Top 7 Entrance Exams for Indian Students Who Want to Study Abroad

Studying abroad is now easier than ever. In terms of courses, nations, or universities, you have a lot of excellent possibilities for higher education. At the same time, it’s simple to become lost in a course’s prerequisites. This may cause you to become confused about what your academic status should be, how your profile should appear, and which examinations you should take to qualify for study abroad. Well, there are quite a few entrance exams available for Indian students who want to study abroad. Here are the most common and well-liked ones.

Entrance Exams	Full Form	Validity	Accepted in Countries
IELTS	International English Language Testing System	2 years	UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
TOEFL	Test of English as Foreign Language	2 years	Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand
PTE	Pearson Test of English	2 years	Australia, UK, USA
GMAT	Graduate Management Admission Test	5 years	US, Canada, Germany
GRE	Graduate Record Examination	5 years	UK, USA, Canada
SAT	Scholastic Aptitude Test	5 years	USA, Canada, Germany
ACT	American College Testing	5 years	USA

1. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

IELTS or International English Language Testing System is an English language assessment test mostly taken by international students who desire to study abroad. It is one of the most popular entrance exams not only for Indian students but for study abroad aspiriants all over the world. The British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations jointly administer the IELTS exam. It is accepted by over 9000 countries worldwide, including universities in Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The types of examination conducted are paper-based (PBT) and internet-based (iBT). 

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

TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language gauges non-native English speakers’ ability for college-level analysis and comprehension of the language. Many colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many other countries require applicants to have a minimum TOEFL score in to be considered for admission. It is accepted by over 8,500 universities in 130 countries all over the world. The types of examination conducted are Academic and General. 

3. PTE (Pearson Test of English)

PTE or Pearson Test of English test differs significantly from IELTS and TOEFL. The findings and scoring pattern serve as the primary distinguishing feature. Since all aspects of the tests are computerized, the results are released significantly more quickly in 5 days. This qualifies it for individuals who are a little short on time. Another feature of this test is that it emphasises conversational English rather than academic English. The types of examination conducted are Academic and General. It is accepted in countries like Australia, the US, UK. Also, it can be taken online and can be booked 24 hours in advance. 

IELTS, TOEFL and PTE are the three primary English language assessment exams for students who want to study abroad after high school graduation, 12th-grade year, or 10th-grade year.

4. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

This test is the top choice for MBA candidates who want to study abroad. Top business and management institutions from around the world use it as part of their admissions process. It assesses abilities essential for management and business, including problem-solving, logical and critical thinking, analytical writing, and more. In 114 countries, the GMAT is a requirement for admission to more than 21,000 universities and colleges. The typical GMAT score is between 570 and 580. A score of at least 700 is required for elite schools.

5. GRE (Graduate Record Examination) 

Another exam that many Indian students take is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which is required for admission to hundreds of graduate and business schools worldwide, including those in the United States, Canada, and Australia. These tests assess your readiness to pursue a master’s or postgraduate degree at a university abroad. They test your ability for speech, math, and general analysis. It evaluates a candidate’s linguistic, quantitative, and all-around analytical abilities. To pursue a Master of Science (MS) or MBA, applicants to graduate programmes, particularly in the USA, must pass this exam. 

6. SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) 

The SAT is a worldwide recognised college entrance test that is primarily used to assess the written, verbal, and mathematical abilities of candidates. Indian students who wish to study undergraduate courses abroad go for this entrance exam. The SAT exam is required of all applicants to college programmes, especially in the US and Canada. Most UK universities also accept SAT scores.

7. ACT (American College Testing)

The American College Testing (ACT) exam is a required component of American college and university admissions for undergraduate courses. Both domestic and international students are evaluated by ACT for their academic preparedness for college. It was created to assess candidates’ writing, mathematical, verbal, and scientific abilities.

You can either write the SAT or the ACT, depending on the college you intend to apply to for admission. Indian students who want to study abroad after high school, especially in the US, can take one of these tests.

This blog will assist students in determining the tests they must take in order to enrol in particular courses at international universities and colleges. Start your preparation and head over to the blogs we have linked for each exam to study abroad, such as Tips to boost your IELTS preparation, How to crack TOEFL in 3 months?, PTE Exam: Everything you need to know!