Why Do These Seven Standard Exams Matter for Your Study Abroad Goals?
The corporate and educational sectors have both seen unprecedented growth as a result of the increased transparency and interconnectedness of the global market. There is a new global link between students, mentors, and professors as a result of the numerous programs offering student exchange to universities and colleges that allow students from all over the world to enroll in their graduate and postgraduate programs. We are fortunate to be living through the digital revolution when books and course materials from any reputable university are readily available online. After finishing secondary school, a lot of youngsters decide to study overseas. You may have a variety of options to follow your ideal job if you pursue a degree at a reputable foreign institution!
Standardized exams to study abroad
Let's look at the several standardized examinations one must pass to be eligible to enroll for an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a variety of disciplines of study:
Scholastic Aptitude Exam (SAT)
The College Board of the United States oversees the Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT exam. The score-awarding method was first used in 1926, and since then it has undergone several changes. Students who want to apply for undergraduate degrees overseas take the SAT, one of the well-known examinations to study abroad. The SAT syllabus is divided into three core areas, namely Reading, Writing, and Mathematics, with an alternative essay section. The exam lasts for three hours overall, with an extra 50 minutes for those who choose the essay component.
IELTS - International English Language Testing System
The most common English language exam in use today is IELTS. It rates all of your English proficiency, including reading, writing, hearing, and speaking. It was developed by some of the greatest language assessment experts in the world. The exam replicates how you will study, work, and live in a setting where English is the dominant language. At any approved testing facility, you may take the exam.
IELTS tests can be taken for academic purposes or for general purposes. It is suggested that you select Academics if you intend to study abroad.
TOEFL- Test of English as a Foreign Language
Just like IELTS, TOEFL also has 4 sections: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
The TOEFL, a computer-based standardized exam, is also used to evaluate an applicant's English ability. For many international students who speak English as a second language, it is a crucial step in the admissions process. The majority of applicants to US institutions take the TOEFL exam, which is frequently viewed as an alternative to the IELTS. Many colleges will still require overseas students to submit TOEFL results even if most have changed their exam requirements to reflect the interruptions brought on by the Covid-19 epidemic. Given that many students will have access to the at-home TOEFL, now is the ideal time for foreign students applying to international colleges to make plans for the TOEFL and how it will fit into their college preparation.
GMAT - Graduate Management Admissions Test
GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is used for candidates to business schools. An average score of 570 to 580 is typically regarded as a decent score to enter foreign universities. However, a score of at least 700 is always required for admission to the best management schools. The competition is fierce, and recent modifications to the test format, such as the addition of Integrated Reasoning, have heightened the stakes.
More than 600 locations worldwide offer the GMAT. More than 6000 business and management programs at more than 2100 colleges and universities in 114 countries recognize the results.
The computer-delivered exam is accessible all year round. The candidate must reserve a time slot in advance at a location that works for them.
GRE - Graduate Record Examination
Most postgraduate institutions require students to take the GRE as a component of the admission process, which is a multiple-choice exam. The GRE is approved by the majority of North American colleges and used to determine if an applicant will be accepted to an Ivy League university. Entry into graduate programs and MBA programs throughout the world typically requires passing the same multiple-choice, computer-based test.
In order to provide graduate and business schools with standardized criteria to assess applicants' credentials and preparation for graduate-level academic work, the test's creator, ETS, administers the GRE. Graduate and business school admissions committees evaluate your readiness for the demands of graduate academic study using your GRE score, academic record, and supporting documents. A strong GRE score will directly and favorably affect your prospects of admission to graduate or business schools, just as the GMAT.
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
These two examinations are standardized assessments for applicants seeking admission to programs with specific specialties. The Medical College Admission Test, often known as the MCAT, must be taken by the applicant if they wish to be admitted to a medical school in the United States.
To enroll in any law school in the USA, you must pass the LSAT (Law School Admission Test). Both of these exams measure a candidate's aptitude and subject matter expertise.
In the case of the MCAT, in addition to evaluating a candidate's understanding of the foundational concepts of pertinent disciplines, the exam also gauges their abilities in problem-solving and textual analysis.
However, the LSAT also emphasizes the candidate's capacity for logical and analytical thinking, as well as their reading and comprehension abilities. There are five MCQ-style parts, each lasting 35 minutes, in the test.
Candidates must take these tests in order to apply to almost all medical and law schools. There are over 71,000 students worldwide who take the MCAT every year. Around 110,000 students worldwide take the LSAT each year, which is also a very well-liked exam. It has become a requirement for admission in almost all law schools accredited by the American Bar Association.
Exams for Scholarships to study abroad
The GRE, GMAT, IELTS, and TOEFL are four of the most often used tests for studying abroad. Outstanding success on these Exams may enable students to qualify for financial aid, such as scholarships. Many colleges automatically evaluate applicants for scholarships based on how well they performed on these Exams. For various colleges and nations, different scholarship amounts apply. In order to make studying abroad accessible for academically outstanding students, the scholarship may pay the entire or a portion of the tuition.