Over a million international students choose to study in the United States every year. With over 4,300 higher education institutions, the US is a widely preferred study destination for its world-class education, flexible academic system, excellent facilities, and remarkable post-study opportunities.
Before planning to study in the US, remember that most higher education institutions require students to take at least one standardised admission test as part of the application process.
International students wishing to pursue higher education in the US should ensure they attend and pass the required entrance exams. Here’s a detailed rundown of what exams are required to study in the USA.
Table of Contents
- What exams are required to study in the USA?
- What English proficiency exams are required to study in the USA?
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- PTE
- Duolingo
- What exams are required to study undergraduate courses in the USA?
- SAT exam
- ACT exam
- MCAT exam
- LSAT
- What exams are required to study postgraduate courses in the USA?
- GMAT
- GRE
- A rundown on the US entrance exams for international students
- Frequently asked questions
- What exams are required to study in the USA after the 12th?
- What exams are required to study in the USA after the 10th?
- Do you need the SAT for a master's in the US?
- Which exam is required for MS in the USA for Indian students?
- What exams are required to study for a master's degree in the USA?
- Is IELTS compulsory in the USA?
- Begin your study abroad journey in just a click
Exciting possibilities await you in the US! Explore the finest opportunities and apply today!
What exams are required to study in the USA?
US educational institutions need international students to take standardised assessments to determine if their profile meets the eligibility criteria. These exams assess a student’s English proficiency, general knowledge, and aptitude skills; the scores play a significant role in their admission.
Here are the top exams in the USA that international students should attend before pursuing higher education.
| For English proficiency | For undergraduate courses | For postgraduate courses |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | SAT | GMAT |
| TOEFL | ACT | GRE |
| PTE | MCAT | - |
| Duolingo | LSAT | - |
What English proficiency exams are required to study in the USA?
English proficiency exams determine your fluency in the language in terms of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Your results are a mandatory requirement for visa processing and university admission. Here are the top English exams to study in the USA.
IELTS
Key highlights
| IELTS full form | International English Language Test System |
| Conducted by | British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge Assessment English |
| No. of sections | 4 |
| Skills assessed | Reading, listening, writing, and speaking |
| Is the syllabus the same for IELTS Academic and General Training? | No |
| Exam fees | USD $215-$310 (varies with every location) |
| Exam date | Flexible date and time throughout the year |
Data updated as of November 2023
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a standard exam to test your level of proficiency in the English language. The exam is specifically developed to test the language’s fluency in non-native English speakers.
Several educational institutions and workplaces around the globe widely recognise these tests to determine a person’s knowledge of English. It is important to remember that the score requirements vary with every university across the US.
There are two types of the IELTS exam. These exams serve different purposes, so check which would suit your requirements.
- IELTS Academic
- IELTS General Training
Difference between IELTS Academic and General Training tests
| Factor | IELTS Academic | IELTS General Training |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Suitable for candidates planning to pursue higher education abroad. | Ideal for candidates preparing to establish a career abroad and those who wish to migrate to an English-speaking country. |
| Exam pattern | Tests basic English skills like reading, writing, listening, and speaking. | Tests basic English skills like reading, writing, listening, and speaking. |
| Exam syllabus | Can expect academic-specific, high-level scenarios. | Tests the skills required in social and workplace environments. |
| Who can appear? | International students who wish to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, or other degrees abroad. | People planning to migrate or establish a career abroad. |
| Validity | 2 years | 2 years |
IELTS Academic is the exam international students take to pursue higher education in the US. The exam pattern is designed to assess their fluency in English through four sections. Here’s the exam pattern for IELTS.
Read more in detail: Academic vs General Which IELTS should you take?
