What are the most common exams for MBA in abroad?

The 2 most common exams for MBA in abroad are GMAT and GRE.

Exams for MBA abroad: A guide to common admission tests

MBA programs around the world are becoming increasingly competitive, and many universities require applicants to take entrance exams to demonstrate their proficiency and understanding of business concepts. The demand and competition are understandable, as it is one of the most pursued courses in the world.

By understanding the different tests and preparing accordingly, you can increase your chances of gaining acceptance into an international MBA program.

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This guide will offer an overview of the admission tests you can take to pursue MBA programs abroad.

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Common exams for MBA in abroad

MBA exams for studying abroad are typically standardised tests that measure a student’s aptitude for graduate business school. The exams are a major factor in determining admission to the world’s top business schools and are one of the most important elements of the application process.

The most common exams for MBA programs abroad are.

Standard tests

GMAT
GRE

English proficiency tests

IELTS
TOEFL
PTE
Duolingo

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Standard tests

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardised test used by many business schools and universities worldwide. The exam assesses the candidate’s academic aptitude and determines your readiness for the program.

The test is designed to measure essential aspects of business studies, like critical thinking, analytical writing, and problem-solving skills.

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is a nonprofit organisation that administers the GMAT test and maintains standards for graduate management education worldwide. The exam is offered year-round at more than 6,000 test centres in over 114 countries.

The GMAT test consists of four sections: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning (IR), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), and Verbal Reasoning (VR).

The AWA section assesses the test taker’s ability to think critically and write clearly, while the IR section measures the ability to interpret data and draw logical conclusions. The QR and VR sections measure the test taker’s ability to interpret data, analyse quantitative information, and use verbal reasoning skills.

The GMAT exam fee is $250, though there are discounts available for certain groups of test takers, such as military personnel and students from certain countries. The test is offered in both paper-based and computer-based formats. The computer-based format is the most popular and is offered at most test centres.

Also read: How to prepare for Online GRE Exam?

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardised test that is used as part of the admissions process for many graduate programs in the United States, Canada, and other countries. For those seeking to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at a business school abroad, the GRE is a required element of the admissions process.

The GRE is a multiple-choice, computer-adaptive test. It measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills. The test, administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), has two types: GRE General and Subject tests.

The GRE General test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills. The GRE Subject tests measure your knowledge in specific subject areas and are available in the following disciplines: Biology, chemistry, literature in English, mathematics, physics, psychology, and United States history and government.

The GRE is offered in two formats: computer-based and paper-and-pencil. The computer-based version is offered year-round at testing centres worldwide, while the paper-and-pencil version is offered only three times a year in certain locations.

Also read: The GMAT vs GRE for MBA admissions

Language proficiency & other language tests for MBA

IELTS

The International English Language Test System (IELTS) is a test to analyse your English language skills. Candidates planning to study or work in a country where English is the predominant language must pass the IELTS before moving abroad.

The 2-hour 45-minute test determines the candidate’s English proficiency through reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills. The sections analyse your language fluency through a band score between 1-9. There are two types of IELTS exams: Academic and General Training.

IELTS Academic is for students planning to pursue higher education in English-speaking countries, whereas, the General Training version is for working professionals and people seeking immigration opportunities.

TOEFL

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is an English proficiency test for students planning to pursue higher education at a university in an English-speaking country. TOEFL is a widely accepted test by several institutions around the globe.

TOEFL tests are approximately three hours long with a total of 120 marks and evaluate your ability to read, listen to, speak, and write in English. There are two modes through which you can take the test: Paper-based, and internet-based.

PTE

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is a computer-based English language test accepted by many universities and business schools worldwide. It evaluates your skills in speaking, listening, writing and reading.

The exam lasts for around 2 hours and 15 minutes and evaluates your English skills with a score between 10 and 90.

The PTE exam is of three types: Academic, General, and Home. The Academic version is for students seeking to study abroad, as well as for immigration procedures to Australia and New Zealand.

PTE General, also known as the International Certificate, is designed for vocational benefit, rewarding positive achievement in the English language for candidates.

PTE Home is a UK Home Office-approved speaking and listening test. People applying for family or settlement visas in the UK mainly take this assessment to prove their English proficiency.

Also read: Duolingo vs PTE: Which one is better for you?

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Duolingo

The Duolingo English test is a standard online assessment for international students planning to pursue an MBA or any program abroad. The test measures your English fluency with the four skills: Listening, reading, speaking and writing.

Many students prefer Duolingo as it is affordable and convenient. The test has three sections with a total of 160 marks. The sections include an Introduction, an Adaptive test (graded), and a Writing and speaking sample (ungraded). The test is designed based on computer-adaptive technology.

It means the difficulty of the test depends on the participant’s performance. With every correct answer, the difficulty level increases and vice versa.

Also read: How to prepare for the Duolingo English test?

Eligibility requirements for studying for an MBA

MBA is one of the top study programs international students prefer to pursue abroad. There are certain eligibility requirements they need to fulfil so that their applications can be sent for admission. While these criteria differ with universities and study destinations, here are the common eligibility requirements for studying for an MBA.

Education qualification: An international student with an undergraduate degree in BBA, a business-related course, or other study programs.
Work experience: At least two years in a relevant field.

Other requirements for studying for an MBA abroad

Some of the other requirements include the students’ admission test scores. Here are the standard exam requirements for top study destinations.

GRE

US: 320
UK: Above 320
Canada: 300-320
Ireland: 310-320
Australia: 300-310
New Zealand: Above 320