Study Abroad Entrance Exams List for Indian Students

Studying abroad is a common aspiration among many students, resulting in a significant rise in the number of applicants seeking academic opportunities abroad. With the desire to study in abroad countries, there is an increasing trend of students taking study abroad entrance exams. Some of the top study abroad exam names are TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, MCAT, LSAT and many more.

This Story also Contains

1. Why Take Study Abroad Entrance Exams?
2. What Exams Are Required to Study Abroad?
3. IELTS Exam for Study Abroad
4. TOEFL Exam for Study Abroad
5. PTE Academic Test for Study Abroad
6. Duolingo (DET) Test for Study Abroad
7. SAT Exam for Abroad Study
8. ACT Test for Study Abroad
9. MBA Entrance Exams for Studying Abroad
10. Entrance Exam for MBBS Abroad
11. Entrance Exam for Law in Abroad
12. Documents Required for Study Abroad Entrance Exams

As per the data from the Ministry of External Affairs, more than 13 lakh students from India shifted overseas for study reasons. The easy and simple admissions process for prestigious universities abroad has opened up numerous possibilities for students to pursue their undergraduate and graduate studies in abroad colleges/universities.

Read this article to know about the various entrance examinations that are required to study different courses in different countries. The majority of universities around the world accept these exams.

Studying abroad has led to an increase in the number of students taking abroad entrance tests and an increase in competition. Pursuing studies in abroad might give you new insights and a deeper comprehension of life beyond the home nation, rather than just assisting you in advancing one’s profession.

Why Take Study Abroad Entrance Exams?

There are already more than 6 million students studying abroad. Therefore, students need to get admission through the competitive selection process. The acceptance rate of the top universities abroad makes it more challenging for many candidates to study abroad.

At the forefront of this process are the entrance exams for MS abroad, which serve as the entry point to the schools of your dreams. Universities accept these exams to shortlist the candidates for their university programs. These study abroad entrance exams also help students get scholarships and financial aid to ease their study costs.

What Exams Are Required to Study Abroad?

Entrance exams to go abroad for study in foreign universities vary depending on the country, university, and programme of study one is applying for. Universities are used to evaluate the academic preparation, ability and willingness of future students with the help of these entrance exams. For international applicants, the university requires language proficiency as well. Some foreign university entrance exams measure the problem-solving ability and critical thinking strength of the candidate.

Here is the list of entrance exams for abroad studies that are generally used by most of the abroad universities.

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)

• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)

• GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

• MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)

• SAT ( Scholastic Assessment Test)

• ACT ( American College Testing)

• DET (Duolingo English Test)

Exams such as the ACT and SAT majorly work on the reading, listening, and writing skills taken for undergraduate admissions in the United States; whereas the GRE and GMAT are for graduate programmes accepted globally, the MCAT is the medical entrance exam to study abroad and the LSAT is designated as the entrance exam for law schools.

Every study abroad entrance exam has its own different scoring criteria, exam pattern, requirements and format. Candidates need to prepare for these exams with available practice test materials to learn the strategy of scoring high and be taken into consideration. Here is an overview of some of the major foreign universities entrance exams accepted globally.

IELTS Exam for Study Abroad

IELTS is the most commonly used abroad studies entrance test as evidence of a candidate’s English proficiency. The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test measures the language ability of a candidate in four different parameters, i.e., listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The IELTS exams are widely used by candidates who want to study or work abroad. IELTS is offered up to four times a month and 48 times each year and it has over 4000 test centres in more than 140 countries.

The IELTS exam is conducted by IDP IELTS Education in partnership with the British Council and Cambridge Assessment English. The test is widely used by the immigration authority to approve a visa application.

The exam duration of IELTS is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, which is divided into 4 sections; listening (30 minutes, which includes 10 minutes of transfer time as well), reading (60 minutes), writing (60 minutes) and speaking (11–14 minutes). The IELTS score band ranges from 1 to 9.

IELTS exam fees in India vary from Rs. 16,050 to Rs. 17,250, depending on the test type.

TOEFL Exam for Study Abroad

This study abroad entrance exam is also an English language proficiency test taken by non-native English speakers. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) has registered more than 27 million people, with nearly 12,000 organisations recognising its score in more than 160 countries. The TOEFL exam is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The TOEFL is conducted 50 times a year in around 4,500 test centres across the world.

The TOEFL syllabus covers four sections; listening, reading, speaking, and writing. To get an understanding of the paper pattern of the TOEFL, refer to the sample papers, which guide the TOEFL preparation tips for the test. The TOEFL test score validity is up to two years. Popular universities in countries like Canada, Japan, Australia, the USA, the UK, New Zealand and more give higher preference to the TOEFL exams as proof of the applicant's English language proficiency.

