Students are required to take some standardized tests as proof of their language proficiency and academic eligibility to be eligible for admission in colleges and universities of the USA. These test scores measure and compare students from various educational backgrounds. There are different tests accessing compatibility for other courses. You need to take exams that might be suggested or required by the university you’re applying to. Therefore, you must consult with your university or admission counselor.
To help you understand, we have researched what exams are required to study in the USA. Read on to know everything about the exams needed to study in the USA.
Here’s the list of the exams required to study in the USA along with the fee and important details:
ACT (American College Test)
The multiple-choice test is a standardized college admission test. It evaluates critical thinking and analytical skills to understand the readiness of students to join a college. The official ACT scores vary depending on the universities and courses one is applying for. The minimum accepted score is 22 in general. Here are the further details related to ACT Exam–
| Exam duration | 3 hours, 35 minutes (writing included) |
| Exam fees | INR 12,358 (with writing)INR 11,167 (without writing) |
| Number of Sections | MathEnglishReading ScienceWriting (option) |
| Qualifying score | 22 |
| Who should apply for the ACT | High school graduates applying for UG courses, stronghold on science, trigonometry and English |
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
SAT Exam is a multiple-choice test that helps in evaluating students’ knowledge in writing, reading, and mathematics. This paper-based test also helps to obtain grants from the government. The College Board examines students applying for admission in undergraduate courses by looking at the SAT scores. Top universities accept SAT scores in the USA, including Harvard. Many universities in India also accept SAT scores for admission.
| Exam duration | 3 hours, 50 minutes (writing included) |
| Exam fees | INR 7,892 (with writing)INR 6,997 (without writing) |
| Number of Sections | ReadingWritingMathematics |
| Qualifying score | 400-1600 |
| Who should apply for the SAT | High school graduates applying for UG courses, strong problem-solving capability |
Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
GRE Test is mandatory if you are applying for engineering and a master’s in the USA. Along with GRE, there are subject-specific tests that one can take up. Some business schools have also started accepting GRE scores for admission in MBA. The test comprises three different sections and is accepted by more than 1400 universities across the globe. It is available in online and offline mode.
| Type of test | General test and Subject test |
| Sections | Analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning |
| Score | 160 |
| Test Duration | General- 3 hours, 45 minutesSubject- 2 hours, 50 minutes |
| Who can take the test | Students aiming to take admission in MBA, MS, and law etc. |
| Exam fees | General- INR 15,165Subject- INR 10,989 |
LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
To take admission in law, taking up LSAT is mandatory for students. The accepted score for the LSAT is 130. However, if you want to take admission in top law schools such as Yale, Harvard, Stanford, and more, you will have to score higher than 160.
| Exam duration | 2 hours, 20 minutes |
| Exam fees | INR 3,800 |
| Number of Sections | Analytical reasoningLogical reasoning 1, and 2Reading comprehension |
| Qualifying score | 150-160 |
| Who should apply for LSAT | Students aiming to enroll in law schools |
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
GMAT exam is mandatory if you aim to take admission in top B-schools in the USA. The average score students need to score is around 700. A GMAT score is required if you wish to pursue an MBA in the USA. Please note that though many universities do not require GMAT scores while taking admission, companies ask for it while interviewing.
| Exam duration | 3 hours, 07 minutes (excluding two 8-minute breaks) |
| Exam fees | INR 18,620 |
| Number of Sections | Integrated ReasoningVerbal reasoningQuantitative reasoningWriting |
| Qualifying score | 650-700 |
| Who should apply for GMAT | Students enrolling for MBA |
MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
Students aspiring to enroll in medical school need to appear for the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). The computer-based test evaluates biological and physical science, writing skills, and verbal reasoning. There are also psychological, biological, and social behavior foundation sections. MCAT is generally a success predictor test that officials use to determine whether you can survive through the course and its rigorous curriculum.
| Exam duration | 7 hours, 30 minutes |
| Exam fees | INR 25,750 |
| Number of Sections | CARS, Biology, Physical Science, Psychology, Biological and social behavioral foundations |
| Qualifying score | 500-650 |
| Who should apply for MCAT | Students aiming to enroll in medical schools |
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Almost all the universities in the USA accept IELTS scores to measure the English Proficiency of international students. However, many universities do not require the IELTS score if you have documents to support your language knowledge.
| Exam duration | 2 hours, 45 minutes |
| Exam fees | INR 14,700 |
| Number of Sections | SpeakingReadingWriting, &Listening |
| Qualifying score | 6.0 to 8.0 |
| Who should apply for IELTS | Students aiming to enroll in best universities of the USA |
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
TOEFL Exam is one of the majorly used English language frequency tests to determine the required language knowledge. Students aspiring to enroll in Ph.D. will also have to take the test and score higher to be eligible. However, you need to consult with the university you are enrolling to confirm the exam scores that they require for admission.
| Exam duration | 2 hours, 30 minutes |
| Exam fees | INR 13,832 |
| Number of Sections | SpeakingReadingWriting, &Listening |
| Qualifying score | 600 to 900 |
| Who should apply for TOEFL | Students aiming to enroll in best universities of the USA |
PTE (Pearson English Test)
PTE is an English language computer-based exam commonly accepted by all the universities around the globe. For students seeking to study in a major English-speaking country, the PTE-academic test is most beneficial to them. It is a computer-based test and recently has launched the test-from-home format.
| Exam duration | 3 hours |
| Exam fees | INR 13,300 |
| Number of Sections | SpeakingReadingWriting, &Listening |
| Qualifying score | 600 to 900 |
| Who should apply for PTE | Students aiming to enroll in best universities of the USA |
What exams are required to study in the USA after 12th?
| Test | Fee |
| TOEFL | INR 14, 500 |
| ACT | INR 6,000- 7,700 |
| SAT | INR 6,000- 7,700 |
| IELTS | INR 12,000 |
| LSAT | INR 3,800 |
| GRE | INR 14,600 |
| MCAT | INR 25,700 |
| GMAT | INR 18,800 |