A Comprehensive Guide To Top Exams For Studying Abroad

If you say “My biggest goal is to study abroad and be successful”, that’s fantastic. But did you know that reaching this goal involves passing certain exams? Alongside academic achievements, universities often require students to clear certain exams like IELTS, GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, and others to be admitted. In this blog, we’ll explore the top 5 exams you need to consider for studying abroad and delve into the exam scholarships to help you pursue your academic dream overseas.

Let’s first understand the importance of taking these exams.

Why Do You Need To Take These Exams?

Here are some compelling reasons for taking these exams:

• Demonstrates Language Proficiency: IELTS and TOEFL exams are widely recognized English testing systems in the world. According to reports, IELTS is accepted by over 12,000 organizations in over 140 countries. On the other hand, TOEFL is accepted by 7,500 institutions in more than 130 countries. The scores of the two exams demonstrate that you understand and use English effectively in an academic setting.

• Helps In Obtaining Financial Aid: Exams like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, and GMAT help students earn scholarships, which cover tuition fees, housing costs, and others. This makes studying abroad affordable.

• Assesses Your Academic Readiness: If you’re pursuing your higher studies, the courses often require analytical and problem-solving abilities. Exams like the GMAT and GRE evaluate both and certify if you are capable of handling academic challenges.

• Provides Pathway To Top Universities: Who wouldn’t want to study at a top university? Every student aspires to. Gaining admission to elite universities often requires achieving excellent scores on standardized tests. Given the high volume of applications from well-qualified candidates, exceptional test scores on standardized tests can give you the edge over other students.

• Assists In Acquiring Visas: If you are wondering “What do standardized tests have to do with visas? ”. Well, they play a critical role in obtaining visas. For example, the US considers standardized tests as one of the factors in giving visas. For them, good test scores and admission into excellent colleges are the two important factors for issuing visas.

Top 5 Exams For Studying Abroad

• IELTS
• TOEFL
• GRE
• GMAT
• SAT

Top Scholarship Exams For Studying Abroad

Here are some of the scholarship exams:

Name Of The Exam	Name Of The Scholarship	Amount	Duration Of Scholarship	Countries In Which You Can Study Via These Scholarships	Field Of Study	Application Deadline
GRE	Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships	Up to USD 100,000. The award covers tuition fees, healthcare, and one-way airfare for the scholar.	1-5 years	UK, US, and European Countries	Undergrad, Graduate Studies, and PhD	March 22nd
	DAAD Scholarships	EUR 934 per month	Entire Duration Of Your Studies	Germany	Undergrad, Graduate Studies, and PhD	Oct 20
GMAT	Kellogg F.C Austin Scholarship	Up to USD 2,000 for tuition fees	1-2 years	USA	MBA	Jan 1st
	INSEAD Scholarship	EUR 22,000 (average amount). It covers partial tuition fees, living expenses, and books & supplies	1-2 years	France and Singapore	MBA	Oct 30th
IELTS	Caroline Clapham IELTS Masters Award	1000 Pounds	Entire Duration Of Your Studies	UK	Master’s Programs	30th June
	IELTS USA Andrea Scott International Graduate Scholarship	USD 5000. It covers tuition fees	Typically 1 year	USA	Graduate Programs	22 April
TOEFL	TOEFL Grant For Doctoral Research In Language Assessment	Up to USD 6000. It covers research expenses, travel expenses, books, and supplies	Typically 1 year	Multiple Countries	PhD	Oct 15th
	TOEFL Young Students Series Research Program	USD 2,500. It covers research expenses	1 year	Multiple Countries	Doctoral Students	April 15
SAT	Fulbright Foreign Student Program	Covers costs such as living expenses, tuition fees, airfare, and health insurance	1-4 years	US	Master’s and PhD	April 1st tentatively
	Stamps Scholarship Program	USD 6000 to USD 90000. It covers full tuition fees, living expenses, book & supplies, and study abroad fees	Typically 4 years	US	Undergrad	The scholarship should be applied through partner schools. Therefore, the deadlines vary depending on the school.

Explore The Popular Tests

IELTS Test

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the well-recognized English tests accepted by most countries. This test is offered in collaboration with IDP and the British Council.

More than 4 million students have taken the IELTS test worldwide, making it a popular English testing system. Just like TOEFL, IELTS includes four segments namely reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Each segment has a score range of 0 to 9, and you need an average score of 6 in all the segments to be accepted by top universities across the globe.

Read more about IELTS test.

TOEFL Test

TOEFL (Test Of English As A Foreign Language) is another popular English testing system, whose scores are accepted by many universities across the globe. TOEFL is offered by ETS (Educational Testing Service). The test is offered in two formats – TOEFL iBT and TOEFL PBT. The TOEFL iBT test is taken online while TOEFL PBT is taken offline.

TOEFL includes four segments, which are speaking, writing, listening, and reading. Each segment has a score range of 0 to 30, and you need an average score of 20 to 25 to be accepted in top universities worldwide.

Read more about TOEFL exam pattern.

GRE Test

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) is administered by ETS. It is an essential test for admission into STEM programs. The test assesses analytical and problem-solving skills. It covers three sections, which are Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.

The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning have a score range of 130 to 170 while the Analytical Writing section has a score range of 0 to 6. A score of 160 above in verbal and quantitative reasoning, and 5 in analytical writing is necessary to get admission into top universities.

GMAT Test

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is owned and operated by The Graduate Management Admission Council. The test assesses critical thinking, analytical thinking, and data analysis skills, all of which are important for business and management.

GMAT consists of four segments, which are Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning.

• AWA score range: 0 to 6
• Integrated Reasoning score range: 1 to 8
• Quantitative Reasoning score range: 6 to 51
• Verbal Reasoning score range: 6 to 51

Get the GMAT Free Resources for preparation.

SAT Test

SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is a widely used test for college admissions in the US. It is operated by the College Board, a non-profit organization in the US. It is designed to evaluate a range of skills, including mathematical skills, reading skills, and more.

The test includes sections such as reading, writing, mathematics, and essay (optional). The total score range of the test is 400 to 1600. To get into top-tier colleges, a student must score around 1400 to 1600. For average to good schools, you need a score anywhere between 1100 to 1300.

Read in detail about the SAT exam format and syllabus.

Conclusion

Each of these exams plays a crucial role in studying abroad. Whether it is the GRE, GMAT, IELTS, SAT, or TOEFL, prepare diligently for each exam and enhance your chances of securing a place at prestigious colleges and universities worldwide.

FAQs