The Relevance and Scope of Competitive Exams for Studying Abroad

Every year, many students from all over the world seek study visas for top-notch education, hands-on experience, and better job opportunities.

As of January 2023, nearly 1.5 million Indian students are furthering their education abroad. This shows the growing inclination towards global education among Indian students.

In this regard, note that the first step to achieving your objective is to understand the admission procedure for studying abroad. A vital step in this journey is passing the entrance exams required by international colleges. This exam could be language-based (for students whose first language is not English) or a standardized exam (based on the required course)

In this post, we'll explore the top entrance exams for studying abroad that also offer scholarship opportunities!

Read on!

Top Entrance Exams for Studying Abroad

Below are some of the international entrance exams that can pave your way to renowned universities worldwide:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Purpose and Scope:
The IELTS exam ranks as the top English proficiency test, which is trusted by more than 11,000 organizations in various countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and the USA.

Test Format and Sections
IELTS can be either Academic or General, owned by the British Council and IDP, and tests skills in major areas like writing, speaking, reading, and listening. The score is calculated on a scale of 0-9 bands, where 6 band is generally accepted by top universities. More than 1.3 to 1.4 million take the IELTS test in India every year.

Tips for Preparation
You can seek professional assistance and expertise from Affiniks Academy. The professionals help students understand the structure of the exam and appear for it confidently.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

TOEFL exam, owned by ETS, is one of the top English proficiency tests, which is accepted by educational institutes in more than 150 countries, including the US, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. United Kingdom accepts TOEFL iBT scores from Indian students.

Students are assessed on four major English skills - reading, writing, listening, and writing and the score is measured on a scale of 0 to 120. India has reported a 50% growth in the number of students who appear for TOEFL since the pandemic.

Pearson Language Test (PTE)

PTE exam assesses a student on his reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills and is accepted at universities in the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Unlike other exams, there is no age bar or eligibility criteria for appearing for the PTE exam.
Where to go?

Affiniks Academy is the right place for coaching as they provide top-notch guidance for the Pearson Language Test. You can head over to Affiniks Academy to ensure the best score in your study abroad journey.

Standardized Entrance Exams for Foreign Universities

These entrance exams are required for studying various courses in foreign universities:

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)

SAT is a written exam that tests your mathematical and language skills if you seek admission into undergraduate programs in the United States and Canada. It follows two formats, one with the essay and the other without one, and is generally scored between 200-800 points.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

GRE tests students on verbal, mathematical, and general analytical skills and is a popular entrance exam to study in the US, Australia, or Canada in graduate courses, especially in engineering and the sciences. It is accepted by more than 1,200 business schools across the globe and is valid for five years.

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

GMAT is an important admissions assessment for MBA colleges, which requires a score in the range of 570-700. It is quite a complex and competitive exam, mainly because of its integrated reasoning section, and is accepted in more than 500 locations worldwide.

American College Testing (ACT)

ACT is an exam to seek admission to colleges in the United States and Canada. The exam is based on English, mathematics, reading, and science with an optional writing section, which tests the high-school readiness of students.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

MCAT is mandatory for students who want to pursue medicine in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Caribbean Islands. The exam is accepted in 21 countries and is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and Pearson VUE.

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

LSAT is administered by the Law School Admission Council and is mandatory for students who want to pursue law in the USA, Canada, and Australia. It can be LSAT Indian or LSAT abroad.

Other Exams to Study Abroad

Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) - This exam is administered by Cambridge ESOL and tests English skills to seek admission to major UK, Canada, USA, and Spain universities.
Cambridge English Proficiency Exam (CPE) - Cambridge ESOL also administers it and tests the student’s skills in writing, speaking, reading, and listening.
Examination for the Certificate of Competency in English (ECCE) – The University of Michigan conducts this English language competency to show your skills to employers in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, France, the USA, and the UK.

Competitive Exams by Country

Here is a table that depicts popular entrance exams to study abroad that are accepted in different countries:

Entrance Exams for the US	GRE, GMAT
Entrance Exams for the UK	UKCAT, BMAT
Entrance Exams for Canada	MCAT, CASPer
Entrance Exams for Australia	AMSAT, UCAT

Let's explore the essential details of top entrance exams for studying abroad, spanning various courses and accepted worldwide.

Course	General Exam	TOEFL - US, Canada IELTS or PTE - UK, Australia, and New Zealand CELPIP and CASPer - Canada CAE or CPE - UK
For Undergraduate Courses	SAT or ACT
MBA	GMAT or GRE
MS	GRE
Certificate and Diploma
Law	LSAT
Medical	BMAT	MCAT - United States and Canada. TOEFL - US, Canada IELTS or PTE - UK, Australia, and New Zealand CELPIP - Canada CAE or CPE for the UK UKCAT - UK universities. The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) - Australia, Ireland, and the UK. The University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT ANZ) - Australia and New Zealand

Challenges and Tips

Clearing entrance exams to study abroad, is not a piece of cake. It requires determination, grit, and hard work to get through and earn a prestigious seat in one of the top foreign universities in the world.
Here are a few challenges that aspirants often face, along with some tips to overcome them:

Language Barriers

Students may struggle to understand English lectures, discussions, and assignments. They may feel self-conscious, isolated, or anxious about their English skills.

Tip:
To tackle such challenges, consider seeking expert help for language enhancement, joining international student support groups, and engaging with both local and global peers.

Test Anxiety

Students, especially perfectionists, may worry a lot while aiming for the perfect score in entrance exams to study abroad. This stress and anxiety can lead to nausea, sweating, a headache, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, etc.

Tip:
The best way to deal with such a situation is to ask for any practical help you need, access professional arrangements, and find a study group, or start your own.

Cultural Adjustments

It is common for students who appear for international-level exams to experience visa problems, culture shock, financial stress, language barriers, neo-racism, and other social challenges.

Tip:
Students need to research local customs and traditions, explore new surroundings, make new friends, and surround themselves with familiar items.

Other Tips to Appear for International Entrance Exams

Aspiring students need to check various sources across the web. Go through the admission selection and exam pattern diligently, and prepare yourself accordingly.
Create a study schedule, manage time well, and assess your strengths and weaknesses.
Review material to prepare and practice previous years' papers
Practice meditation and stay calm.
Consider language learning, master the tools, and get professional assistance from experts.

Conclusion

English is the global lingua franca. Yet, students not fluent in it can still find exams offering scholarships or entry into top international institutions. You can overcome language barriers with the right preparation and resources.

In this regard, note that Affiniks Study Abroad assists students prepping for foreign entrance exams. Their experts guide students through the application, documentation, and exam specifics, ensuring informed decisions every step of the way. You can check out Affiniks Academy for the right kind of coaching classes for IELTS, PET, OET, UKVI IELTS & and Duolingo. Head over to their site for more info!