Top 10 Exams for Studying Abroad: IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and More!

As Indian students migrate to developed countries, they often find themselves facing the challenge of language exams when going abroad. English, the primary mode of communication in most developed countries, is a key requirement. This underscores the importance of clearing English proficiency exams before you apply to study abroad, as they are a crucial step in your migration journey.

IELTS and TOEFL are the most popular English proficiency exams worldwide. These scorecards are not just for educational purposes but also contribute to professional aspects for those migrating for job purposes. Head over to each of them in detail.

The IELTS exam (International English Language Testing System) is trusted by more than 12,000 organisations worldwide. This English exam for abroad has two versions: Academic and General. Both can be attempted on a computer or with pen and paper at your assigned test centre.

IDP, the British Council, and Cambridge Assessment English around the globe conduct the IELTS English exam abroad. Yet, in India, IDP is the sole body conducting IELTS tests. This English exam for abroad assesses your listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills.

Every educational institution has its minimum score eligibility criterion for this test. To be eligible to pursue a degree from a top-notch university, you must score at or above 6. But you must check with your preferred institution's IELTS score requirements before you start applying to them.

The IELTS English exam for abroad can be given by computer seven days a week, three times a day, while paper-based IELTS exams are available on four fixed dates a month.

The TOEFL exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language) evaluates non-native English speakers' English language knowledge and proficiency. These scores are required for admission to universities and colleges in developed countries like Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and many others.

There are two ways to take this exam: paper-based and internet-based; however, the internet-based test is more popular than the paper-based test.

The test is structured as follows:

There is no TOEFL passing score. Most universities prefer a minimum score of 90-100. This test is as widely accepted as IELTS in Australia and the United Kingdom, whereas American educational institutions prefer TOEFL over IELTS.

ETS schedules the TOEFL exam over 60 times yearly, 4-5 times a month. It allows you to select your preferred TOEFL date, as many options are available each month.

After exploring IELTS and TOEFL separately, let’s take a deeper look at the comparison chart for both.

Note: The duration, minimum score, and frequency of the test vary depending on the test type and other criteria.

PTE Exam (Pearson Test of English) is trusted by 3,500+ universities and colleges worldwide and well-recognised by governments and professional bodies. It differs from the preceding two in several ways.

First and foremost, this test's scoring patterns differ significantly due to its complete reliance on computerised technologies. Second, being a computer-based test, its results come quicker than the other proficiency tests. Ultimately, its results are declared within 5 days of the test.

Therefore, a PTE Exam is advised when time is limited due to restricted availability or a delayed results announcement.

PTE’s majority focus is on daily purposes instead of academic level. It is conducted all round the year. You can figure out the availability of the test date depending on your test type and test centre.

Now that you have learned about the IELTS and PTE Exams individually, you should be aware of their differences:

Duolingo is one of the most recent language competence exams for going abroad utilised by Indian students. Despite the fact over 5000 universities accept Duolingo, you also finish this test in 1 hour and get results in 2 days. It evaluates your ability to use English in real-world scenarios.

The test consists of four modules: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It is available online and offline and is more popular in the United States and Canada.

The test is structured as follows:

Duolingo is excellent when you need to take a test and get the results immediately. After you take the Duolingo test, you will receive your results within two days.

Below is a table of the comparative study to gain more insight into the tests.

Well, you have learned about language proficiency, which is the most essential and first-priority-based exam to attempt. You also have to check what type of program your course is and whether it needs certain specific standardised exams or certifications.

Some courses require you to clear an entrance exam before enrolling; the SAT and ACT are needed for some undergraduate degrees, while the GRE and GMAT are required for some postgraduate degrees. These examinations evaluate your problem-solving, critical thinking, writing skills, and knowledge of scientific principles and concepts directly related to studying a specific niche.

You may need to pass a standardised entrance exam, depending on your course. Check out the table below describing exam requirements as per your course choice.

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) exam, administered by the College Board, is a standardised test for pursuing undergraduate courses, particularly in the USA, UK, or Canada. This test evaluates written, verbal, and mathematical skills. Initially, it was paper-based, but now its new version, the SAT Digital Exam, has been introduced.

However, you should conduct extensive research on the selection criteria for the desired universities and courses before taking the SAT exam to study abroad. Check out the key highlights in the below table.

Aside from the General SAT, there are subject-specific SATs. The cost of a SAT Subject Test is approximately INR 7435. However, most universities no longer refer to subject-specific tests.

ACT (American College Testing) is a standardised test used to acquire admissions into universities in USA for various undergraduate courses. Several universities and colleges outside the United States also accept it.

The ACT evaluates the academic readiness of both international and native students for specific undergraduate courses. This test checks aspiring students' written, mathematical, verbal, and scientific skills.

The key highlights are explained below in the table as follow:

However, most universities and colleges accept scores above 16, but no specific passing score is defined.

The LSAT (Law School Admission Test) is needed for pursuing a Master's degree in Law at universities in the USA. It is administered by the Law School Admission Council and is recognised by the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The key highlights are:

Even though law schools widely accept the LSAT, the LNAT, or National Admissions Test for Law, is valid in UK law colleges.

GRE Exam (Graduate Record Examinations) is one of the most widespread assessments endured by Indian students who want to study in USA, Canada, and thousands of other business schools around the world.

It evaluates your verbal, mathematical, and general analytical abilities and is required for those who wish to pursue a postgraduate degree in science (MS) or business administration (MBA) in the USA.

The key highlights of the test are given below:

In addition to the general GRE, there are GRE Subjects. The cost of GRE subjects in India is INR 14,500. However, this is not required at most universities.