For the internet-based test (iBT), the test scores are reported between 0 and 120. Additionally, the TOEFL Essentials score scale ranges in bands from 1 to 12 for each section. There are paper-based and home-based tests as well in TOEFL.

PTE Academic Test for Study Abroad

The Pearson Test of English Academic is another popular English language test after TOEFL and IELTS, widely accepted in many study-abroad countries and popular universities in the United States, UK, Australia, and Canada. The PTE Academics exam is a computer-based English language proficiency test.

The PTE academic exam pattern consists of four major sections; listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills.

PTE results are measured on a scale of 10 to 90, in which every section is reported separately and the overall score is calculated as the average of three section scores.

Additionally, the score also includes additional measures such as enabling skills scores (grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, and written discourse) and communicative skills scores (listening, reading, speaking, and writing).

The PTE exam fee is Rs. 17,000 for academic, online and PTE Core as well. Whereas for the UK visas, the exam fees are mentioned below:

PTE exam fees for UK visas

Duolingo (DET) Test for Study Abroad

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is an online English proficiency exam. It is widely accepted by universities, colleges, and institutions globally as a study abroad entrance exam for admissions. The Duolingo exam pattern consists of four sections; reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

The DET exam can be taken anytime, as it is available seven days a week and 24 hours a day and it is an online exam, which means students can take the exam while sitting at home. Hence, due to its flexibility and availability, DET has become popular in many countries.

The test duration of Duolingo is 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes and the test fee is approximately Rs. 4.9K (USD 59).

After submission of the test, candidates will receive their scores within 48 hours. The Duolingo test results are reported on a scale of 10 to 160 for each section, with an overall score ranging from 10 to 160.

SAT Exam for Abroad Study

The SAT ( Scholastic Assessment Test) is an internationally recognised test that evaluates a candidate for college-level admission in the United States. The SAT exam pattern consists of two sections: the reasoning test and the subject test. The sections also include evidence-based reading and writing (combined) and math. However, the tests differ in terms of syllabus, test pattern, and scoring process and have separate practice sets to guide the candidates. This test is administered by the College Board and is popularly required for undergraduate admissions in the United States.

The candidates can also have a completely optional essay section. The score requirements of the SAT vary by institution, with many colleges considering SAT scores as entrance exams for foreign universities.

For giving SAT exams, there are no eligibility criteria and the exam is mainly based on high school subjects. The SAT is offered six times internationally at various centres across the world. An aspirant can register for the test as many times as possible within the preview period of the allotted dates. However, since the test is taken for admissions in colleges, candidates should take the test when they are in junior or senior high school.

ACT Test for Study Abroad

The ACT, known as the American College Testing, is another standardised test for undergraduate admission accepted for the abroad studies entrance exam, especially for students who want to study in the USA. The exam majorly covers four main sections, which include English, Math, Reading, and Science, and an optional Writing (Essay) section.

Each section's score on the ACT is measured separately and ranges from 1 to 36. The composite score, which is the average of the four main sections (excluding the writing section), also ranges from 1 to 36. The optional writing section is calculated on a separate score range between 2 and 12.

Applicants can take the ACT multiple times throughout the year at designated test centres across the United States and internationally. Some students opt for self-study using ACT preparation tips, books, online resources, and practice tests. Overall, the ACT scores are used to measure the academic ability and skills of the candidate in multiple subjects.

MBA Entrance Exams for Studying Abroad

The major MBA entrance exam for studying abroad is the GMAT and now, to increase acceptance in postgraduate courses, over 1,300 business schools globally also accept the GRE for admission in their MBA programmes. Although the GRE is mostly taken for the MS courses. Additionally, many universities have their own entrance exam for selecting students in particular departments or programmes.

GMAT for Study Abroad

The GMAT is a graduate management admission test administered by the GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council). This test is majorly required for admission to an MBA (Master of Business Administration) and other business-related graduate programmes overseas. The sections include analytical writing assessment, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning.

The GMAT exam is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) and each section of the GMAT is scored as follows:

• Analytical Writing Assessment: Scores between 0 and 6, in half-point increments.

• Integrated Reasoning: Scores range from 1 to 8, with increments in single digits.

• Quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning: from 0 to 60.

Overall, the GMAT scores range between 200 and 800, based on scores in the quantitative and verbal sections only.

GRE Exam for Study Abroad

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a post-graduate entrance exam for MS courses abroad, for applicants who want to pursue further studies after completing their graduation courses. The GRE is considered for the study abroad engineering entrance exam, especially in the United States.

