Getting a degree from a foreign university is popular among students nowadays mostly due to the diverse options available in foreign countries whether they are of personal growth or professional. If you are one such individual then you need to be well-versed in the concept of studying abroad. To study in a foreign university where English is the primary language, one needs to provide an English proficiency score.

Passing the exam is crucial for every study abroad aspirant. There are various types of English proficiency exams one can take. Some of the most common entrance exams to study abroad a student has to take are GMAT, GRE, SAT, LSAT, IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, ACT, and MCAT. However, you must go through the university guidelines to check the eligible English proficiency exam for college admission.

In this blog, you will come across all the major study abroad tests along with the list of common assessment exams a study abroad aspirant has to take. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the ocean of knowledge.

Top Exams to Study Abroad

International students applying to foreign universities need to take certain exams to be eligible for their shortlisted universities. In English-speaking countries, students would have to take English proficiency tests along with their standardised test to get into foreign universities. Below given is the list of exams to study abroad:

1. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the most popular English Proficiency Test for aspirants who wish to study, work, or migrate abroad. Every year, more than 3 million people take the IELTS exam. The British Council and IDP jointly own and conduct the IELTS exam.

The IELTS exam assesses the communication skills of the students in four segments such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The IELTS exam is scored from 0 to 9, with students who have a minimum score of 6 are accepted globally.

2. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language is another popular and globally recognised exam that is taken by the countries for admitting students to study abroad. More than 11,000 universities and 150 nations including the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada accept TOEFL scores of Indian students.

In this exam, students are required to sit for a four-hour examination administered by a computer. Also, it evaluates the mastery of the English language by scholars; this includes reading, writing, speaking, and listening comprehension. The TOEFL scores are only valid for two years after the result declaration when offering such tests for abroad studies. It is assessed by earning 0-30 points for each sector, leading to a 0-120 points overall. Each section gives a top score of 24-30.

3. PTE (Pearson Test of English)

Pearson Test of English (PTE) is an English proficiency test which is accepted by top universities in the USA, UK, Canada, and New Zealand. It gauges your ability to communicate by testing your writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills. The PTE test score is valid for 2 years for the students against the global scale of English.

The PTE test does not restrict candidates by age and does not restrict them from appearing for the PTE examination. You must be at least sixteen years of age; the exam fee is approximately Rs.13000, and this exam occurs several times in a year. PTE does not have any set of rules regarding the eligibility for the test or candidates. The exam takes place via computer and candidates are allowed a maximum of three hours.

4. Duolingo Test

Recently, the Duolingo Test has also been accepted in many countries such as the USA, Australia, and many more for students wishing to study abroad. The duration of the Duolingo test is 60 minutes.

The Duolingo Test is segregated into three segments: the introduction, adaptive test, and video interview. The Duolingo Test is scored between 10 to 160, 160 being the highest score for students with advanced knowledge of the English Language.

5. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)

The Scholastic Assessment Test is also conducted for UG programmes in both Canada and the United States. The test is in the written format and its purpose is to determine the subject level expertise in English and Mathematics. This exam to study abroad is divided into two sets; the first one is three hours and the other is three hours and fifty minutes the first section contains essay-based questions and the second section is on Mathematical questions. Moreover, the SAT scores are also recognised by different universities in the UK.

Do note that the SAT entails reading, writing, as well as mathematical skills in multiple-choice questions. Maths is then divided into two: with the use of a calculator and without the use of a calculator.

6. ACT (American College Testing)

American College Testing is a standardised test for the major universities’ admissions for undergraduate programmes in the USA. It measures the college academic preparedness of native and international students. Besides this, ACT scores are also recognised by Canadian universities. The students willing to study in the USA must take the three-hour American College Testing exam. However, those students who intend to apply to a particular college, have to decide between taking the SAT or the ACT.

Like most standardised tests, ACT is divided into four sections; English, Reading, Math, and Science. Furthermore, it ranges from one to 36 points for each of the divisions that are being assessed. Apart from the four sections, ACT has an option of writing an essay; this one comes with an additional 40 minutes.

7. GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test)

The Graduate Management Admission Test is known to be one of the best MBA programmes for overseas education. The GMAT exam is used for admission into the best business and management universities across the globe. The GMAT exam is used to evaluate student’s performance in analytical, writing, quantitative, reading, and communication skills.

