L
anguage exams
International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and Pearson Test of English (PTE) are all standardized language tests, either one of which are required to be taken for the purpose of getting admission to colleges. These follow different formats, structure, and result bands. These tests are all different in various ways but many colleges ask for any one of the results. So it’s up to the student to decide which exam to appear for.
Repetition of Exam
IELTS can be taken an unlimited number of times. TOEFL can be retaken as many times as wished, but cannot be taken more than once in a 12-day period. Same with PTE, it can be taken as many times as desired. You must wait to receive your scores before you can book your next test.
Exam Fee
The standard fee for these exams is approximately INR 15,000 for IELTS, INR 14000 (US $180) for TOEFL, and INR 14,000 for PTE.
Time for exam application
Ideally, if you are aiming at the September intake you should appear for these exams by November so that you can apply before the first deadline. The universities you will be applying to will mention which exam results they will accept. But if they give a choice to go for either of these, then the choice depends on you. The time required to prepare for IELTS/TOEFL/PTE would depend on the existing English language proficiency. You may require 10-18 months of preparation before the exam date.
General Exams
Different colleges and courses have different requirement for exams to be passed in advance.
GMAT – The ‘Graduate Management Admission Test’ is used to measure the abilities of the potential MBA aspirant to undertake higher education in the field of business or management. It measures mathematical, English, and reasoning skills of the student.
GRE – The ‘Graduate Record Examination’ is another test required to be taken by students applying to graduate schools to pursue MA or MS. Increasingly many business schools are also accepting GRE scores for the purpose of granting admission for MBA.
LSAT – The ‘Law School Admission Test’ is a standardized test and is an integral part of the law school admission process. It provides a measure of reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use in assessing applicants.
SAT – The ‘Scholastic Assessment Test’ measures literacy and writing skills that are needed for academic success in college. This test assesses how well the test takers analyse and solve problems. Skills they learned in school that they will need in college. The SAT is typically taken by high school students to get into UG courses.
The university you will be applying to will mention which exam results will be applicable to the course of your choice. But if they give a choice to go for either of these, then the choice depends on you.
Repetition and Fee: You can give GMAT as many times as you want, subject to five times a year and a gap of 30 days between two tests. You can take these tests with a gap of 30 days from the first time. The cost of GMAT is INR 18,250 (US $250), GRE is INR 14,965 (US $205) and LSAT is INR 3,800
Average Scores:
The average GMAT accepted across universities is 547.
The average GRE score is 155 for Verbal, 167 for Quantitative, and 5.0 for Writing.
The average LSAT score accepted across universities is 162.
SAT for pad seats ask for 1250+
SAT for scholarships needs anything above 1530+
