Entrance Exams to Study in the USA

An international student always dreams of studying in the USA. Well, why wouldn't one? It is a power-packed combination of unique education facilities, top universities on the global level, and distinct curricula. In the QS World University Rankings 2022, the US universities are ranking at the top for over half of the academic disciplines. The rankings are proof of the excellence of its academic environment in the US. Additionally, US universities let you choose your own course content and structure. Also, the multicultural and amicable environment is a lucrative opportunity for any student who aspires to study at an American university.

However, given how popular the US is, getting into a US university can become difficult if you do not have an idea about the eligibility criteria or the entrance exams required to study in the US. Each international student will have to take a few entrance exams to gain admission to universities in the US. The tests in the US are standardized and have been designed to check the eligibility of the candidate to study at the university. Also important to remember is that you will have to appear for these US entrance tests according to the choice of your course and study domain.

Without further ado, let us now look at the entrance exams to study for Bachelors' and Masters's in the US.

Students from all over the globe who are seeking admissions to top universities in the USA have turned to our Study Abroad Experts who have assisted them in getting to the colleges. Almost everyone has been able to study at their dream institution.

Entrance Exams to Study Bachelors in the USA

Students often question what exams are required to study in USA for undergraduate? Here is a list of entrance examinations that one has to go through to study for bachelors, in the universities in the USA:

ACT

American College Test is a comprehensive test administered for admission to the USA colleges and universities. The entrance test estimates the preparedness of students to study for a Bachelor's degree and their ability to successfully complete them. It is also the entrance exam for engineering in USA. It tests the four major skills of the candidate, namely, English, Mathematics, Reading, and Scientific Reasoning. The ACT tests are declared by the conducting body every year. The lowest ACT score that a US college will accept is 22. But the cut-off varies from college to college The candidates should feel motivated to get an ACT score of a minimum of 24 to apply to top universities in USA. The students of high school wishing to study undergraduate courses in the US should appear for the ACT or the SAT depending on the requirement of the university. The duration of the examination is 3 hours 35 minutes and ACT fees in India isaround INR 12,500.

SAT

The Scholastic Assessment Test is the oldest test for admission to Bachelor's courses at universities in the USA. The examination evaluates students' numerical, written, and verbal efficiency. SAT dates are declared every year by the College Board. If you score well on the SAT, it will help you obtain aid from the government to study in the US. SAT scores are accepted in almost all universities across the USA and are appeared by high schoolers not only from abroad but also from the US. The SAT has three sections, reading, writing, and mathematics section. The qualifying score for the SAT is between 400 and 1600 to get admission to popular US universities. Your SAT score must be more than 1300 to get admission to the top universities in the USA.SAT tests takes a longer time than the ACT and is for 3 hours 50 minutes and SAT fees in India is around INR8,000.

Entrance Exams to Study Masters in the USA

Students willing to study master's abroad often question which exam is required for masters in USA? If a student wants to pursue a master's in the USA, then he has to appear for the following entrance tests.

GRE

The Graduate Record Examination is taken by students opting for admission to business, management studies, and law. One question is frequently asked by the students which exam is required for MS in USA for Indian students? One of the entrance exams for MSin USA is GRE. GRE is conducted by Education Testing Service and its assessment is accepted by the major universities in the USA. The GRE exam tests verbal reasoning skills, writing skills, and quantitative skills which help colleges to understand the grey matter of the student. The best part of GRE examination is that it can be taken at any age. The cost of the GRE exam is around 15000 INR in India for the general paper and INR 10,000 for the subject paper. The scores are now accepted for admission to MBA by some schools. The duration of the general paper for GRE is of 3 hours 45 minutes and the subject-specific test is of 2 hours 50 minutes. The average GRE score range is 160 which helps to get admission to famous universities in USA and abroad.

GMAT

The Graduate Management Admission Test is required by the students who are inspired to study MBA, Master of Accountancy, or Master of Finance and other programs in the USA.GMAT is held by Graduate Management Admission Council. Though GRE scores are now widely accepted yet GMAT has not lost its popularity. The GMAT examination takes place for 3 hours and 7 minutes. There are four major sections in GMAT that assess the students. The verbal section, integrated reasoning section, quantitative section, and analytical writing assessment. The GMAT qualifying score is between 650 and 700. The cost for the GMAT is INR 18,620 for Indian students.

Other Entrance Exams to Study in the USA

Here is a list of the rest of the entrance examinations to study law or medicine in the US:

LSAT

Law School Admission Test or LSAT is compulsory for students seeking admission in law courses. The Law School Admission Council administers the LSAT. The law schools of Harvard and Yale accept an LSAT score of more than 160 however the other top colleges can go down to about 130 in the LSAT examination. The test measures four areas of students intellectual ability. The sections are- logic games, reading comprehension, 2 sections of logical reasoning, and an additional section that covers random topics. The LSAT exam spans around 2 hours 20 mins and the LSAT cost in India is INR 3,800.

MCAT

Medical College Admission Test is essential for the study of medicine in the US. The students who wish to pursue the medical profession appear for this test. The examination contains four sections that check the prior knowledge of students required for studying medicine. MCAT tests background comprehension of physical sciences, biological sciences, and verbal reasoning. The examination is a long and hectic one that lasts for 7.5 hours. A candidate has to answer a total of 230 questions. The MCATqualifying score accepted by the top medical schools is between 500-650. In Indian currency, it takes around INR 25,000 to appear for the MCAT test.

English Proficiency Tests to Study in the USA

Apart from the above entrance examination tests, the students have to appear for the English language proficiency test, irrespective of the course they are studying for. The most popular and widely-acknowledged English language tests in the US are IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE Academic.

If you wish to study in the USA and require clarity on the admission tests for your choice of subject contact our study abroad experts.