The 10 Most Important Exams for Studying Abroad: IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and More!
In recent years, the trend of studying abroad to obtain an international degree has increased significantly, mainly due to the wide range of options and ease of admission to universities abroad.
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As the admission process to renowned universities abroad becomes easier, students are given numerous options to pursue graduate or postgraduate studies in international universities. This article is compiled to help students explore the gateways to the best universities in the world.
From English language tests like TOEFL, IELTS, PTE to the Common Entrance Examination, there are numerous exams that one must take before getting admitted to a university abroad. However, not all countries and institutions require the same tests.
Let us take a closer look at the exams that Indian students need to clear to study abroad.
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Language Exams to Study Abroad
Since the trend of studying abroad is from non-English speaking countries in Asia to English speaking countries in the West, changing the language in the process is very important. Since English is used as the language of communication in these countries, you must first pass a language test to prove your language skills.
IELTS, TOEFL and PTE are the three main English exams taken by students who want to study abroad after graduation, 12th grade and 10th grade. The results of these three exams also contribute to the professional aspect of non-native speakers who want to move to English speaking countries for professional reasons.
Let’s take a closer look at each one. Let us dig deeper and know more about the exams for Indian students to study abroad.
IELTS
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an English language proficiency test taken primarily by people who wish to study abroad. IELTS exams are conducted in India in collaboration with the British Council, Cambridge Assessment English, and IDP: IELTS Australia.
There are two IELTS modules:
IELTS Academic Module: It focuses on overseas higher education qualifications. If you are applying to a university, research position, or other academic job abroad, you must pass IELTS Academic.
IELTS General Training Module: The general module deals with social skills and work practice. When applying for work or immigration, you will need to pass a general test.
The test procedure is as follows:
It is to be noted every educational institution has its minimum score eligibility criterion for this test. Students need to score at least above 6 to be eligible to pursue a degree in top universities. Check the IELTS score requirements for your referred institution beforehand.
The frequency of the test is 48 times a year, for the Paper-based IELTS. The computer-delivered IELTS is conducted 7 days a week, and 3 times a day.
| Validity | Cost | Duration | Minimum Score |
| 2 Years | INR 16,250 | 2 Hours 45 Minutes | 5.5-6.0 |
It is important to note that each educational institution has its own minimum score requirements for this test. Students must score at least 6 or higher to be eligible for admission to top universities. Be sure to check the specific IELTS score requirements for your preferred institution in advance.
The Paper-based IELTS is offered 48 times a year. The computer-delivered IELTS is available 7 days a week, with three sessions each day.
TOEFL
The purpose of the TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is to assess non-native English speakers’ fluency and knowledge of the language. To enroll students, colleges and universities in Australia, the UK, Canada, the US, and numerous other nations require TOEFL results. This test may be taken in two different ways: online or on paper. The online test is generally more well-liked than the paper test.
The following is the test’s structure:
| Validity | Cost | Duration | Minimum Score |
| 2 Years | INR 16,900 | 3 Hours | 90-100 |
There is no minimum score for TOEFL. However, most universities prefer a minimum score of 90-100. In Australia and the UK, the test is equally accepted as IELTS, while American institutions prefer TOEFL over IELTS tests.
The exam is given 50 times a year, including 4-5 times per month.
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IELS v/s TOEFL
Let us do a comparative study to understand the tests more..
| Feature | IELTS | TOEFL |
| Format | Academic and General Training | IBT and PBT |
| Time | 2 Hours 45 Minutes | 3 Hours (Approx.) |
| Sections | Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking | Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking |
| Scoring | Band 1-9 | Score 0-120 |
| Tasks | Multiple choice, Sentence Completion, Short answer, Essay, and Speaking | Multiple choice, Sentence Completion, Short answer, Essay, and Speaking |
| Acceptability | Over 11,500 organisations worldwide | Over 130 countries |
The duration, minimum score, and frequency of the test vary according to your test type, and other requirements.
PTE
The Pearson Test of English, or PTE, differs significantly from the other two because of a few key features. First of all, because this test is entirely dependent on computerized technologies, the scoring patterns are significantly different. Furthermore, this test yields results more quickly than others of a comparable nature. In most cases, the findings are announced five days after the test. Therefore, if you are pressed for time because to restricted availability or a delayed results announcement, a PTE is advised.