IELTS exam pattern
| Sections | IELTS exam pattern | Total questions | Duration(in minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | Four recorded monologues and conversations. | 40 | 30 |
| Reading | Three long reading passages with tasks covering descriptive, factual, and analytical concepts. | 40 | 60 |
| Writing | Two short essays, each 150-250 words. The questions will be in the form of a graph, chart, or diagram. | 2 | 60 |
| Speaking | Face-to-face interview with a few short questions, a brief conversation on a topic, and a structured discussion. | 3-5 | 11-14 |
More detail: IELTS Exam Pattern
TOEFL
Key highlights
| TOEFL full form | Test of English as a Foreign Language |
| Conducted by | Educational Testing Services |
| No. of sections | 4 |
| Skills assessed | Reading, listening, writing, and speaking |
| Exam fees | USD $205-$250 (varies with every location) |
| Exam date | Available on most dates every month |
Data updated as of November 2023
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standard English language test conducted by the Educational Testing Services (ETS). The exam assesses and determines the level of English proficiency in international students through their ability to read, write, speak and listen.
TOEFL exam pattern 2023
| Section | No. of questions | Duration (in minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 30-40 | 54-72 |
| Listening | 28-39 | 41-57 |
| Speaking | 4 | 17 |
| Writing | 2 | 50 |
Data updated as of November 2023
Read more detail: TOEFL Exam Pattern
PTE
Key highlights
| PTE full form | Pearson Test of English |
| Conducted by | Pearson PLC Group |
| No. of sections | 3 |
| Skills assessed | Reading, listening, speaking and writing |
| Exam fees | USD $195-$275 (varies with every location) |
| Exam date | Available on most dates every month |
Data updated as of November 2023
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is a computer-based exam to determine an individual’s level of proficiency in the English language. The exam is accepted as proof of English fluency in several educational institutions and is known for its remarkable syllabus and fast results.
There are three types of PTE exams.
- PTE Academic
- PTE General
- PTE Academic Online
International students should attend PTE Academic to prove their level of English fluency for higher studies abroad. Here’s the pattern for the exam.
PTE exam pattern
| Section | Duration(in minutes) | PTE exam pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking and Writing | 54-67 | The longest section of the exam. The question types are curated to test your speaking and writing skills. |
| Reading | 29-30 | This section assesses your reading skills in the English language. |
| Listening | 30-43 | The listening section will analyse your listening skills in understanding spoken English. |
Explore more about PTE Exam Pattern
Duolingo
Key highlights
| Duolingo full form | Duolingo English Test |
| Conducted by | Duolingo |
| No. of sections | 3 |
| Skills assessed | Reading, listening, speaking, and writing |
| Exam fees | USD $59-$98 |
| Exam date | Flexible date and time throughout the year |
Data updated as of November 2023
The Duolingo English test determines your proficiency in the English language by testing your four skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The exam is based on computer-adaptive technology; that is, the difficulty of the test depends on the candidate’s performance. With every correct answer, the difficulty level increases and vice versa.
Duolingo exam pattern
| Section | Duration (in minutes) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction and onboarding | 5 | The candidate should verify whether the device's microphone, camera, and speakers function well. They should submit their ID (driver’s licence, passport, or government ID) for proof. |
| Adaptive test | 45 | A graded section to test the candidate’s knowledge with the help of objective and descriptive questions. Questions include multiple choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, match the following, and so on. |
| Writing and speaking sample | 10 | An ungraded video interview to analyse the candidate’s writing and speaking skills in the English language. |
Related topic: Duolingo Exam Pattern
While the Duolingo exam holds the same level of difficulty as the IELTS and TOEFL, some institutions in the US are yet to accept Duolingo’s scores for admission.
Here’s a list of Duolingo-accepting universities in the USA.
Some of the top US institutions that accept Duolingo are.
- Harvard University
- Yale University School of Art
- Princeton University
- Columbia University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Dartmouth College
- Arizona State University
- Brooklyn Law School
- Cambridge College
- Glasgow Caledonian New York College
What exams are required to study undergraduate courses in the USA?
Educational institutions in the US expect international students to showcase their aptitude, skills and readiness to pursue higher education. Here are the exams you should prepare for to study in the US.
