📚 Study Abroad Exams
To study in top universities worldwide, students need to take specific standardized exams that test their language proficiency and academic skills. Below is a comprehensive guide to the most common exams required for studying abroad
2️⃣ TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
📌 Accepted In: USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Europe
📌 Purpose: Evaluates academic English skills for university admissions
📌 Test Format:
✔ Reading (35-56 mins) – 3-4 passages & 30-40 questions
✔ Listening (41-57 mins) – 4-6 lectures & 6 questions each
✔ Speaking (17 mins) – 4 tasks
✔ Writing (50 mins) – 2 tasks (Essay & Integrated writing)
💰 Cost: ₹16,900 ($190 approx.)
🎯 Scoring: 0-120; universities require 80-100+
📆 Validity: 2 years
3️⃣ PTE (Pearson Test of English)
📌 Accepted In: Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, UK
📌 Purpose: AI-based English test for academic purposes
📌 Test Format:
✔ Speaking & Writing (54-67 mins) – Read aloud, Repeat sentences, Essay writing
✔ Reading (29-30 mins) – Multiple choice, Fill in the blanks
✔ Listening (30-43 mins) – Summarizing, MCQs, Fill in the blanks
💰 Cost: ₹15,900
🎯 Scoring: 10-90; universities require 55-75+
📆 Validity: 2 years
4️⃣ Duolingo English Test (DET)
📌 Accepted In: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Europe
📌 Purpose: Fast, online English proficiency test for university admissions
📌 Test Format:
✔ Adaptive Test (45 mins) – Measures reading, listening, writing, speaking
✔ Video Interview (10 mins) – Record answers to open-ended questions
💰 Cost: ₹4,200 ($49)
🎯 Scoring: 10-160; universities require 100-130+
📆 Validity: 2 years
5️⃣ GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
Accepted For: Master’s, Ph.D. (USA, Canada, Europe, Australia)
Purpose: Tests analytical and quantitative skills for graduate programs
Test Format:
Analytical Writing (60 mins) – 2 essays
Verbal Reasoning (60 mins) – Reading comprehension, Sentence equivalence
Quantitative Reasoning (70 mins) – Algebra, Geometry, Data analysis
Cost: ₹22,550 ($228)
Scoring: 260-340; top universities require 300+
Validity: 5 years
6️⃣ GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
📌 Accepted For: MBA & Business Schools (USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Europe)
📌 Purpose: Tests business-related analytical and quantitative skills
📌 Test Format:
✔ Analytical Writing (30 mins) – Argument analysis essay
✔ Integrated Reasoning (30 mins) – Data interpretation
✔ Quantitative Reasoning (62 mins) – Problem-solving, Data sufficiency
✔ Verbal Reasoning (65 mins) – Reading comprehension, Sentence correction
💰 Cost: ₹23,000 ($275)
🎯 Scoring: 200-800; top business schools require 600+
📆 Validity: 5 years
SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
📌 Accepted For: Bachelor’s programs (USA, Canada, UK, Europe)
📌 Purpose: Tests academic readiness for undergraduate studies
📌 Test Format:
✔ Reading (65 mins) – Comprehension passages
✔ Writing & Language (35 mins) – Grammar, sentence correction
✔ Math (80 mins) – Algebra, Geometry, Data analysis
💰 Cost: ₹7,500 – ₹8,000 ($55 – $60)
🎯 Scoring: 400-1600; top universities require 1300+
📆 Validity: 5 years
| Exam | Ideal for | Required in | Score Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PR | UK, Canada, Australia, USA, Europe | 0-9 Bands |
| TOEFL | Master’s, Ph.D. | USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Germany | 0-120 |
| PTE | Bachelor’s, Master’s | Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK | 10-90 |
| Duolingo | Bachelor’s, Master’s | USA, Canada, UK, Australia | 10-160 |
| GRE | Master’s, Ph.D. | USA, Canada, Europe | 260-340 |
| GMAT | MBA, Business Schools | USA, UK, Canada, Europe | 200-800 |
| SAT | Bachelor’s | USA, Canada, Europe | 400-1600 |