The following is the test’s structure:
| Validity | Cost | Duration | Minimum Score |
| 2 Years | INR 15,900 | 2 hours 15 minutes | 51-60 |
PTE majorly focuses on the daily use of the English language, rather than the university level.
PTE is conducted around the year. The availability of the test date depends upon your test centre and test type. Check the official website for more information.
IELTS V/S PTE
Let’s compare the tests in order to gain a better understanding of them.
| Feature | IELTS | PTE |
| Format | Academic and General | Academic |
| Time | 2 Hours 45 Minutes | 2 Hours 15 Minutes |
| Sections | Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening Comprehension |
| Scoring | Band 1-9 | Score 10-90 |
| Tasks | Multiple Choice, Fill-in-the-blank, Short Answer, Essay, and Speaking | Multiple Choice, Fill-in-the-blank, Short Answer, Essay, and Speaking |
Duolingo
Duolingo is one of the newest language proficiency tests used by international students. It is accepted by over 4,500 institutions worldwide and evaluates your ability to use English in real-world contexts.
The test comprises four modules: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, and it is available both online and offline. Duolingo is particularly popular in the USA and Canada.
The structure of the test is as follows:
| Validity | Cost | Duration | Minimum Score |
| 2 Years | INR 4852 | 45 minutes | 10 |
Duolingo is recommended when you need to take a test urgently and need to get the results faster. Once you take the Duolingo test, you can get your results within 2 days.
IELTS v/s Duolingo
Let us do a comparative study to understand the tests more.
| Feature | IELTS | PTE |
| Format | Academic and General | Online |
| Time | 2 Hours 45 Minutes | 45 Minutes |
| Sections | Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening Comprehension |
| Scoring | Band 1-9 | Score 1-5 |
| Tasks | Multiple Choice, Fill-in-the-blank, Short Answer, Essay, and Speaking | Multiple Choice, Fill-in-the-blank, Short Answer, and Speaking |
| Acceptability | Over 11,500 organisations worldwide | Over 4,500 organisations worldwide |
Since Duolingo is a comparatively new language proficiency test, it is recommended to ensure that the test is accepted by your preferred university.
uniform entrance exams for international study
In addition to passing the language proficiency exams, which are the initial step towards your study abroad plan, you must also pass the entrance exam for your course. The SAT, MCAT, and ACT entrance exams are required to enroll in an undergraduate program.
You must score well on the LSAT, GRE, or GMAT in order to be admitted to a postgraduate program. These tests assess the candidates’ problem-solving, critical thinking, and writing abilities as well as their understanding of scientific ideas and concepts that are pertinent to the study of a certain specialization.
Depending on your course, you may need to pass a standardized entrance exam.
SAT
The Scholastic Assessment Test, or SAT, is a widely accepted college admission exam that is used to assess applicants’ analytical, verbal, and writing abilities. After the 12th grade, students must take this exam in order to be eligible to enroll in college programs in both Canada and the United States of America. A few universities in the UK also recognize the SAT score as a legitimate criterion for admission. Before taking the SAT exam to study abroad, candidates are strongly advised to do extensive research on the selection criteria of the targeted colleges and courses.
The following is the test’s structure:
| Validity | Cost | Duration | Minimum Score |
| 5 Years | INR 8,055- 9,062 | 3 Hours | 400 |
Apart from the general SAT, there are subject-specific SATs. The cost for an SAT Subject Test is INR 7435 (Approx). However, nowadays, most universities do not refer to a subject-specific test.
ACT
The American College Testing, or ACT, is a standardized exam used to gain admission to US universities for a range of undergraduate programs. Several universities outside of the USA also accept it.
The ACT frequently assesses both domestic and international students’ academic preparedness for particular college courses. This exam assesses candidates’ writing, verbal, mathematical, and scientific abilities.
The following is the test’s structure:
| Validity | Cost | Duration | Minimum Score |
| 5 Years | ₹16,703 (approx) | 2 Hours 55 Minutes | 16-17 |
Although there is no passing score in the ACT, the majority of the colleges accept a score above 16.
LSAT
The Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, is required of students wishing to pursue a Master of Laws degree from American colleges. The Law School Admission Council administers the exam, which is recognized in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The following is the test’s structure:
| Validity | Cost | Duration | Minimum Score |
| 5 Years | ₹15,017 (approx) | 3 Hours 15 Minutes | 151 |
Although the LSAT is widely accepted by law institutes, it is the LNAT or National Admissions Test for Law that is valid in the law colleges of the UK.
