study abroad-entrances – Career Today

All you need to know about GRE, TOFEL, IELTS, LSAT and SAT to study abroad which are being conducted several times in a year globally

Securing a seat in a foreign university of your choice, that too empowered with full or partial funding, depends on your performance in assessment tests. Thousands of students go to various parts of the world every year to pursue higher studies after taking the first step of clearing a minimum threshold in these international examinations held globally, many of them being conducted several times a year. There are a number of entrance exams such as GRE, GMAT, SAT, TOFEL, IELTS, MCAT, LSAT and so on that cater to different programmes in various domains. Here’s a brief outline on five prominent tests- GRE, TOFEL, IELTS, SAT and LSAT.

TOFEL

Website: https://www.ets.org/

Test of English as Foreign Language (TOFEL)

Recognized by more than 11,000 colleges, universities and agencies in more than 150 countries, TOFEL is the most popular and widely accepted English language test in the world. The TOFEL exam is administrated by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The TOFEL full form is Test of English as Foreign Language.

How To Apply

TOFEL is conducted 50 times a year at authorized test ceners. Registration can be done 24 hours a day, seven days a week and closes 7 days prior to the date of the test. One can retake the exam any number of times. But you cannot attempt the exam within 12 days of the previous attempt. Candidates can register online for TOFEL iBT on the official website of ETS.

Test Pattern & Scoring

TOFEL iBT which is administrated via Internet measures reading, listening, speaking and writing skills. This test is offered online at testing sites around the globe. Locations where testing via Internet is not possible, TOFEL PBT (Paper-based-test) is administered which measuring reading, listening, grammar and writing skills of the test-taker. TOFEL scores are valid for two years.

Section A: Reading

Estimated Timing: 35 minutes

Questions/ Tasks: 20 questions

Description: Read passages and respond to questions.

Section B: Listening

Estimated Timing: 36 minutes

Questions/ Tasks: 28 questions

Description: Answer questions about brief or classroom discussions.

Section C: Speaking

Estimated Timing: 16 minutes

Questions/ Tasks: 4 tasks

Description: Talk about familiar topic and discuss material you read and heard.

Section C: Writing

Estimated Timing: 29 minutes

Questions/ Tasks: 2 tasks

Description: Read a passage, listen to a recording, type your response. State and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

Website: www.ielts.org

Students seeking admissions into UG, PG and doctoral programs or people aiming to work in English- speaking countries can sit for IELTS. This test measures the English proficiency of aspirants based on nine band score system. Candidates receive scores on a band scale from 1 to 9 with 9.0 with representing expert user and 1.0 representing poor users. IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council; IDP IELTS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.

Test Pattern

IELTS measures four language skills- Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. There are two modules to choose from Academic and General Training. General Training measures English language proficiency in a practical, everyday context. And also there is often a visa requirement for those planning to migrate to English speaking countries including the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and USA. IELTS Academics is for test- takers wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. There are different reading and writing tests for both the modules and every organizations has its own entry requirement. A key tip to crack the exam is to solve as many sample papers as you can so that you can understand the format of the test and types of questions.

How To Apply

ILETS is conducted 4 times in a month and can be re-taken unlimited times. To apply for this test, log on to www.ielts.org and follow the seven simple steps for registration.

Fast Fact

Eligibility: People aiming to work or study in English speaking countries

When to apply: Conducted 4 times a month and can be re-taken unlimited number of times

Validity: 2 years

Exam Duration: 2 hours and 45 minutes

Conducting Authorities: Jointly managed by British Council, IDP, IELTS Australia and Cambridge ESOL

GRE

Graduate Record Examination)

Website: www.ets.org/

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is the standard and prominent entrance exam students take to qualify for an undergraduate or postgraduate course, specifically in English- speaking countries. The Educational Testing Services (ETS), a new Jersey-based organization conduct the GRE. GRE revised general test measures Verbal Thinking, Quantitative Reasoning, Critical Thinking and Analytical Writing Skills whereas GRE subject test is meant for student having an undergraduate major or extensive background in one of these three disciplines: Mathematics, Physics and Psychology.

How To Apply

You can log on to www.ets.org/gre and create ‘My GRE account’ to register online. You need to register early to get your preferred test date and location.

Fast Fact

Eligibility: Aspirants can register for test irrespective of age and qualification

When to apply: Once every 21 days, up to 5 times within a 12 month period

Validity: 5 years

Duration of the exam: 3 hours 45 minutes

Conducting Authorities: Educational Testing Service

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)

Website: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/

If you are planning to opt for undergraduate studies abroad, you must be aware of SAT, ACT and other related exams. The SAT exam full form is Scholastic Aptitude Test. Conducted by the College Board. SAT is one of the most widely used college admission tests across the globe. SAT scores are the best predictors of a student’s potential to succeed in college. The SAT exam scores are also accepted at almost every university in the US and Canada along with institutions in the UK and Australia.

The SAT is a standardized test designed to measure basic critical reading, math and writing skills.

The examination can also be taken as many times as desired by the students. It is administered every year in India about five times. The examination usually takes place in March, May, June, October and December each year.

Fast Fact

Eligibility: Advised when students are in 11th and 12th standard.

Exam Mode: Pen and Paper based

Exam Duration: 4 hours 5 minutes

Conducting Authority: College Board

LSAT (Law School Admission Test)

Website: www.lsac.org/

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is an integral part of law school admission in the United States, Canada and a growing number of other countries.

LSAT is a standardized test of reading and verbal reasoning skills designed by USA based Law Schools Admission Council (LSAC). The three main skills measured by LSAT are- 1. Logical Reasoning (assess the ability to analyze, critically evaluate, and complete arguments) 2. Analytical Reasoning (measure the ability to understand a structure of relationship and to draw logical conclusions about the structure) and 3. Reading Comprehension (measure the ability to read, with understanding and insight).

How to apply

Only a limited number of seats are available at each test centre for each test administration. Register early to get your first choice test center. You can register online @ https://www.lsac.org/ .