Many young Indians hope to study abroad and gain better career opportunities. Moving overseas for your education requires a few adjustments. You must become familiar with the eligibility requirements for each country, college and course. Here’s how to identify the correct entrance exam for foreign universities.
English Language Entrance Exams for Higher Education Abroad
If you’re heading to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US or the UK, you must complete a language test. The institute wants to ensure that you are proficient in English and can follow their lessons. Different countries accept different tests.
Accepted tests include:
- TOEFL iBT – Most American and Canadian institutes require TOEFL scores for your language requirement.
- IELTS or PTE – Most higher learning centres in the UK, Australia and New Zealand recognise IELTS or PTE scores.
- CELPIP – Along with the TOEFL iBT, Canada also accepts the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP).
- CAE or CPE – Students hoping to study in the United Kingdom can complete the CAE or CPE, administered by the British Council.
Each of these tests measures your ability to read, write and speak English. Since some countries have multiple language test options, it’s a good idea to check with your preferred university before you sign up for any language exam. If you intend to apply for courses in multiple countries, try and find a test they all accept. You can then focus on your preparations and work on acing the test to secure your seat.
Course-Specific Entrance Tests for Study in USA and the UK
For an MBA
If you’d like to complete your MBA in America or the United Kingdom, you must meet several eligibility requirements. Along with your language test scores, graduate degree, letters of recommendation and personal essay, you must submit your Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores. You should secure at least 600 out of a potential 800 points in your GMAT. The exam has four sections:
Analytical Writing
The section has just one question about a given argument. You have to discuss whether you believe the argument is sound or not.
Integrated Reasoning
You must analyse information presented in a spreadsheet and answer 12 questions in 30 minutes. The section has four question types that measure your ability to sort and analyse a spreadsheet, examine data from multiple sources, solve complex problems, and interpret the information.
Verbal Reasoning
The section has 36 questions that you need to answer in 65 minutes. It tests your critical reasoning, sentence correction, and reading comprehension skills.
Quantitative Reasoning
The section tests your problem-solving and data sufficiency skill with 31 questions you must answer in 62 minutes. You need to know algebra, arithmetic and geometry to score well and showcase your analytical skills.
For a Master of Science
You must provide a GRE score with other documents to gain admission to a Master of Science (MS) course. Students from India must appear for the computer-based exam instead of the paper one. The exam has three main sections – verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. You will likely have to deal with variable sections as well. The analytical writing section has only two tasks you must complete in an hour. Both verbal and quantitative reasoning have two sections of 40 questions. You must complete the verbal reasoning test in 60 minutes and the quantitative reasoning one in 70.
If you’re pursuing a higher degree in a particular subject, you might have to complete the GRE Subject exam. The subjects covered include physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, psychology, and English literature. These tests follow a negative marking system. You get one point for every correct answer and -0.25 for every wrong one.
For Medicine
Aspiring doctors need to complete an MCAT in America or the BMAT in the United Kingdom. The MCAT is a lengthy exam, taking 7.5 hours. You can obtain a max score of 528, but most students secure admission with a score of 500.
Aspiring doctors, dentists and vets in the UK must complete the BMAT. The two-hour exam tests your ability to apply scientific knowledge correctly. It also checks your analytical and communication skills.
For Law
Aspiring lawyers in America, Canada and Australia must sit for an LSAT exam. Those in the UK should complete the LNAT exam to secure their admission. The exams contain multiple-choice questions and one written essay. Students appearing for the LSAT can complete the essay answer a week before the multiple-choice test that measures their analytical and logical reasoning skills and reading comprehension abilities.
You have 95 minutes to complete 42 multiple-choice questions and 40 minutes to complete the written essay for the LNAT. It tests your skills in seven subjects – education, ethics, law, politics, philosophy, science, and media.
Financing Your Higher Education Abroad
Preparing for these entrance tests requires some investment. Students often opt for private tutors or coaching classes and must pay a registration fee for each exam. Coming up with the finances for these tests should not be difficult. You can apply for an education loan to help with entrance exam costs. Many loans for students provide funds to help aspiring candidates with exam preparation. You can also use the loan to finance your course fees and living expenses abroad.
A lack of finances shouldn’t become an obstacle while furthering your career. You can opt for a student loan to take care of the finances so you can focus on your education.