This examination is administered and supervised by the Graduate Management Admission Council. The duration of the GMAT is 2 hours 15 minutes and this examination is valid for studying in Canada, USA, and Germany.

8. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

The Graduate Record Examination is also conducted and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), it is for admission to graduate school. The score of this particular study abroad exam is accepted in countries like the US, Canada and Australia. However, most European countries do not mandate GRE scores. Over 1200 business universities recognise the GRE globally.

GRE is a computer-based exam which includes students’ quantitative, writing and verbal skills. GRE consists of various sections such as analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning. Furthermore, this test is scored on a scale of 130 to 173; with 160s being the highest score.

9. MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)

The Medical College Admission Test is conducted and administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). A medical entrance examination for medical schools in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean Islands. This exam is conducted 25 times in 21 different countries in a year. They mainly apply it to gauge the students’ capacities in analysis, reasoning, psychology, and systems biology. Therefore, the MCAT is one of the tests taken for foreign studies in the medical field.

This exam has four sections: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior; and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills.

10. LSAT (Law School Admission Test)

LSAT is conducted and administered by the Law Admission Council. This exam to study abroad is of two types: LSAT Indian, and LSAT Abroad. The LSAT abroad is for admission into the best law schools in the USA, Australia and Canada. This test is administered six times a year; each session lasts three hours and thirty minutes.

There are three categories of scored LSAT; reading comprehension, logic games, and logical reasoning. In addition, there is one writing sample that is unscored throughout the test.

There are many other such study abroad exams for students wishing to gain overseas education; however, the list of exams we’ve covered are the most important ones you need to understand.

Conclusion

Choosing the right exam is crucial for students wanting to go for overseas education. Students are advised to check the country and university first before appearing for the examinations. MetaApply provides a one-stop platform for students by providing information and courses for all the study abroad examinations whether you’re looking for a standardised exam or any other English Proficiency Test.

With MetaApply’s TestPrep classes, you get an exclusive chance to connect with experts directly and crack your English Proficiency Exams within four to five weeks. So, if you are ready to study abroad and want complete assistance, then connect with us and get yourself consultations about the best university, online classes, financial aid, accommodations, and much more.

“A good education is a foundation for a better future.”- Elizabeth Warren

If you are a parent, then you will know how crucial it is for your child(ren) to get quality education for a brighter future. But if you are a student, then slowly but surely you will know the importance of quality education to build a stronger foundation for your shining future.

When we talk about the trends in today’s education, it seems like students and parents are more inclined toward practical education rather than going for theoretical knowledge. This has become one of the reasons why students prefer studying abroad. It is completely understandable if you are also a student who wishes to study abroad. Today, let’s start your journey with ease to your desired destination.

The Journey Abroad

The journey of overseas education is not an easy one. When you consider the chance of foreign yet practical education, there is a list of challenges that are always there. From finding the perfect course, university, financial aid, and a place to live there to minor yet critical challenges like feeling homesick, the planning and procedure of getting into your dream college, writing acceptable SOPs, and most importantly, clearing your English proficiency test.

As you may know, it is always better to take one step at a time, today, we are going to explore the path of English proficiency tests. In this blog, we will explore the step-by-step study guide to crack your IELTS and TOEFL exams. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

About IELTS

IELTS or International English Language Testing System, is one of the most popular English proficiency tests that is for work, study, and migration. If you are someone who wishes to study, work, or settle in a foreign land such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, USA, etc., then this is one such test that you must take.

An IELTS exam consists of four sections; reading, writing, speaking, and listening. As these four are the most basic yet crucial parts of your English communication in a foreign land, hence, it becomes compulsory for you to take the international entrance exam for study abroad. This 30-year-old English language test is 2 hours and 45 minutes and can either be conducted online or offline based on your preference.

In the IELTS test, there is nothing as such pass or fail, there are band scores between 0 to 9 that are valid for two years. 0 indicates that the candidate didn’t appear in the exam and 9 states that the candidate is an expert in the English language. The average score to get a visa is 5. However, there is one crucial thing for students to know, if you are planning to study in the UK, you don’t need to take the IELTS test if you have a 70% or more score in your high school’s English exam.

About TOEFL

TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is another famous English proficiency test that people intend to take to get a visa for their abroad work, study, or migration. Just like IELTS, a TOEFL exam also consists of four sections; reading, writing, listening, and speaking. To ensure you can easily find your way in an English-speaking land, you are asked to prove it with the help of such English proficiency tests.