SAT exam
Key highlights
| SAT full form | Scholastic Assessment Test |
| Conducted by | College Board |
| No. of sections | 3 |
| Skills assessed | Reading, writing and language, and maths |
| Exam fees | USD $60, excluding additional services (varies with location and other factors) |
| Exam date | The College Board will announce the dates |
Data updated as of November 2023
The SAT exam is a standard assessment for international students who plan to pursue undergraduate courses in countries like the US, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. This exam is widely recognised as proof of eligibility for international students to pursue their UG studies.
The SAT exam analyses the candidates’ mathematical, reading, and writing skills and helps them be admitted into institutions abroad. Here’s the SAT exam pattern for candidates.
SAT exam pattern
| Section | Total questions | Task type | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 52 | Multiple choice | 65 minutes |
| Writing and Language | 35 | Multiple choice | 35 minutes |
| Maths | 80 | Multiple choice and written answers | 80 minutes |
Also read
ACT exam
Key highlights
| ACT full form | American College Test |
| Conducted by | ACT Inc. |
| No. of sections | 4 |
| Skills assessed | English, reading, science, and maths. |
| Exam fees | USD $68-$93, excluding additional services (varies with location and other factors) |
| Exam date | ACT Inc. will announce the dates |
Data updated as of November 2023
The American College Testing (ACT) exam is a standardised assessment for admission to undergraduate courses in the US and Canada. It is an online or paper-based examination that evaluates the student's subject-wise knowledge and readiness to college.
ACT exam pattern
| ACT exam section | Total questions (MCQ) | Duration(Minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| English | 75 | 45 |
| Math | 60 | 60 |
| Reading | 40 | 35 |
| Science | 40 | 35 |
| Writing (optional) | 1 (essay) | 40 |
Read more about the ACT Exam pattern | How to convert from ACT to SAT
MCAT exam
Key highlights
| MCAT full form | Medical College Admission Test |
| Conducted by | American Medical Colleges Association |
| No. of sections | 4 |
| Skills assessed | Biology, psychology, chemistry, critical analysis, and reasoning |
| Exam fees | USD $335, excluding additional services |
| Exam date | American Medical Colleges Association will determine the dates |
Data updated as of November 2023
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a mandatory assessment for international students to enter medical schools in the US. This 7.5-hour computer-based test assesses your abilities and knowledge identifiable in medical school and medical practice as critical requirements, such as medical knowledge, verbal reasoning and writing skills.
Also read: Top 10 medical colleges in world
MCAT exam pattern
| Sections | Total questions | Duration (in minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems | 59 | 95 |
| Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems | 59 | 95 |
| Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behaviour | 59 | 95 |
| Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills | 53 | 90 |
Also read
- MCAT Exam Pattern and Syllabus
- 7 things a medical student wishes she knew before starting medical school
LSAT
Key highlights
| LSAT full form | Law School Admission Test |
| Conducted by | Law School Admission Council |
| No. of sections | 4 |
| Skills assessed | Reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, logical reasoning |
| Exam fees | USD $222 (excluding additional services) |
| Exam date | The Law School Admission Council will determine the dates |
Data updated as of November 2023
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is the standardised test used as part of the admissions process for law schools across the US. It comprises four multiple-choice sections and a writing task—which can be completed up to eight days before your exam date.
LSAT tests your reading comprehension, reasoning and analytical reasoning and helps demonstrate your readiness for law school.
LSAT exam pattern
| Sections | Total questions | Duration (in minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Reading comprehension | 26-28 | 35 |
| Analytical reasoning | 22-24 | 35 |
| Logical reasoning | 24-26 | 35 |
| LSAT writing | 1 | 35 |
What exams are required to study postgraduate courses in the USA?
Entrance exams for postgraduate courses like GMAT and GRE play a vital role in international students' admission into educational institutions in the US. Here's a detailed rundown of the exams you should prepare if you are applying for PG courses.
