Studying abroad enables students to access highly acclaimed and globally recognised education programs. Academic hubs such as the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and Germany, to name a few, attract the brightest talent. However, students must clear a few entrance exams to study abroad. So, which exams do you need to appear for overseas education? Let’s find out everything about these exams together!

Key Highlights

• What is a foreign study exam?
• Which exams do you need to take to study overseas?
• Entrance exams to seek admission at international universities
  • Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
  • Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
• English proficiency tests for the visa application process and for college admission
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
  • Duolingo English Test (DET)
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE)

What is a foreign study exam?
Many universities require students to clear standardised tests. These exams are a crucial part of the admission process. So, during university application, you must submit the results of these tests along with your academic transcripts, Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letter of Recommendation (LOR) and CV.

Which exams do you Indian students need to take to study overseas?

• Entrance exams to seek admission at international universities
• Foreign study exam: Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)

Students have to appear for this abroad entrance exam for all the graduate study programs, including business management programs. The GRE General Test is for graduate and MBA programs. If you have completed undergraduate courses in Math, Physics or Psychology stream, GRE Subject Test is for you.

Conducted by	The Educational Testing Services (ETS)
General test sections	Verbal Reasoning Quantitative Reasoning Analytical Writing
General test - Total duration (current)	3 hours and 45 minutes
General test - Interesting update	22 September 2023 onwards, the total time of the exam will be reduced by half.
GRE Subject Test - Total time	Maths: 2 hours and 50 minutes Physics and Psychology: 2 hours

 

• Entrance exam for an MBA abroad: Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

This test is specifically designed for business management aspirants. Did you know that ~ 5,400 MBA programs and ~2,000 B-schools accept GMAT?

Conducted by	Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
Interesting fact	9 out of 10 new MBA enrollments are based on GMAT score
GMAT sections	Quantitative Reasoning Verbal Reasoning     Integrated Reasoning          Analytical Writing Assessment
Total duration	3 hours 7 minutes
Number of questions	80 questions

 

• English proficiency tests for the visa application process and college admission

Students aspiring to pursue English-taught programs at international universities have to appear for English language tests. Most countries require you clear English language tests for visa applications.  


• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

IELTS Academic test is specifically designed for students and can be taken online or at the test centre.

Conducted by	The British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge Assessment English
Sections	Listening Reading Writing Speaking
Total duration	2 hours and 45 minutes
Registration fees	INR 16,250
Results	Computer-based: within 3-6 days Paper-based: 13 days

 

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Students can appear for TOEFL iBT, a paper-based exam, or TOEFL iBT Home Edition, an online exam.

Conducted by	Educational Testing Service (ETS)
Sections	Reading Listening Speaking Writing
Total duration	3 hours and 30 minutes
TOEFL test centers	~4,500

 

• Entrance exam for abroad studies: Duolingo English Test (DET)

Duolingo is popular as an AI-based intuitive test that offers accurate test scores. The difficulty-level increases or decreases depending on your performance. Surprisingly, the number of questions will also differ based on your answers.

Conducted by	Duolingo
Accepted by	4000 universities across 76+ countries
Total duration	1 hour
Results	Within 2 days

 

• Pearson Test of English (PTE)

PTE is just as popular as any other English language proficiency test. Approximately 3,300 varsities accept it. This abroad entrance exam is taken online or at the test centre.

Conducted by	Pearson PLC Group
Results	Within 48 hours
Duration	2 hours
Test centres	~350 centres across ~115 countries, including ~35 centres in India
Sections	Speaking Writing Reading Listening

 

Pro tip: Some universities have waived the entrance exams. So, please check with your college to understand which entrance exams and English proficiency exams you must take for university admission. At the same time, please check which English language exam is accepted by your host country.
So, this is everything you must know about the exams to study abroad. Get ready to plan your preparation for these standardised tests. If financial worries are troubling you, opt for an education loan to study abroad. Student loans are a prudent choice to finance your education independently. If you have any queries, please remember we are just a call away. All the best!