Full Form of IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, PTE, ACT, DET

Full form of IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, PTE, ACT, DET: Most of us have come across these exam names but we often forget their full forms, don’t we? So, here’s the deal!

You need to have a proper checklist to study abroad, the process/steps to follow and the right guidance or execution. One such important requirement is to clear study abroad exams that will make you eligible for your course and will help you get admission to your desired university. Each of these entrance exams is important when a candidate is planning to study abroad. 

So, we are here not only to tell you the full form of IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, PTE, ACT, DET but also the significance of each exam along with their important details.

Full Form of IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, PTE, ACT, DET

Let’s have a quick overview of the full forms of IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, PTE, ACT, DET in the below-mentioned table along with their respective exam fees for Indian students

Our study abroad experts offer a wide range of test prep services keeping in mind the unique requirements and schedules of each student.

IELTS Full Form

As mentioned earlier, the IELTS exam full form is International English Language Testing System. It is one of the most popular language proficiency tests for English that students take to study abroad in popular countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. The exam is appropriate for those who want to relocate to an English-speaking country. 

The IELTS is a requirement for Indian students to demonstrate their understanding of the language. The exam focuses on the test taker's ability to communicate in four core English language abilities: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Aside from knowing about the IELTS full form, candidates must also know that there are three different types of IELTS exams that can be taken. These are:

• IELTS Academic: This test style is appropriate for students who desire to pursue higher studies in an English-speaking nation. It is also suitable for professional registration.

• IELTS General Training: It is appropriate for candidates interested in pursuing education below the degree level, such as schools and colleges. Apart from this, IELTS General Training can also be used for work experience or job training.

• IELTS UKVI: This IELTS is a government-approved Secure English Language Test (SLET). The IELTS UKVI is required to demonstrate a candidate's command of the English language for UK visa and immigration purposes.

IELTS Exam Pattern

Now that we are aware of the IELTS full form in English, let us have a look at the IELTS exam pattern and what each section entails. Aspirants must note that the syllabus for all IELTS exams remains the same and only differs slightly. The table mentioned below will explain to you the IELTS exam pattern:

SAT Full Form

Earlier, the SAT exam full form was Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests, but now, the exam’s acronym meaning has been dropped. Every year, about 2 million students from 170+ countries take the SAT exam, according to recent statistics.

In addition, most universities and colleges in the United States require an undergraduate applicant to submit either the SAT or ACT scores, which we shall discuss shortly. In India, the SAT is conducted 5 times a year, in March, May, August, October, and December. Furthermore, there is no limit to the number of times an applicant can take the SAT. 

While there are no age restrictions, statistics show that candidates aged 17 to 19 are among the most likely to take the SAT exam. In brief, students who intend to apply for undergraduate studies abroad are required to take the SAT exam to advance to the next stage of their education.

SAT Exam Pattern

Post knowing about SAT full form, here is a brief overview of the SAT exam pattern that will help aspirants to know more about this test.

• SAT-I (Reasoning Test): The SAT-I is a 3-hour MCQ-based examination designed to assess verbal and quantitative reasoning abilities. The SAT-I is required for the majority of universities.

• SAT-II (Subject Test): The SAT-II is a 1-hour MCQ-based test that assesses knowledge of certain subjects as well as the ability to apply that information. Aside from the SAT-I, a few universities also require this score.

Here is an updated exam structure for SAT which aspirants should know after knowing about the SAT full form:

Note: The SAT includes sections such as critical reading, mathematics, and writing to assess the knowledge required to access and solve problems.

GRE Full Form

After knowing about the IELTS full form and SAT full form, the next test on our list to know is the GRE full form. The GRE stands for Graduate Record Examinations and is conducted by Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is majorly required by US universities and a few other countries for postgraduate level admissions and is valid for 5 years. The test offers schools a common metric for comparing the qualifications of candidates. The GRE are of two types: 

• GRE General Test: Prospective graduates and business school applicants who want to pursue degrees such as MBA, MSc, specialised master's in business, doctoral, or law degrees take the GRE General Test. It consists of questions based on the abilities and thinking required to succeed in today's competitive business school and graduate programs.

• GRE Subject Test: The Subject test assesses your knowledge of a specific topic of study. This exam is designed for students with a strong foundation or an undergraduate degree in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology. GRE Subject test scores are used by fellowship or admissions panels to supplement your past college/education qualification and records, other qualifications, and Letters of Recommendation (LORs).