GMAT
Key highlights
| GMAT full form | Graduate Management Aptitude Test |
| Conducted by | Graduate Management Aptitude Council |
| No. of sections | 4 |
| Skills assessed | Analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and integrated reasoning |
| Exam fees | USD $250 (excluding additional services) |
| Exam date | The Law School Admission Council will determine the dates |
Data updated as of November 2023
The Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) is an exam for international students who wish to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or other management studies.
GMAT is a computer-adaptive test; that is, the flow of the test and the difficulty depends on your performance. The AI adapts to the answers you choose and provides the following questions based on your performance level.
GMAT exam pattern
| Section | Duration (in minutes) | Total questions |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 30 | 1 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 62 | 31 |
| Verbal Reasoning | 65 | 36 |
| Integrated Reasoning | 30 | 12 |
Also read: GMAT exam pattern | GMAT exam syllabus
GRE
Key highlights
| GRE full form | Graduate Record Examination |
| Conducted by | Educational Testing Services |
| No. of sections | 3 |
| Skills assessed | Analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning |
| Exam fees | USD $220-$271 (excluding additional services) (varies with location) |
| Exam date | ETS will determine the dates |
Data updated as of November 2023
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standard assessment that assesses the academic and practical skills of international students who plan to pursue their postgraduate studies abroad. The exam focuses on analysing the students’ ability in critical and abstract thinking and their problem-solving skills.
There are two types of the GRE.
- GRE General Test
- GRE Subject Test
GRE General Test pattern
| Skill evaluated | Sections | Total questions | Total duration(in minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 1 | 2 tasks | 60 |
| Verbal Reasoning | 2 | 20 (each section) | 60 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 2 | 20 (each section) | 70 |
| Research | Varies | Varies | Varies |
| Unscored section | Varies | Varies | Varies |
GRE Subject Test pattern
| Field of study | Total questions | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | 100 | 2 hours 50 minutes |
| Chemistry | 130 | 2 hours 50 minutes |
| Mathematics | 66 | 2 hours 50 minutes |
| Psychology | 205 | 2 hours 50 minutes |
Also read: GMAT vs GRE - Which is easier?
A rundown on the US entrance exams for international students
| Exam name | Application fee (in USD) | Total duration |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | $215-$310 | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| TOEFL | $205-$250 | 3 hours |
| PTE | $195-$275 | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
| Duolingo | $59-$98 | 1 hour |
| SAT | $60 | 3 hours and 45 minutes |
| ACT | $68-$93 | 3 hours and 30 minutes |
| GMAT | $250 | 3 hours |
| GRE | $220-$271 | 3 hours and 45 minutes |
| MCAT | $335 | 7 hours and 30 minutes |
| LSAT | $222 | 3 hours and 30 minutes |
Frequently asked questions
What exams are required to study in the USA after the 12th?
Here are the exams you should take to study in the US after high school.
| For English proficiency | For undergraduate courses |
|---|---|
| IELTS | SAT |
| TOEFL | ACT |
| PTE | MCAT |
| Duolingo | LSAT |
What exams are required to study in the USA after the 10th?
Here are the exams you can prepare for to study in the US.
| For English proficiency | For undergraduate courses |
|---|---|
| IELTS | SAT |
| TOEFL | ACT |
| PTE | MCAT |
| Duolingo | LSAT |
Remember that most of your English proficiency exam scores are valid for two years. So you can start preparing after your 10th and attend the exam when you plan to move to the US.
Do you need the SAT for a master's in the US?
The SAT exam assesses a student’s knowledge readiness for undergraduate courses. So, international students planning to pursue a master’s need not attend the SAT to study in the US.
Which exam is required for MS in the USA for Indian students?
Here are the exams for MS in the USA for Indian students.
For English proficiency
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- PTE
- Duolingo
For MS
- GRE
- GMAT (for MBA aspirants)
What exams are required to study for a master's degree in the USA?
GRE and GMAT are the major exams required to pursue a master’s in the US.
Is IELTS compulsory in the USA?
IELTS or other English proficiency exams are a mandatory requirement for international students to study in the US. These assessments evaluate your level of fluency in English by testing your reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills.
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