Common Entrance Exams for Studying Abroad in 2025
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There are various common entrance exams for studying abroad conducted on a global level to assess students’ language proficiency. Students aiming to pursue higher education from Foreign Universities are required to submit entrance test scores along with the University applications. Some of the assessments that are conducted as language proficiency exams for students abroad are IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
Students should be informed which exam is required to study abroad and the scores accepted by the desired University. This blog contains key details about the various entrance tests to study in Foreign Universities.
Contents
Entrance Exams for Studying Abroad
Below-mentioned is a list of exams to study abroad for students who are looking forward to pursuing higher education overseas:
1. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Conducting Body: IDP IELTS, British Council, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment
- Category: UG / PG Courses (IELTS Academic) & Vocational Courses (IELTS General Training)
- Official Website: ‘ielts.org’
- Mode of Exam: Computer-Based / Paper-Based
- Exam Fee: Rs. 18,000/-
The IELTS exam for study abroad is conducted to assess the applicant’s proficiency in English language. It is of 2 types which are IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.
Both of the entrance exams for studying abroad have 4 sections – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking (Interview). The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both Academic and General Training; however, the Reading and Writing sections are different for both tests. This assessment is known to be one of the most popular exams for studying in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and New Zealand.
2. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- Conducting Body: The Educational Testing Service (ETS)
- Category: UG & PG Courses
- Official Website: ‘www.ets.org’
- Mode of Exam: Centre Computer-Based (TOEFL iBT), Remote Proctored Computer-Based (TOEFL iBT Home Edition & TOEFL Essentials)
- Exam Fee: Rs. 17,200/- (for TOEFL Essentials) & Rs. 15,355/- (for TOEFL iBT)
The TOEFL exam for study abroad has two modules which are TOEFL iBT & TOEFL Essentials. TOEFL iBT, one of the entrance exams for studying abroad, is an evaluation purely in the academic context; however, the TOEFL Essentials Test is taken for both academic and non-academic purposes.
Students are required to attempt 4 sections namely, Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing for. For the TOEFL Essentials Test, there is an additional 5-minute personal video statement, which is not graded.
3. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
- Conducting Body: College Board
- Category: UG Courses
- Official Website: ‘satsuite.collegeboard.org’
- Mode of Exam: Center Computer-Based
- Exam Fee: Rs. 9850/-
The SAT is one of the most renowned entrance tests for international students, conducted to assess candidates on the basis of their Reading Comprehension, Writing Skills, and Mathematical Skills. It has two sections namely, English (Reading & Writing) that has to be completed in 64 minutes and Mathematics section the duration for which is 70 minutes.
4. LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
- Conducting Body: The Law School Admission Council (LSAC)
- Category: UG & PG Courses
- Official Website: ‘lsac.org’
- Mode of Exam: Remote Proctored / Center-Based
- Exam Fee: Approximately Rs. 22,000/-
The LSAT exam is one of the most widely accepted entrance exams for studying abroad for Law that evaluates a candidate through 4 sections which are 2 sections of Logical Reasoning, one section of Reading Comprehension, and an unscored LSAT Argumentative Writing section of 35 minutes each.
5. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
- Conducting Body: The Educational Testing Service (ETS)
- Category: PG, Ph.D., & Juris Doctor Programs
- Official Website: ‘ets.org’
- Mode of Exam: Computer & Centre-Based / Remote Proctored Computer-Based
- Exam Fee: Rs. 19,500/- (GRE General Test) & Rs. 15,500/- (GRE Subject Test)
One of the entrance exams for studying abroad i.e., the Graduate Record Examination comprises 2 types of exams, the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test. The General Test includes Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Skills section & the duration of which is 1 hour & 58 minutes.
On the other hand, the GRE Subject Test is for students with a UG major / extensive background in a specific field like Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, etc. and they are tested accordingly.
6. GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test)
- Conducting Body: Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC)
- Category: MBA and Other Graduate Business Programs
- Official Website: ‘mba.com’
- Mode of Exam: Remote Proctored Online Test / Centre-Based Online Test
- Exam Fee: Rs. 26,629/- (Remote) & Rs. 24,410/- (Centre-Based Online Test)
GMAT is another one of the most popular entrance exams for studying abroad and is conducted to gauge the Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Analysis capabilities of an applicant. The test does not include any negative marking, and the score ranges from 205 to 805.
7. ACT (American College Testing)
- Conducting Body: ACT Incorporated
- Category: UG Courses
- Official Website: ‘act.org’
- Mode of Exam: Online & Paper-Based
- Exam Fee: Rs. 6,035/-
ACT is one of the American entrance exams for studying abroad which has various sections namely, English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Science and Essay Writing section which are not a part of the composite score. The test includes 171 questions, and the composite & each test score range for ACT is 1 to 36.
Note: Due to the optional sections, additional charges for ACT exam registration may apply. Students are recommended to check the official website for the exact fee.
*Students should be informed that the registration fee mentioned for the above-listed entrance exams for studying abroad does not include VAT or additional taxes.
Conclusion
Most entrance exams for studying abroad assess the candidate on the basis of language and reasoning. Before registering for an entrance exam, students should check which score the chosen University accepts. Along with test scores, applicants should also focus on building strong credentials. IELTS, TOEFL, ACT, GRE, GMAT, SAT, and LSAT are the most well-known entrance exams for studying abroad. With consistent effort, students can score well on these assessments and secure top-tier Universities from across the globe.