- Sakal India Foundation
- November 5, 2025
Table of Contents
Going overseas to study is still one of the most effective means to increase one’s global exposure, acquire career-ready skills, and lift up one’s academic profile. However, before you can just go and catch a flight to the country of your dreams, you will need to take some standardized exams. These tests serve to provide universities with the means to measure your academic readiness, language skills along with your ability to adjust and flourish in an international learning environment.
In case you are intending to submit your application in 2025, getting familiar with these exams at a very early stage will definitely give you time, and relieve you of the stress and confusion. A comprehensive guide like this one digs into every single important exam, the reason why you need them, and figuring out how to pick the right one for your ambitions.
Why Do You Need Exams to Study Abroad?
Mostly, foreign universities approach standard exams as filters of thousands of applications they get annually. To ensure fairness, standard exams evaluate students from different educational systems and countries on the same level. The scores provide the universities with a clear yardstick to measure your academic abilities and how ready you are.
These exams are the main gatekeepers to ensure that foreign students will be able to follow a course taught entirely in English. It does not matter if you are taking engineering, business, or art classes; the universities want to make sure that the language issue will not hinder your progress.
Moreover, some admission tests, such as the GRE or GMAT, evaluate an individual’s skills in analytical writing, quantitative skills, and reasoning ability. These skills are crucial for courses that require a lot of academic rigor. There are also some scholarships and visa categories that require standardized test scores, which make these exams even more important in the overall process of gaining admission.
What Exams Do You Need to Study Abroad?
The tests you must take will vary based on your study country, the type of program, and the level of your degree. Generally, these tests can be grouped into two categories: language tests, and academic/aptitude tests. We will now discuss each category separately.
1. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
One of the major globally recognized tests of English proficiency is IELTS. It is acceptable in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. It measures the four language skills of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Depending on the course, a university usually demands an IELTS band between 6.0 and 7.5. IELTS is credited for its real-life interaction in the speaking test and equal weighting of skills.
2. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Most universities in the USA and Canada prefer TOEFL. The test focuses on the use of English in academic contexts thereby making it the best fit for students seeking technical or research-intensive programs. The score range is from 0 to 120, and the majority of universities set the minimum score between 80 and 100+. The test is entirely computer-based including the speaking part which is a preference of many candidates.
3. PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)
PTE is an increasingly popular choice to IELTS and TOEFL. The test is computer-based and AI-scored which allows for results to be available in a very short time—usually within 48 hours. PTE is accepted by numerous universities in the UK, Australia and also in the USA. The main reasons for students’ choice of this test are impartial scoring and availability of test dates.
4. Duolingo English Test (DET)
Duolingo is a new but quickly widely accepted English test and is cheap and can be taken anywhere. After the pandemic, it has become very popular. Many universities in the USA, Canada, and Europe accept it for admissions. Although it is comfortable, some elite universities still demand traditional exams like IELTS or TOEFL.
5. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
GRE is the prerequisite for master’s programs, mostly in the USA, that is for courses in engineering, science, social science, and management. The test includes verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing tasks. To a great extent, a good GRE score can open the doors of admission to you, especially if you aim at highly competitive STEM programs.
6. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
GMAT is the test of choice if you want to enter an MBA or business master’s program. This test evaluates where your strengths lie in numbers, logical thinking, and also decision-making abilities. The best business schools around the world, among which are the USA, UK, Canada, and Europe, are the ones that allow GMAT scores submission as part of the application process.
7. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
Closely linked to university admissions, the SAT is a must, especially in the USA. It assesses the candidate’s skills in the areas of reading, writing, and math. Besides, good SAT results may help a student to get a scholarship. Many elite universities—including the Ivy League ones—regard SAT scores as one of the major factors in admission decisions.
8. ACT (American College Testing)
ACT is yet another undergraduate entrance exam and an option to the SAT. It covers English, math, reading, science, and an optional writing test. Most US colleges accept both SAT and ACT which means that students are free to choose the format that suits them best.
