The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) measures the language proficiency of individuals who want to study or work in countries where English is used as a language of communication.
IELTS exam is conducted worldwide by British Council, UK and IDP, Australia. This test is available in two formats academic and general.
Academic IELTS -If applying for higher education or professional registration in English speaking countries.
General IELTS – If migrating to Australia, Canada or the UK.
One can appear for IELTS test as many times as required. It is conducted 4 -5 times every month. The test score is valid for 2 years.
Exam Pattern
i) Reading Section
3 Sections, Time Allotted – 20 mins. for each section
ii) Listening Section
4 Section, Time Allotted – 30 mins.
iii) Speaking Section
Time Allotted – 11 to 15 mins
iv) Writing Section
2 Sections, Time Allotted – 20 mins for 1section and 40 mins for other section
Applicants can report their IELTS score to maximum of 5 universities as per the STED RO list free of cost after receiving the IELTS result.
Additional Test Score Reporting Fees
INR 250 per Institution via post INR 1250 via courier.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a test for English aptitude at any level for foreign universities. Administered by non-profit organization ETS (Educational Testing Service), TOEFL measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand English as it is spoken, written and heard in college and university settings. iBT stands for Internet Based Test which is the most common form of TOEFL conducted worldwide.
Students who want to apply for higher education overseas, scholarship and certification candidates, students and workers applying for visa can take TOEFL test any number of times not more than once in a 12-day period.
Exam Pattern
i) Reading Section
36 – 70 questions, Time Allotted – 60 to 100 mins.
ii) Listening Section
34 – 51 questions, Time Allotted – 60 to 90 mins.
iii) Speaking Section
6 Tasks, Time Allotted – 20 mins.
iv) Writing Section
2 Tasks, Time Allotted – 50 mins.
Total Time
4 hours
Nature of Exam
Internet Based Test (iBT) and Computer Based Test (CBT)
Total Scores
TOEFL iBT is out of 120
Other Details
Website
http://www.ets.org/toefl
Registration
Online
Test Fees
US $180
Score Validity
2 Years
Frequency of Test
Throughout the year (On weekends)
Score Reporting
There is a provision of reporting your TOEFL test scores to a maximum of four universities of your choice, the cost of which is built into the TOEFL test fee you pay.
Additional Test Score Reporting Fees
US $20
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
Pearson Test of English (PTE) is an English language test for non-native English speakers who want to study abroad. It examines reading, writing, listening and speaking abilities. PTE is an approved test by the Australian Government for visa applications and accepted by thousands of institutions in the UK, Australia, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland.
There are two types of PTE –
PTE Academic is a computer-based English language test aimed at non-native English speakers who want to study abroad.
PTE General used to assess the English language proficiency and consists of a written paper and an interview.
Students can appear for PTE academic any number of times. However, they must receive the score of their previous test before applying for the next one.
Exam Pattern
i) Speaking and Writing Section
77 – 93 minutes
ii) Reading Section
32 – 41 minutes
iii) Listening Section
45 – 57 minutes
Total Time
3 hours
Nature of Exam
Computer Based Test
Total Scores
PTE score is out of 90 points
Other Details
Website
http://pearsonpte.com
Registration
Online
Test Fees
INR 17,000
Score Validity
02 Years
Score Reporting
You can send your PTE Academic scores to as many institutions as you choose – there are no additional fees for extra score reports.
Frequency of Test
All round the year
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is the most commonly required admission test for graduate and business schools in the US. GRE is administered by a non-profit organization ETS (Educational Testing Service). It is used to assess an individual’s critical thinking, analytical writing, quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning abilities.
Prospective graduate or business school applicants can take GRE once in every 21 days for up to five times within any continuous 12-month period.
Exam Pattern
i) Verbal Reasoning
Two Sections – 20 questions in each section, Time Allotted – 30 mins per section
ii) Quantitative Reasoning
Two Sections – 20 questions in each section, Time Allotted – 35 mins per section.
iii) Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
Two Essays – Issue & Argument, Time Allotted – 30mins each.
Total Time
3 hours, 45 minutes
Nature of Exam
Computer Based Adaptive Test
Total Scores
GRE score is out of 340.
Other Details
Website
http://www.ets.org/gre
Registration
Online
Test Fees
US $205
Score Validity
5 Years
Score Reporting
There is a provision of reporting your GRE test scores to a maximum of four universities of your choice, the cost of which is built into the GRE test fee you pay
Additional Test Score Reporting Fees
US $27
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is an entrance test for admissions to quality business programs offered by eminent business schools worldwide. Administered by Graduate Management Admission Council, GMAT is a computer adaptive test that broadly assesses your analytical, writing, verbal, quantitative and reading skills.
Prospective students who want to apply to management programs like MBA can appear for GMAT for up to 5 times in any 12-month period. However, they cannot apply more than once in any 16-day period.
Exam Pattern
i) Analytical Writing Assessment
1 Argument essay, Time Allotted – 30 mins.
ii) Integrated Reasoning
12 questions, Time Allotted – 30 mins.
iii) Quantitative Section
37 questions, Time allotted – 75 mins
iv) Verbal Section
41 questions, Time allotted – 75 mins.
Total Time
3 hours, 30 minutes
Nature of Exam
Computer Based Test (CBT)
Total Scores
GMAT score is out of 800.
Other Details
Website
http://www.mba.com
Registration
Online
Test Fees
US $205
Score Validity
5 Years
Score Reporting
There is a provision of reporting your GMAT test scores to a maximum of five universities of your choice, the cost of which is built into the GMAT test fee you pay.
Additional Test Score Reporting Fees
US $28
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) s one of the standardized college admissions tests in the USA (The other is ACT). It is taken by students seeking admission at undergraduate level in the USA. The SAT test evaluates the written, verbal and mathematical skills of the candidates.
There are two types of SAT
SAT General Test
SAT Subject Test – It is designed to measure a secondary school student’s proficiency in a particular subject.
Exam Pattern
i) Evidence-Based Reading and Writing
Total Marks – 800 Reading Test – 52 standard multiple-choice questions Time Allotted – 65 minutes Writing & Language Test – 44 standard multiple – choice Time Allotted – 35 minutes
ii) Mathematics
Total Marks – 800 No Calculator – 25 questions Time Allotted – 25 minutes Calculator – 38 questions Time Allotted – 55 minutes
iii) Essay (Optional and Separate)
Score – 2 to 8 scale 1 evidence based essay Time Allotted – 50 minutes
Total Time
SAT without Essay – 3 hours SAT with Essay – 3 hours and 50 minutes.
Nature of Exam
Paper Based Test (PBT)
Total Scores
SAT score is out of 1600
Other Details
Website
http://www.collegeboard.org
Registration
Online/Draft
Test Fees
SAT with Essay $106 SAT without Essay $94
Frequency of Test
SAT General Test – October, December, March, and May. SAT Subject Test – October, November, December, May, and June.
Score Validity
5 Years
Score Reporting
There is a provision of reporting your SAT test scores to a maximum of four universities of your choice until 9 days after the test, the cost of which is built into the SAT test fee you pay.