Qualifying exams to study abroad

 

Over the last few years, the foreign education craze has increased significantly among the students. According to the research done on this subject, about 1.5 lakh Indian students fill out forms to study overseas, and about 25 thousand students are studying in the US alone. After the United States, a large number of students are going to study in countries like Britain, Australia, Canada, Singapore, New Zealand etc.  But before getting a seat in a prestigious institute / university in foreign countries especially European countries you must clear some tests. TOEFL, GRE, GMAT and SAT scores are valid for admission in educational institutions of the United States of America. Admission in UK institutions requires GCE to be cleared. In countries such as Canada, Ireland and New Zealand, TOEFL or IELTS has to pass. If you are thinking of moving towards Australia, then the IELTS score is valid in all the educational institutions here. Here you will find the details of all the important examinations.

 

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

As it is very important to have proper knowledge of English language for study in most of the universities where international students study, through IELTS exam The knowledge of English of the student is tested. This examination is organized jointly by the British Council, Cambridge University, ESOL and IDP Education, Australia. IELTS scores are valid in most of the US institutions, in addition to academic institutions in Australia, UK, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and about 35 more countries round the globe.

For the convenience of Indian students this examination is organized twice a month in four metro cities in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai. More information could be collected from

  1. IDP Education Australia, Nehru Palace, New Delhi and
  2. British Council, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi.

 

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Almost all students who want to study abroad have to pass this entrance examination related to the English Language   for admission in most of the (more than 120) countries including US. It is mandatory for all the candidates to pass this test and the application form is not considered without it.   For almost all courses of post-graduate level in US, UK and Newziland, it is necessary to show the score card. Although TOEFL’s score is valid for two years, but most of the institutes ask fresh scores only. Now IBT i.e. Internet Based Test is taken at most centres. The TOEFL Test mainly consists of reading, listening, writing and speaking (IBT only) examination. There are four sections in this test. – The ability to understand English language in different sections and English grammar knowledge, ability to read, writing etc. is evaluated in this examination of 667 points. Admission in under graduation courses in reputed colleges and universities is possible only if the student has scored 500 points.  For the post-graduate and research level, a score of 550 points is required.

Operation of Examination is conducted by TOEFL / TSE Services Post Office Box-6151, Educational Testing Service, Presets New Jersey -00541.6151 USA and in India one can get more information from

  1. Director Institute of Psychological and Educational Measurement, 119 W 25 A, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Civil Lines, Allahabad-11001.
  2. United States Educational Foundation in India; Full Bright House 12, Hail Road, New Delhi-110001, Phone (011) 23328944 and
  3. U.SEFI, 38A, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Kolkata-700071

 

GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test)

For admission in management colleges it is necessary to write GMAT exam.  This exam started in1953 about 65yrs back. There are about 2000 business schools in the world, where the GMAT score is valid. More than 7000 graduate management programmes worldwide accept GMAT scores. Annually about 3,00,000 students from all over the worlds take this exam at 600 test centres in  about 100 countries. G-MAT exam is organized four times every year for admission in the management courses, in which the student’s verbal, managerial interest is used to evaluate mathematical information and problem solving skills.  it is usually divided into three sections – Analytical Writing Assessment, Quantitative and Verbal. Generally, questions related to reasoning, comprehension, problem solving etc. are asked. GMAT score / grade are valid for 5 years. Knowledge skill tested is Quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, integrated reasoning, and analytical writing. Total score (from verbal and quantitative sections only): 200 to 800 two-thirds of test takers score between 400 and 600. Score / grade range in different sections are

  1. Quantitative section: 0 to 60, in 1 point increments,
    2. Verbal section: 0 to 60, in 1 point increments,
    3. Integrated reasoning section: 1 to 8, in 1 point increments,
    4. Analytical writing assessment: 0.0 to 6.0, in 0.5 point increments.

