuing a career to something that influences your worldviews and instills an understanding of life beyond the boundaries of your country. 

Over 6 million students are currently studying ourtside their home countries. Of course, before opting for educational opportunities outside you have to go through the rigorous process of selection; at the helm of which is the study abroad entrance exams- the gateway to your dream institutions.  The popularity of study abroad is reflected in the number of centres and helplines the exam conductors have set internationally.

Here, Careers360 provides you with the gateways to your dreams- the exams to courses abroad. Whether it is IELTS or GMAT, MCAT or SAT we have the list of all such exams, which will help you in achieving your dream. Are you interested in management studies?  Does medicine excite you? Or do you feel pursuing a college degree outside known universities of your country will arm you with a better experience? Studying abroad enlivens your possibilities by introducing you to new and worldly methods of understanding.

Check the list below to find which is your ‘gateway exam’ to your dream career and destination!

IELTS: The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an English language proficiency test conducted to evaluate a candidate’s skill in the language. Jointly owned by the British Council, IDP, IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL), IELTS scores are accepted by 9000 organisations around the world.  

Any person who wishes to pursue education or work opportunities in English speaking countries can apply for the exam. As such, there are no eligibility criteria in IELTS.

The IELTS test measures a candidate’s ability in four different parameters i.e., listening, reading, writing and speaking covered in the IELTS syllabus. You can get more information on the syllabus and pattern in the sample papers provided by the IELTS conducting authorities. IELTS is offered up to four times a month in more than 125 countries and has 48 fixed test dates each year.

TOEFL: The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a test taken by non-native English speakers to test their English language proficiency. More than 27 million people are known to have registered for the test, with around 9000 organisations  recognizing its score. Administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), the TOEFL test is conducted 50 times a year at around 4500 test centres across the world.

An interesting aspect of TOEFL is that test takers from some countries, namely, Mainland China, India, Japan, Korea or Taiwan are awarded scholarships for demonstrating English-communication proficiency among other academic achievements. With test scores valid upto two years, TOEFL syllabus covers four sections, namely, listening, reading, speaking and writing. To get an understanding of the paper pattern of TOEFL, refer to the sample papers, which provide guidance in the preparation for the test.

GRE: The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardised test taken for admission to graduate and business schools across the world. GRE is the right exam for you if you wish to get a master’s or MBA degree from abroad.

Available at around 700 test centres in more than 160 countries, the GRE can be taken both as a general and subject test. While the syllabus, paper pattern and scoring pattern of both the tests are different, many international graduate and B-schools accept them both. Interested candidates can download the sample papers for both the formats of GRE here.

Interestingly, there is no eligibility criteria for the GRE test. Aspirants can select a date of preference and register for the test irrespective of age and qualification. You can take the GRE Test once every 21 days, up to five times within a 12-month period.

SAT: SAT is an internationally recognised test that evaluates a candidate for college level admission in the United States. Its two types- Reasoning Test and Subjects Test -- evaluate how well test takers analyse and solve problems. However, the tests differ in terms of syllabus, test pattern and scoring process; and have separate practice sets to guide the candidates.

Based mainly on high school subjects, SAT is offered six time internationally at various centres across the world. Although, an aspirant can register for the test as many times possible within the purview of the allotted dates. An added bonus is that there is no eligibility criterion for SAT. However, since the test is taken for admissions in colleges, it is advisable for candidates to take the test when they are in junior or senior high school.

LSAT: Administered by the LSAC, the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardised law entrance test taken for admission to law schools in the US, Canada and some other countries.

Held four times a year at designated test centres across the world, the LSAT evaluates aspirants on skills that the/she will require in law schools. As such, the LSAT syllabus includes three main topics that are analytical reasoning, logical reasoning and reading comprehension.

The pattern of the test allots 35 minutes to each topic; except logical reasoning, which gets 70 minutes for two sub-sections. You can check the LSAT sample paper for more insight into the pattern of the test.  Usually, February, June, October and December are fixed for taking the LSAT exam. However, not all test dates are available at all the centres.

Since, there are no specific eligibility criteria for taking LSAT, candidates are advised to check the selection procedure for the law schools they would be applying to.

GMAT: The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardised management test used in the selection procedure of more than 1600 institutes across 82 countries.

Conducted by GMAC, the test is used by business schools as a criterion for application into a wide range of management programs like MBA, Master of Accountancy and Master of Finance programs. With test scores valid for upto 5 years. It is held all around the year at over 600 test centres across the globe .

The GMAT syllabus consists of a wide range of topics divided in a pattern of four sections, namely, Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative and Verbal.

The computer adaptive test facilitates admission to more than 5,900 programs in different institutes.

MCAT: Conducted by the AAMC, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is accepted for admission mainly to medical institutes in the US, Canada and some other countries. The syllabus and pattern for this test is set in a way to test an aspirant's awareness in scientific concepts and principles. You can check the MCAT sample paper for more insight into the pattern of the test. 

Besides medical institutes, some health professions and graduate schools accept MCAT scores as part of their selection procedure. Aspirants planning to register for health professional institutes can take the MCAT.

MCAT centres are located all around the world for the convenience of the test takers. However, the confirmation of the test date depends on the availability of seats as on that date.

With more than 85000 students sitting for the exam every year, MCAT evaluates a candidate on three yardsticks, namely, Physical Sciences, Verbal Reasoning and Biological Sciences.

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