If you aspire to study in the US, it’s important to list out important entrance exams that will serve as the first step towards gaining your higher education degree. And this article is just about that!
While there’s a plethora of information around all the examinations that you can appear for, there are some that you must pay special attention to as they could be common in terms of eligibility requirements for a number of courses. In this article, we will highlight 7 such courses that you must have detailed knowledge about, so that it comes handy when you plan to appear for them.
7 vital entrance exams you must know about, if you want to study in the US
1. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
The SAT or the Scholastic Assessment test is one of the most popular entrance exams in the US. It holds high significance for a candidate when they are applying for an undergraduate program. The minimum requirement for a SAT score is 1300 and this score is accepted by almost every university in the United States. However, some prestigious institutes might have a higher minimum score for a student to qualify for admission.
While most prestigious universities in the US consider this exam to be a mandatory requirement for undergraduate admission, some universities might offer a SAT waiver or consider it as an optional requirement. The duration of this exam is usually around 3 hours and 50 minutes, and has 3 sections namely, Reading, Writing and Mathematics.
2. ACT (American College Test)
ACT or the American College Test is a multiple-choice standardized college admission test. This test evaluates the analytical skills and critical thinking abilities of a candidate to understand if they are ready to embark on their higher education journey. While the minimum accepted score is 22, it may vary depending on the college they apply for. The American College Test usually lasts for 3 hours and 35 minutes and includes 4 sections such as Mathematics, English, Reading, Science and an optional section for Essay Writing.
3. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
The GRE or Graduate Record examination is a test required for various MS courses such as business administration, engineering, and many others. This exam is also accepted to gain admission for P.h.D. degrees. The candidate has the choice to select any 7 subject-specific GRE tests, along with the General GRE exam. The average minimum overall GRE score required by top US universities is 320. As an alternative to GMAT, GRE can also be accepted to gain admission in an MBA course in the USA. The duration of the Graduate Record Examination, generally, is 3 hours and 45 minutes, and has 3 sections namely, Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing.
4. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
GMAT exam is mandatory if you aim to take admission in top B-schools in the USA. The average score students need to score is around 700. A GMAT score is required if you wish to pursue an MBA in the USA. Please note that though many universities do not require GMAT scores while taking admission, companies ask for it while interviewing. The usual duration of the GMAT examination is 3 hours and 7 minutes (excluding two 8 minute breaks) and has 4 sections called Integrated reasoning, Verbal reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Writing.
5. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Test)
TOEFL is one of the most popular and widely used English language frequency tests. This test helps determine the required language knowledge of the applicant. Usually, students who aspire to enroll in a Ph.D. program have to take the test and may need to score good marks to qualify for the course. It is however, wise to consult with the university that you are considering to confirm the exam scores they require for admission. The duration of the test is 2 hours and 30 minutes and the sections include speaking, reading, writing and listening.
6. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
IELTS or International English Language Testing System is another widely accepted exam whose score is used to measure the English Proficiency of international students. Many universities, however, may not require the IELTS score if you have documents to support the proficiency level and knowledge of your language. The usual duration of this examination is 2 hours and 45 minutes and the qualifying score ranges anywhere between 6.0 to 8.0. IELTS, just like TOEFL, has 4 sections namely speaking, writing, reading and listening.
7. LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
Last on the list is the LSAT or the Law School Admission test. As the name suggests, this test is mandatory for students who wish to apply for courses that teach law. Generally accepted LSAT score is a minimum of 130. However, some prestigious law schools may require a score higher than 160 for you to apply and qualify for admission. It is best to check with the school of your consideration to understand the minimum benchmark for this test. The exam duration for LSAT is 2 hours and 20 minutes and this exam includes 4 sections namely, Analytical Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Reading and Comprehension.
Conclusion
Having a thorough understanding of the entrance exams that you must appear for to gain admission in US colleges is part of the college planning process. While this list highlights only 7 such exams, there are many others that might be more suitable to your degree choices. As a candidate, you must consider preparing and appearing for all or most of the exams that will bring you one step closer to gaining a higher education degree in the United States. We wish you all the best!