GRE
One of the most common tests taken by Indian students hoping to study in the US, Canada, or any of the thousands of business schools worldwide is the Graduate Record Examination, or GRE. This exam evaluates the candidates’ general analytical, mathematical, and linguistic abilities. Students who wish to pursue a postgraduate degree in business administration (MBA) or science (MS) in the United States of America must take this exam.
The following is the test’s structure:
| Validity | Cost | Duration | Minimum Score |
| 5 Years | ₹22,550 (approx) | 3 Hours 45 Minutes | 130 |
Apart from the general GRE, there are also GRE Subjects. The cost of GRE Subjects in India is INR 14,500. However, this is not required in most universities.
GMAT
Students who want to pursue an MBA abroad particularly take the Graduate Management Admission Test, or GMAT. This exam is extremely important since it determines admission eligibility to the world’s best management and business schools.
The GMAT assesses your analytical, critical thinking, reasoning, logic, and problem-solving abilities. It is required for admission to more than 21,000 institutions and colleges across 114 countries.
The following is the test’s structure:
| Validity | Cost | Duration | Minimum Score |
| 5 Years | INR 24,600 | 3 Hours 7 Minutes | 200 |
Aspirants need to score over 570 to secure admission to top international universities. However, a few schools accept a minimum score of 700 as well.
MCAT
The Medical College Admission Test, or MCAT, is required in the United States, Canada, and eighteen other countries in order to be admitted to medical programs. This test uses multiple-choice examination patterns designed by the Association of American Medical Colleges. This test’s main objective is to evaluate each person’s understanding of science and medicine.
The following is the test’s structure:
| Validity | Cost | Duration | Minimum Score |
| 3 Years | ₹30,750 (approx) | 7 Hours 30 Minutes | 118 |
The MCAT is valid in the US and most medical institutes in Canada, whereas in the UK it is substituted by UCAT or University Clinical Aptitude Test.
Exams Suggested for Study Abroad: A List by Country
The recommended entrance tests for the countries where you wish to study abroad differ depending on a number of variables. The following crucial elements determine which tests you must take:
Your program or course
Your university or college
Your ideal nation
You must meet the unique eligibility requirements of your university and take the requisite examinations if you are unsure of which ones you need to take in order to study overseas.
The tests needed to study abroad are listed below, each in a table with the appropriate course and country:Exams Preferred for Studying Abroad: List by Country
| Name of the Country | Name of Program | Preferred English Proficiency Test | Standardised Entrance Test |
USA | Undergraduate | TOEFL Duolingo | SAT, ACT |
| Postgraduate | TOEFL Duolingo | GMAT, or GRE for MBA GRE for MS MCAT for Medical LSAT for Law | |
| Diploma | TOEFL Duolingo | – | |
UK | Undergraduate | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAE, CPE | SAT |
| Postgraduate | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAE, CPE | GMAT, or GRE for MBA GRE for MS UCAT for Medical LNAT for Law | |
| Diploma | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, CAE, CPE | – | |
Canada | Undergraduate | TOEFL CELPIP, Duolingo | SAT, ACT |
| Postgraduate | TOEFL CELPIP Duolingo | GMAT, or GRE for MBA GRE for MS MCAT for Medical LSAT for Law | |
| Diploma | TOEFL CELPIP, Duolingo | – |
The table lists the most well-known exams for each program in each nation. There are, nevertheless, exclusions for specific universities and programs. For instance, whereas LNAT is advised in the UK, the Law Admission Test (LSAT) is more popular in the USA and Canada. Nonetheless, several UK universities will also accept an LSAT in lieu of an LNAT.
Other popular study abroad locations, such Australia and New Zealand, have comparable entry requirements to the aforementioned nations. IELTS and PTE are the preferred language competence tests for studying abroad in both of these nations.
Exams for Scholarships to Study Abroad
If you’re having trouble affording your study abroad program, you can apply for one of the many international student grants available. The country, university, and program for which you are applying will all affect the scholarships available. There are differences among these scholarships in terms of qualifying conditions.
