Language Exams to Study Abroad

Which exam to give for which course to study abroad

How to get admission in a foreign university for pursuing Post-Graduation?

If you are planning to study abroad, the admission process will require you to give one language exam and one standardized exam. However, depending on the country, course, college or university you are targeting, you may be exempt from standardized exams, but you would still be required to take one language exam to show English language proficiency if you intend to study in English medium courses. Depending on the course and college/university, you may also be required to provide scores of one standardized test. To study in Russia for instance, you may be required to provide evidence of Russian language proficiency or enroll into foundation program. Your OpToStudy advisor will advice you on acceptable language exam tests.

Exams to Study Abroad

Language exams

The language exams show your English proficiency skills. You need to give either one of the language exams to get admission to any university in an English speaking country. These are required for pursuing almost all courses; Undergraduate courses, Postgraduate courses, Certificates or Diplomas (unless mentioned).

Different countries give preference to one language exam over others. Few of the top English language exams which are used by prominent study abroad destinations:

  • IELTS: IELTS exam is the preferred exam for getting admission to universities in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. IELTS Score is valid for two years.
  • TOEFL: TOEFL exam is the preferred exam for universities in the US and Canada, while it is not accepted at many colleges in UK. Your TOEFL scores are valid until two years post the declaration of your result.
  • PTE: PTE exam is accepted at a few colleges in the US and most colleges in the UK. CAE and CPE are given preference by British universities. Further, PTE Academic scores are valid for up to two years from the date of the exam.

Standardized Entrance Exam for Foreign Universities

Entrance exam to study abroad for various courses can be different. The exams required for studying various courses are different. Depending on the courses of your choice, you will be required to give only one standardized exam for abroad education. So, if you are going to pursue MS then you have to give exams for MS abroad. Similarly, if you are going to pursue an MBA abroad so you have to give exams for MBA abroad. Also, there are different standardized tests for different countries.

Here is a table describing exam requirements according to the course of your choice:

Courses/ProgramsStandardized TestsPreferred English Language Tests on the Country basis
UndergraduateSAT or ACTTOEFL for US, Canada
IELTS or PTE for UK, AustraliaNew Zealand
CELPIP for Canada
CAE or CPE for UK
MBAGMAT or GRETOEFL for US, Canada
IELTS or PTE for UK,
Australia, New Zealand
CELPIP for Canada
CAE or CPE for UK
MSGRETOEFL for US, Canada
IELTS or PTE for UK, Australia, New Zealand
CELPIP for Canada
CAE or CPE for UK
Certificate and DiplomaTOEFL for US, Canada
IELTS or PTE for UK, Australia, New Zealand
CELPIP for Canada
CAE or CPE for UK
MedicalMCATTOEFL for US, Canada
IELTS or PTE for UK, Australia, New Zealand
CELPIP for Canada
CAE or CPE for UK
LawLSATTOEFL for US, Canada
IELTS or PTE for UK, Australia, New Zealand
CELPIP for Canada
CAE or CPE for UK

Exams for Study Abroad with Scholarship

The most popular and important entrance exam to study abroad is GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, and ACT. Excellent performance in these international competitive exams can also get students financial aid in the form of scholarships. Many colleges and universities consider the performance of the aspirant in these international entrance exams for giving scholarship to aspirants at the time of giving admission.

Exams to Study Abroad after 12th

Those students who have cleared their higher secondary have the option to give various entrance exams for studying abroad. SAT, ACT, GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS are some of the important standardized tests which students can give for going to study abroad. The choice of exam always depends on the course, college, and country where you want to go.

Know more about studying in top study abroad destinations
Canada | New Zealand | Australia | UK | US | Europe | Russia