GRE Exam Pattern

After knowing about the GRE exam full form, let’s also take a quick look at the GRE (General Test) exam pattern for computer-based test and paper-based tests:

GRE Computer-Based Test

GRE Paper-Based Test

GMAT Full Form

One of the most common entrance exams that aspirants give to study MBA abroad in a prestigious b-school is none other than GMAT. The GMAT full form is Graduate Management Admission Test which is a 3-hour 7 minutes long computer adaptive test. The test measures analytical, quantitative, verbal, and writing abilities. Test takers are evaluated based on these abilities and are assigned a GMAT score between 200 and 800 in 10-point increments. 

When candidates apply to business schools for MBA programmes, admissions committees use this score. GMAC administers the GMAT exam to provide business schools with consistent measurements of applicants' readiness for graduate-level academic work. The GMAT is a computer adaptive examination, which means that the software adapts to your performance as you proceed through the exam. 

As a result, the score is computed based on your skill level, i.e., the difficulty level of questions that you successfully answer rather than the number of questions that you correctly answer.

GMAT Exam Pattern

Now that you know about the GMAT exam full form, let us take a look at the below table to get an idea about the GMAT exam pattern:

TOEFL Full Form

Apart from IELTS, another popular and widely accepted English Proficiency Test is none other than the TOEFL. The TOEFL full form is the Test of English as a Foreign Language is among the most widely accepted exams to prove English language proficiency at American and Canadian universities and other colleges across the globe. 

The exam evaluates international students' knowledge and comprehension of English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university contexts. ETS (Educational Testing Services) is the organisation in charge of administering the TOEFL exam. Due to the pandemic, students can now take the TOEFL exam from the comfort of their own homes, owing to the introduction of the TOEFL at Home Edition.

The TOEFL Essential Test, a shorter but equally effective version of the TOEFL test, was also issued by ETS. TOEFL is administered approximately 50 times per year, and candidates can take the test after passing the 12th-grade exam from a reputable board or university. It allows you to take the exam as many times as you want, but there must be a 12-day interval between prior and current tests.

TOEFL Exam Pattern

Post knowing about the TOEFL exam full form, let’s now go through the TOEFL exam pattern of the TOEFL iBT test:

PTE Full Form

Another English Proficiency Test apart from IELTS and TOEFL is the PTE. The PTE exam full form is Pearson Test of English exam. It is an exam undertaken by students and aspirants who aim to study/settle abroad in an English-speaking country. The PTE evaluates your overall English language ability. It tests your English speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills as a computer-based English language test to verify that you can study in an international setting. 

The PTE test is powered by AI technology and is intended to give quick and efficient testing solutions while minimising human bias.

PTE Exam Pattern

Let’s now examine the PTE exam pattern after getting to know about the PTE full form: 

ACT Full Form

Another exam on our list that most aspirants give to study abroad, especially in the USA is the ACT exam. The ACT exam full form is American College Testing. The ACT is a standardised test that analyses your college preparation and takes your scores into account during the admissions process. This is one part of determining your eligibility for admission to a college or university. 

The ACT exam is divided into five sections: English, Maths, Reading, Science, and the optional Writing (essay). Students applying to undergraduate programs in the United States and Canada must take the ACT exam.

ACT Exam Pattern

After knowing about the ACT full form, the below-mentioned table will let you know about the ACT exam pattern: 

DET Full Form

Last but not the least, on our list is the DET exam. The DET full form is Duolingo English Test. The Duolingo English Test is an English proficiency assessment designed for today's international students and institutions. 

The test is available on-demand online. Students do not need to book an appointment or drive to their respective test centres. They can easily take the test from the comfort of their homes using a computer and a webcam. The test is given utilising computer adaptive technology, which means that the question difficulty is tailored to each test taker. When you submit your results, a video interview and writing sample are forwarded to a university along with your proficiency score. 

The complete exam experience lasts for less than an hour. The results of the DET exam are validated within 48 hours and can be shared with an unlimited number of universities or colleges abroad.

DET Exam Pattern

Let’s take a quick overview of the DET exam pattern after knowing about the DET full form, with the help of the table mentioned below:

Note: The first 5 minutes of the test are an introductory part that walks test-takers through the setting of the Duolingo English test.

We hope that after knowing the full form of IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, PTE, ACT, DET, you must have got a fair idea about the above-mentioned exams and their exam patterns. Having said that, one must know that exams like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and DET are English Language Proficiency Tests that are required by universities as proof of your understanding of the English language. 

Apart from this, these exams are also used in the immigration process for applying for a student visa to study abroad. On the contrary, exams like SAT, GRE, GMAT and ACT evaluate or assess the analytical ability of the aspirants to seek admission to foreign universities for undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

Also, one must keep in mind that those who are preparing/appearing for SAT, GRE, GMAT and ACT exams have to also appear for English Language Proficiency Tests to study in a foreign university.  

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