The following list includes a few popular scholarships that fall under each of the popular admission tests for studying abroad.
| Entrance Exam | Scholarships |
| IELTS | Hornby Scholarships 2023 The British Council IELTS Award Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Programme Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships Great Scholarship India |
| TOEFL | ETS scholarships Grants and awards by ETS and TOEFL BoardTOEFL Young Student Series (YSS) Research Grants TOEFL Awards (by application) TOEFL Awards (by nomination) |
| GMAT | GMAT Scholarship for Amsterdam MBA Manchester Merit Scholarships ESMT Diversity Scholarship Young Potential Leader (MBA) |
| GRE | INSEAD MBA Scholarships Chicago Booth MBA Scholarships Wharton MBA Scholarships Stanford MBA Scholarships Kellogg MBA Scholarships |
Minimum score requirements and other eligibility criteria vary for each scholarship. Also, make sure that the program/university you are applying for accepts these scholarships.
Exams to Study Abroad after 10th and 12th
Is it possible to study abroad beyond ten or twelve? is a question that many students have. If you prepare ahead of time in accordance with the entry requirements, this is rather doable. For instance, you must do well on the IELTS or other language tests before the application deadline if you want to study abroad after your tenth grade year. You must provide enough time for preparation if you hope to pass your test on time. Therefore, following your 12th grade, you may be able to study abroad with careful planning.
The IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, GMAT, or GRE are the typical entry tests for post-secondary education overseas. Your study abroad destination must guide your decision. For instance, the majority of nations, including the UK, Canada, and New Zealand, advise taking the IELTS exam.
Final Thoughts
The first step is to select the test that is right for you. Before selecting the entry examinations for an international study program, think about your ideal nation, university, and curriculum. Take the necessary time to prepare for your entrance exam when you’ve decided on it.
It is advised to attend practice exams on a regular basis. Plenty of materials are available online to help you prepare for your admission exam. It is advised, therefore, that you trust reliable sources. Materials are available for collection on the testing agencies’ online websites.
Leap IELTS Experts offers free resources, including task-specific PDFs, mock tests, sample papers, and other materials, if you’re planning to take the IELTS. In addition to doing your homework well, schedule your exam times in advance.
Frequency Asked Questions
You need to pass a few entrance exam for abroad studies. This includes language proficiency tests, and standardised entrance exams to study abroad. Some of the common English language proficiency exams are IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo. Popular standardised entrance exams to study abroad are GRE, GMAT, SAT, ACT, and LSAT.
The best English language proficiency test for you to apply for a foreign university depends upon your entry requirements. The IELTS is accepted by over 11,500 organisations worldwide. It is also easier and available both online and offline. However, if you wish to apply for an American University, it is important to check the entry requirements first. Most universities in the USA prefer the TOEFL over IELTS
The GRE or GMAT are the recommended foreign examinations to take after graduation if you’re applying to an MBA program overseas. You can select the one that best fits you if both of them get admitted to your university. In general, it seems that the GRE’s quantitative portion is simpler than the GMAT’s. It is also advised to take the GRE since it allows for calculator use during the exam. The vocabulary portion of the GMAT is still simpler, though. Select the exam based on your personal preferences.
Indeed, the UK accepts Duolingo. It is more common in the USA and Canada, though. A relatively new test of English language skills for studying overseas is called Duolingo. It evaluates your abilities in speaking, writing, listening, and reading. Given that the test only takes 45 minutes to complete and that the results are ready in two days, it is simpler to attend.
The majority of international colleges use the results of your standardized entrance exams or language competence tests as a criterion for reviewing your scholarship applications. As an illustration, a few well-known scholarships that use IELTS scores are:
The Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Program for IELTS Award by the British Council
India’s Charles Wallace Assurance Scholarships
Outstanding Scholarships in India
The MCAT is among the common exams to go abroad. To apply for a Medical degree in a foreign country, you need to clear the MCAT or the Medical College Admission Test. It is accepted by the USA, Canada, and 18 other countries. It tests your basic knowledge in the field. The validity of the test is 3 years.
To apply to a law school in the United States, you must first complete the LSAT, or Law School Admission Test. It is accepted in both Canada and Australia. It is mandatory while applying for a master’s degree in law. Most law universities in the United Kingdom prefer the LNAT, often known as the National Admissions Test for Law.
The LSAT is geared toward those who desire to study law overseas. This exam for going abroad evaluates the skills required in the courtroom: The LSAT consists of five sections: logical reasoning I, logical reasoning II, analytical reasoning, reading comprehension, an experimental component, and essay writing.
The test lasts approximately three and a half hours. The test is administered four times each year in India by the LSAC (Law School Admission Council). The test can only be taken three times per year, with a maximum of seven attempts to achieve a perfect score.