The GRE syllabus includes analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. The GRE registration should be done through ETS (Educational Testing Service)

GRE has more than 700 test centres in over 160 countries. Many universities may waive the GRE requirement for some programmes, particularly discipline courses.

There are no specific eligibility criteria for the GRE test. Candidates can select a date of exam preference and register for the test. Candidates can take the GRE Test once every 21 days, up to five times within 12 months. The GRE exam fees in India are mentioned below:

GRE Test Fees

Entrance Exam for MBBS Abroad

Aspiring students who are looking to pursue an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) degree abroad have to take the medical entrance exams. Here is an overview of medical entrance exams.

NEET

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is an entrance exam for studying abroad and India as well. Students seeking admission to MBBS programmes abroad must take the NEET exam. The NEET is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in India. NEET measures the student's knowledge and understanding of subjects like physics, chemistry, and biology. Many foreign countries, including Russia, the USA, Ukraine, China, Australia, the Philippines, and others, require NEET scorecards for admission selection to their medical colleges. Check the table for the fee structure of the NEET exam.

NEET Exam Fees

For foreign students, the application fee for the NEET exam is Rs. 9500

MCAT

The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is a structured entrance exam for MBBS study abroad programmes. The MCAT exam is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Aspiring medical students who are seeking to take admission abroad in major countries like Canada and the USA. The MCAT syllabus focuses on scientific concepts, critical thinking skills, and the ability to apply the concepts in a medical context.

The test sections include Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour, and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills.

The MCAT exam fees are mentioned below for reference:

MCAT Registration fees

The MCAT scores for each section are generally scored separately, ranging from 118 to 132. The total MCAT score is the sum of the four section scores, with an approximate range of 472 to 528. The MCAT median score is approximately 500, with a standard deviation of approximately 10 points.

There are many university entrance exams as well as country-specific exams for the MBBS programmes, such as the UKCAT (United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test) and the BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test), which is a university-specific entrance test in the UK.

Entrance Exam for Law in Abroad

Applicants looking for admission to law schools abroad need to take specific entrance exams. LSAT is the widely accepted entrance exam for Law in Abroad as well in India. Additional bar exams are also taken depending on the different countries and their criteria. In the UK and some European countries also accept LNAT exams.

LSAT

The LSAT is a popular entrance exam for foreign universities that is required globally for admission to law schools and courses. The LSAT exams are widely accepted in the US, Canada, Australia and many other countries abroad. There are two LSAT exams conducted, one is LSAT India and the other one is LSAT Abroad. The full form of the LSAT is the Law School Admission Test; it is a standardised test given by students who are willing to apply for law studies. The LSAT India is only valid for law schools in India, whereas the LSAT abroad is applicable for studying abroad.

Both LSAT exams are conducted by the different Law School Admission Councils (LSAC). The LSAT syllabus sections include logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, reading comprehension, and an unscored writing sample. The LSAT scores of multiple-choice sections are calculated on a scale of 120 to 180. The writing sample is not scored but is included in law school admissions materials for review by admissions committees.

The LSAT registration fee for the study abroad entrance exam is RS 18.5K (USD 222).

Also Read: LSAT Preparation Tips

Documents Required for Study Abroad Entrance Exams

The document requirement varies as per the level of the exam, the institution or programme, and the country in which the candidate is applying. However, the general requirements for exams to write to study abroad are as follows:

• Identification Document: any government-issued ID or passport is used for identification purposes during the exam registration process and on the exam day.

• Exam Registration Form: test-takers have to fill out an exam registration form, providing general information such as your name, address, contact details, and sometimes academic background.

• A passport-size Photo: Recent passport-sized photographs are required for identification purposes in the major entrance exams. These photos are often affixed to your exam registration form and admit cards.

• Exam fee receipt: students need proof of their registration by providing the exam fee receipt; it will be shared through email or can be downloaded from the exam portal.

• Special Accommodation Request: If the candidate requires special accommodations due to a disability or any other special circumstances, they need to provide documentation for the same.

• Educational Qualification Documents: candidates need to submit academic and transcript records, diplomas, and certificates from their previous institutes, depending on the level of the exam (e.g., undergraduate or graduate).

• Admit Card: After completing the registration for the study abroad entrance exams, test takers should download or receive the admit card. The admit card holds all the details required, such as your exam date, time, and test centre location.

• Other required documents: Depending on the specific requirements of the exam or the institution, there may be additional documents needed.

The students must review the exam registration instructions and requirements carefully to confirm the documents needed to take the exam.