9. Language Proficiency Tests for Non-English Programs
If you are going to study in countries such as Germany, France, or Japan, maybe the following language tests will be required of you:
- TestDaF / DSH for German-taught programs
- DELF/DALF for French programs
- JLPT for Japanese-taught programs
All these tests are designed to certify that you are capable of studying in the language spoken by the locals.
Related Blog: How to Apply for Foreign Universities from India – Admission, Exam & More
How to Choose the Right Exam for Your Study Abroad Goals?
What exams to take to study there depends on where you want to be, what your course requires, and what your individual talents are. Making the wrong move might be the reason why your application will be delayed or why you will be given fewer chances of being accepted. Here is the way you can get deciding right.
Firstly, verify the web pages of the institutions to which you are going to send your application. Each program shows the examination demands it has. When it comes to English tests, it is good to compare formats, scoring, and your inclination to participate either in computer-based or face-to-face tests. If it is academic tests like GRE or GMAT, then it would be better to choose the area where your skills are e.g., quantitative vs. verbal, analytical vs. reasoning.
The goals you have for the future also count. There are some tests, such as GMAT, which may facilitate getting a scholarship. While tests, such as Duolingo, are simpler, their scores are not recognized everywhere. So, think about it carefully and see where your score will be valid and beneficial.
What to take into consideration by and large:
- The necessary exams for your course (MBA vs. MS vs. BA)
- The requirements of the country you want to study in
- The exam acceptance levels in all the universities on your final list
- The difficulty of the exam and the time for preparation
- Your financial means (the charges differ much from one exam to another)
- The score validity (in most cases 2–5 years)
- If you are more comfortable with a computer-based test or you would rather have it face-to-face
- The dates for tests in your city
- Scholarship opportunities linked with certain exams
Before finishing, we would like to share with you the replies to the most frequently asked questions about study-abroad exams that students have.
FAQs About Exams for Studying Abroad
Q1. Which exam is required for studying in the USA?
If it is a bachelor’s program then the SAT or ACT may be required. For master’s degree programs, GRE is usually the choice for scientific and technical fields whereas GMAT is preferred for MBA. Besides that, all students from abroad have to prove their English proficiency by taking such tests as TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.
Q2. What exams are needed to study in the UK?
The majority of British universities want the candidate to submit the results of one of certain standardized tests that measure English proficiency, i.e. IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL. The MBA aspirants are requested to provide GMAT scores. Normally, undergraduate programs do not request the SAT test but a few top-tier universities may consider it for admissions. As for the medical field, schools may require the students to take UCAT or BMAT exams.
Q3. Is IELTS mandatory for studying abroad?
Not at all, IELTS is just one of several options students may choose from. Schools gladly accept diverse English tests like TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo too. There are even some universities that offer exemption if you came from an English-medium school. Nevertheless, it is the one most widely accepted, especially for visa issuing purposes in the UK, Australia, and Canada.
Q4. Can I study abroad without taking any exam?
It is possible in limited situations. A great number of European higher education institutions are welcoming applicants without GRE or GMAT scores. A few countries also have provisions for admission without IELTS if you can authenticate your English proficiency through school records or interviews. But top universities always at least require a language test.
Q5. Do European universities require IELTS or other language tests?
For programs conducted in English, almost all universities in Europe will link acceptance of such tests as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo. In case the program is in a non-English language, then you will be expected to take a local language test, e.g., TestDaF (Germany) or DELF (France). It would be a smart decision always to verify the requirements of the specific program.
Conclusion
Getting ready to study abroad is definitely fun, but learning about the exams that you have to take is the most important step. These tests are a must, as they allow the universities to assess you and they also give you the needed confidence to succeed in a global academic environment. Start off early, take only the tests that suit your career and preparation planning should be your next step.
Make your dream of studying abroad come true in 2025 with a great combination of exam results and an impressive application.
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