The GMAT Exam (Graduate Management Admission Test) is especially tailored for students who want to pursue an MBA degree abroad. It is extremely important as an admission eligibility test for top business schools and management colleges worldwide.

The GMAT Exam evaluates your problem-solving, critical, logical, reasoning, and analytical skills and is required for admission to over 21,000 universities and colleges in 114 countries. The table below provides some key highlights:

In order to get admission to top-notch international universities, you must score more than 570 points. However, certain educational institutions also accept a minimum score of 700.

MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is a standardised computer-based exam only for medical school admissions. Every year, over 85,000 students attempt this exam for the USA, Canada, and many other exams to go abroad.

The MCAT test, designed by the Association of American Medical Colleges, uses multiple-choice examination patterns. Its primary goal is to assess individuals' knowledge of science and medicine. Head down to the below table explaining some key highlights:

The MCAT is valid in the USA and most medical institutes in Canada, but it is replaced by the UCAT or University Clinical Aptitude Test in the UK. 

Besides standardised exams, some preferred study-abroad destinations exams for foreign studies vary depending on your course, country, or university.

If you don't know what exams you need to study abroad, you must follow university's set eligibility criteria and take the required exam to go abroad. The following is a list of the exams to be given to study abroad, organised in a table with their respective courses and countries:

The table lists the key standardised tests required in different countries and for specific academic programs. It's worth noting that there are exceptions for certain universities and courses.

For instance, while the LSAT is the primary law entrance exam in the USA and Canada, the UK typically uses the LNAT. However, some UK universities also accept the LSAT.

Similar entry requirements exist in other popular study-abroad destinations, such as Australia and New Zealand. These countries primarily use IELTS and PTE for language proficiency tests. 

If you have difficulty financing your study abroad plans, you can apply for one of the various scholarships available to Indian students. Scholarships vary according to the country, university, and program you apply to. The requirements for these scholarships differ from one another.

The following are some of the most common entrance exams for foreign studies and the popular scholarships accompanying them.

The minimum score requirements and other eligibility criteria differ for each scholarship. Also, ensure that the program/university you're applying to accepts these scholarships.

You might be wondering if overseas education is possible after the 10th or 12th when you plan ahead of time by the entry requirements. For instance, if you wish to study after the 10th, you must pass the IELTS exam or other language tests before the application deadline.

You must allow enough time for exam preparation if you hope to pass your test on time. So, with proper planning, you can study abroad after completing your 10th/12th grade. Some common entrance exams for foreign studies you can consider are IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, GMAT, and GRE. You can choose your exams to go abroad based on your study abroad destination.

Countries like the UK, Canada, and New Zealand suggest the IELTS exam as a prerequisite, while some, like the USA, refer to the TOEFL. The PTE Exam is the most commonly recommended test in Australia. Choose your exams for foreign studies wisely.

To conclude, studying abroad provides various cultural and educational experiences, yet it requires navigating diverse exams for foreign studies. Indian students must pass an English proficiency exam (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE) mandatorily, alongside some standardised exams (SAT, GRE, GMAT), depending on their course, country, and university. For your successful study abroad journey, you must better prepare and acquire a good knowledge of each test and its requirements.

If you need more clarification or want to prepare for these exams to study abroad, we encourage you to speak with our expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). If you cannot travel to our offices, we offer free online counselling services via our website. Our dedicated counsellors will provide the best guidance regarding your application to study overseas. Apart from this, our expert counsellors will also offer assistance in the visa process for your successful study abroad journey. Don't hesitate to contact us at application02@meridean.org or call us at 1800-1230-00011.

Question: What are the most common English proficiency tests required for studying abroad?

Answer: There are many English proficiency tests for Indian students, but the most common exams worldwide are IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo.

Question: Which standardised tests are required for UG programs in the USA?

Answer: Standardised tests mainly depend on what kind of program you choose,, yet the SAT or ACT Exams are usually required for undergraduate courses in the USA.

Question: What is the difference between the IELTS Academic and General Training?

Answer: The difference between the both is straightforward, and the intent of the person going abroad defines it. IELTS Academic is for study purposes only, whereas IELTS General is for work or immigration purposes to an English-speaking country

Question: How long are TOEFL and IELTS scores valid?

Answer: The scorecard for the IELTS and TOEFL exams is valid for 2 years from the test date. You must re-attempt for English proficiency once the date expires.

Question: Do I need to take the GRE or GMAT for postgraduate programs?

Answer: Standardised exams for masters also depend on which program you choose. For instance, the GRE Exam is required for MS courses, and the GMAT is typically required for MBA programs.

Question: Are any scholarships available for students performing well on these exams?

Answer: Yes, there are numerous scholarships available for Indian students, such as the British Council IELTS Award, ETS TOEFL scholarships, and GMAT-specific scholarships for top-notch business schools.

Question: Can I retake these exams if I am not satisfied with my score?

Answer: Yes, many standardised tests, including IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT, allow you to retake the exam multiple times. However, there may be some restrictions on the number of times and how frequently you can take the exams within a specified period.

Question: Is the Duolingo English Test widely accepted for university admissions?

Answer: The Duolingo English Test is officially accepted by over 5000 universities and institutions worldwide, and more are joining every day.

Question: What are the typical costs associated with these exams?

Answer: The costs associated with these exams vary depending on your choice. IELTS and PTE exams’ fees are around INR 17,000, the TOEFL Exam is around INR 16,900, the GRE Exam is around INR 22,550, and the GMAT Exam is around INR 25,086.

Question: How can I find out the specific exam requirements for my chosen university?

Answer: To check specific exam criteria and requirements for your desired university, you must visit the official website for admission requirements or contact the admissions office for accurate information.