6 Entrance exams to study abroad for Indian students 2023

Every year, more than 5 million Indian students pursue their aspirations of studying overseas. Before applying, you must complete a language assessment test and an admissions test to start your journey. The dilemma of which study abroad examinations I must take to study abroad arises from the abundance of common admission exams in different international locations. That question cannot have a single solution because it is dependent on a number of variables. These consist of:

Your chosen field of study (law, business, medicine, etc.)
Your course’s level (basic, undergraduate, postgraduate…)
whichever nation you choose
Choose a university, please

6 Entrance exams for foreign universities

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT)
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
American College Testing (ACT)
Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

1. Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). It evaluates applicants for admission to postgraduate programmes abroad. In a 3 hour, 45 minute test, candidates’ verbal, quantitative, and overall analytical thinking skills are assessed.

Given that the GRE is one of the most important exams taken in order to pursue an MBA overseas, numerous business schools all over the world accept it for their business programmes. This test is offered all year round in India; there are no set dates for it. If you’re not happy with your results, you can retake the exam up to five times within a calendar year, with a gap of 21 days between each try.

Academic eligibility	None
Age limit	None
Test cost	Rs. 15,600 approximately.
Score validity	Five years
Countries that accept these scores	Most universities in the USA, Canada, and some universities in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
Major courses	MBA, MS, and other postgraduate courses.

2. Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT)

Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) administration is handled by Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC). It is “the exam” to pursue an MBA overseas. Analytical Writing, Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Reasoning, and Integrated Reasoning are the four areas of the test. The GMAT lasts 3 hours, 7 minutes in total.

GMAT exams can be attempted at any time of the year because there are no set dates for them. However, it is generally advisable to schedule the test session two to three months in advance. This test is available in 39 places around India. If you’re not happy with your result, you can retake the exam up to five times within a calendar year, with a minimum of 16 days separating each try.

Academic eligibility	None
Age limit	You need to be at least 18 years old at the time of test-taking. If you are 13 – 17 years old, you can take the test after submitting a written statement of permission from a parent or a guardian.
Test cost	Rs. 17,700 approximately.
Score validity	Five Years.
Countries that accept these scores	Over 2100 educational institutions located in 114 countries, including the USA and Canada, accept these scores.
Major courses	MBA and other business-related courses.

3. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

Around the world, there are numerous school boards with various educational systems. Due of this, it is highly challenging to evaluate students only on their high school grades. Universities in the USA use the SAT as a benchmark to compare applicants from various school boards in terms of their academic aptitude.

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is administered by the American College Board. When applying for admission to universities abroad after high school, it’s one of the tests you need to take.Three high school-level subjects make up the test: reading, writing, and mathematics. Additionally, you have the choice of taking a second essay section.

The test lasts three hours, and the optional essay portion lasts for a total of fifty minutes. There are no restrictions on how many times you can take the test again. However, it is preferable to restrict your number of retakes because some universities may require you to disclose the results of earlier SAT exams. In India, there are 50 test centres spread over 30 cities. To secure your preferred dates, be sure to reserve your test slots far in advance.

Academic Eligibility	None
Age limit	None. Usually, the test takers are high school students in the age group of 17-18 years.
Test cost	Rs. 7,000 approximately.
Score validity	Five Years.
Countries that accept these scores	Many nations, including, the USA, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, accept SAT scores.
Major courses	Undergraduate courses.

4. American College Testing (ACT)

Academic Eligibility	None
Age limit	None. Usually, students in high school take this test right from the age of 13.
Test cost	Rs. 9000 approximately.
Score validity	Five Years.
Countries that accept these scores	ACT scores are accepted by most universities in the USA and Canada.
Major courses	Undergraduate courses.

5. Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

We are now moving on to tests that are more subject-specific. Students who want to study law overseas are catered to by the LSAT. This exam evaluates the competencies required in courtrooms: The five LSAT sections are logical reasoning – I, logical reasoning – II, analytical reasoning, reading comprehension, experimental portion, and essay writing.

The test lasts for around three and a half hours in total. In India, the test is given four times a year by the LSAC (Law School Admission Council). To receive a perfect score, you must take the exam a maximum of three times per year and seven times overall.

Academic eligibility	There are no specific eligibility criteria to take this test, but an academic background in law will be very beneficial for you when you apply to law schools.
Age limit	None
Test cost	Rs. 12,000 approximately.
Score validity	Five Years.
Countries that accept these scores	Law schools of many major study destinations including the USA, and Canada, accept LSAT scores.
Major course	Undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Law.

6. Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Academic Eligibility	If you are applying to take the MCAT, you should be pursuing, or you should have completed MBBS.
Age limit	None
Test cost	Rs. 30,000 approximately. (The test costs increase if you register late)
Score validity	MCAT scores are valid from 2 – 3 years after taking the test depending on the university you are applying to.
Countries that accept these scores	Almost all Universities in the USA and Canada, accept MCAT scores.
Major courses	Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses in Medicine.