In almost all the metro and even in tier 2 cities you can see many coaching institutes who help the students in preparation of GMAT.   For detailed information please do correspondence with

  1. Graduate Management Admission Test, Educational Testing Service PO Box G-103, Princeton, New Jersey -085416103 USA

 

SAT (Scolastic Assessment Test)

For admissions in US colleges and universities, it has to go through a set called Scolastic Assessment Test (SAT). The SAT exam is also very important for studying in many other developed countries.  This test is conducted by ETS (Educational Testing Service). Through this, knowledge of your understanding ability, maths and verbal realization is examined. Objective questions are asked in the examination. Duration of the test is three hours and the objective of this examination is to examine the literal and arithmetic potential. Two types of set examinations are organized SAT- Based on the argument, the Test of Reasoning is done based on the SAT-2 subject, its duration is only one hour, and the question paper is multi-faceted. Some universities   have not made it mandatory to join the SAT-2 exam. For detailed information related to the examination, please contact-

  1. United States Foundation in India, New Delhi
  2. Institute of Psychological and Educational Measurement, 119/25 A, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Allahabad-11001
  3. USA Educational Foundation of India, ‘Sandeep’ New Marine Lines, Mumbai-400002
  4. USA Educational Foundation (American Setter) of India 12, Hail Road, New Delhi-110001
  5. USA Educational Foundation of India, USA Consulate, Chennai-600006
  6. USA Educational Foundation of India, 38A, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Kolkata-700071

 

L.SAT (Law School Admission Test)

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a standardised Law entrance test that is taken for admission at law schools in USA, Canada and some other countries. Administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) for prospective law school candidates, the LSAT is designed to assess reading comprehension, logical, and verbal reasoning proficiencies. Every year more than 1,00,000 students take these exam to get admission in top and reputed colleges. Duration‎ of the examination is ‎35 minutes for each of the 6 sections for a total of 3 hours and 30 minutes (excluding breaks) and the skills tested are Reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, and (unscored) writing.  Score range is 120 to 180. Score validity is- Scores of up to 12 tests taken since 1 June 2008. In 2018, this exam will held 5 times: February, June, July, September, and November. For more details about L-SAT one can contact

Law School Admission Council Box-2000, New Town, Pennsylvania-18940

 

GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

Admission in many graduate colleges in America is based on GRE scores. Generally GRE is similar to the SAT Exam. GRE is computer based examination. This test is compulsory   for admission to master’s degree courses and doctorate level courses. The GRE is owned and administered by Educational Testing Service who created it in 1949. The exam consists of mainly three sections and, the language knowledge, logical ability and mathematical evaluation of the candidates are evaluated. Fees for GRE® General Test are $205 worldwide. Fees for GRE Subject test is $150 globally. Total time duration is and the score varies from 130 to 170 (per section). Score of Analytical writing varies from 1 to 6.  The validity of the scores is for five years.

The student can contact the centre registrar at the following address for registration.

  1. Silver Testing Services Pvt. Ltd., Senior Plaza 160 A. Gautam Nagar, Yusuf Sarai Behind Indian Oil Building, New Delhi-110049, Phone (011) 26511649

 

MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)

AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)   organizes   The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) and is a required exam for admission to medical schools in the USA and Canada   and Australia. it is a standardized computer-based exam and Questions about the Verbal Reasoning, Physical Science, Biological Science, and Writing Samples are asked.  The first three sections contain multiple choice tests. MCAT is administered 25 times in a year. You can visit the International MCAT Testing Calendar to have a look at the schedule for the current year.

MCAT does not have test centres in India. If a student is interested he would have to travel to nearby countries like Thailand, Malaysia or Singapore to take the exam.

 

Test of English for International Communication

This test is for the knowledge of English language. Business organizations use it to take the English language test. In this, questions related to corporate development, finance, budgeting, corporate property, IT, personal, technical matters, health and business travel are asked.

 

TWE (Test of Written English)

Often this test is conducted with TOEFL but its points are not added to the TOEFL score. The Test of Written English (TWE) is a 30-minute essay test that has recently been offered in conjunction with the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) four times a year. The purpose of the test is to give TOEFL candidates the “opportunity to demonstrate their ability to write in English. Through this examination, writing Capacity of the student is checked.

For detailed information about this examination, contact-

  1. The British Council, British High Commission, 17 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi

 

TSE (Test of Speaking English)

This score is required for the application of scholarship in most of the scholarship offered for study in English speaking countries.    This test is also done on the same day with the TOEFL, but it does not add points to the TOEFL score card. It is basically an oral test developed by Educational Testing Service which measured the ability of non-native English speakers to communicate effectively.  There are two sections of this examination – TSE-A for Research Scholars and ‘TSE-P’ for conducting certificates in vocational courses.