Foreign Exams in India

International standardized aptitude tests are conducted for admission into Universities abroad .The tests are conducted online and can be taken at a designated center offering them. You need to pay a registration fee and the test fee. There may be additional charges for any extra services requested. The fees are revised periodically and vary according to the format of the test. The tests normally last four hours divided into various sections with a mix of multiple questions and essay writing.

Major International tests

SAT a scholastic assessment test is administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test costs range from $73 to $99 for Indian students. The scores are used for admission into undergraduate courses in American colleges.
There are two main SAT tests. The first one, SAT Reasoning, tests literacy and writing skills divided over three sections- Critical reading, mathematics and essay writing- scored on a scale of 200-800. The second, SAT subject, tests knowledge in a particular major. SAT is offered multiple times year round with the dates announced in advanced. The scores are mailed to students six weeks after the test, or sent online three weeks after the test.

ETS also administers the GRE General Test held multiple times a month and the GRE Subject test normally held thrice a year. The General test measures verbal ability, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing in a mixed format of multiple choice and essay writing. The test costs $190 for Indian students with additional fees for scoring services such as reviews of scores, and special requests such as late fee or change of test center. Scores are used for admission into graduate or business schools in America. The GRE subject test is offered in limited subjects and although the test is not required for all graduate schools, it is a test of specific knowledge in a subject and good scores are considered an additional qualification by colleges.

Business schools worldwide, specially the Ivy League American ones, consider GMAT (Graduate management admission test) scores for admission into management courses. Administered by the GMA Council, this standardized exam tests analytical writing, quantitative ability, verbal and logical reasoning skills scored on a 200-800 range. The computer based test is adaptive and the questions change according to the candidate's skill in answering the first few questions. The test costs $250 and the scores are valid for five years. GMAT is offered once or twice a year.

Universities abroad also require an English language proficiency test from Indian students. The main ones are TOEFL and IELTS. These test reading, writing, speaking and listening skills in English and measure the ability to use and understand English at University level.

TOEFL tests scores are used by institutions in over 130 countries. TOEFL is also a mandatory visa requirement for jobs in English speaking countries, especially UK and Australia. It costs $165 and is offered both online or in a paper- based format at an authorized center.

The British Council and Cambridge ESOL jointly conduct the IELTS or the International Language Testing System, four times a month in over 500 centers across the world. The scores are measured across a band of 1-9. It costs INR 7600 in India.

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Last Updated on : February 15, 2019