The time duration for the TOEFL exam is between 2-2.5 hours, where the candidate gets an extra 30 minutes to do the final checks. TOEFL, just like other English proficiency tests such as DET and IETLS, is conducted to check your eligibility for an English-speaking foreign land. Your TOEFL score is accepted by more than 11,000 universities and 150+ countries like USA, UK, Canada, etc.

However, when we talk about the scorecard, validity, and exam type, then you get flexibility here as well. The score band of the TOEFL exam ranges between 0-120, with a validity of 2 years. There are two options of TOEFL exams available; TOEFL iBT (TOEFL internet-based test) and TOEFL PBT (paper-based test), which a candidate can appear in as many times as they want. However, there should be a gap of 12 days between each attempt.

As we complete our knowledge of the two different yet similar types of English proficiency tests, it is time to know the hacks with the help of which you can easily crack your ITELS or TOEFL exams.

How to Prepare for IELTS & TOEFL?

Preparing for any exam is an overwhelming task. The stress and burden of preparing constantly for an exam because the foundation of a better future depends on how well you perform in the exams. Just like every other exam, the English language proficiency tests are overwhelming too; however, with the correct strategy, you can easily crack your IELTS or TOEFL exam. This section is your ultimate step-by-step study guide to help you prepare for your English language proficiency test without worrying about anything. So, without further waiting, let’s start with the plan.

Know the Test and Format

The first and foremost step you should begin with when you start your preparations for the English language proficiency test is to know the test and format completely. Having a complete knowledge of what you are going to face in the exam will help you to prepare in a better manner. As you know there are four sections in IELTS and TOEFL exams, reading, writing, listening, and speaking, each of the sections contains different numbers of questions and timing. To be able to crack your English proficiency exams, you must be familiarise with the test type, the format, and even the type of questions that can be asked.

Set a Clear Goal

The next step you must follow in the process of IELTS preparation is to set a clear goal. As you know there are different band scores for IELTS, TOEFL, DET, etc., so it is better you know what band score you want to achieve. It is true that any English language exam is solely needed for an institution or organisation, when you know about what band score is needed to get in there, it becomes easier for you to focus on your test prep. A decided goal like the minimum TOEFL or IELTS score will help you in preparing for the exam, whether you need 8 weeks or 90 days to prepare for your exam.

Develop a Study Plan

Once you have set the goal for your IELTS or TOEFL exam and know the exam format, the next step is to develop a study plan. For efficient learning, try setting realistic study goals. You should begin by creating a timetable and dividing different time slots to practice the different English language skills. Sometimes, when you see the entire module all at once, it can be an overwhelming task, leading you to procrastinate. To be able to study efficiently, you should practice daily and instead of sitting for five hours straight, opt for the Pomodoro technique where you study for a while and then take a break.

Enhance Each Skill

As you know there are four sections in the English language proficiency test, mainly reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Based on your abilities, you will know how much time you need to invest in practicing the asked skills. Knowing that you must be fluent in each of the sections for a comfortable stay abroad, it is better if you practice every day. For some efficient tricks, you can use the morning time for reading and writing. When it comes to listening and speaking, you can use any time of the day to listen to more English content, besides that try thinking and communicating in English for fearless English speaking.

Take Mock Test

Finally, the only thing that will make you test-ready is when you take as many mock tests as possible. To know the format of an exam is good but to know what kind of questions you will be answering gives you a better understanding of the exam. So, in your IELTS preparation timeframe, it is better you not only work on the betterment of your skills but also take as many mock tests as you can. This will not only help you to know what kind of questions you will be facing, but how you can finish your exam within the allotted time. The mock test will help you figure out what your weaknesses are and how you can make them your strengths.

MetaApply- Your Personal Guide for Acing IELTS & TOEFL Exams

Talking about making your weaknesses your strengths, you need someone who can handhold you throughout the learning process. As you had your doubts about the test type or the ways to crack it, we believe this blog must have helped you. However, if you still need a better understanding of minimum TOEFL and IELTS scores or anything else, we’d suggest you connect with our experts today. Our professionals will help you prepare for your English language proficiency test in just 45 days. Your personal tutor will guide you on how you should plan your IELTS test prep sessions. Instead of feeling overwhelmed with too much on your plate, you will be more focused on one section at a time. So, if you are willing to build a stronger foundation for your future, it is better if you start today. Connect with us and take on the world of English speaking with ease.