STANDARIZED TESTS

IN THIS POST’I’LL BE TALKING ABOUT ALL THE STANDARIZED EXAMS (TESTS) THAT YOU NEED TO APPEAR IN ORDER TO APPLY TO THE U.S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. 

1.  TOEFL (TEST OF ENGLISH AS FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

The TOEFL test measures the ability of non-native English speakers to communicate in English in an academic setting. More institutions accept TOEFL than any other English-proficiency test in the world.

The TOEFL Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)

• 4 Sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing)
• Full Marks-120 (30 for each section)
• Latest “version” of the TOEFL test
• Administered through the Internet

[FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION - www.ets.org/toefl]

2.    SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)(SAT-1)(SAT Reasoning Test) 

All undergraduate applicants are highly recommended to take the SAT (Reasoning Test).This Exam Measures your English and Math Skills.The test is composed of three sections:

·Reading (Critical Reading) (CR) - It has sentence completion and passage-based reading questions.

·Mathematics –It is based on math that college-bound students learn during their first three years of high school.

·Writing –It has multiple choice questions and a written essay.

 Negative marking-Yes (1/4 Deducted for each wrong answer)

FULL SCORE—2400 (800/section)

Administered 6-7 times a year

However, some colleges only see your reading and math scores (Composite Score) while reviewing your application.

[FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION – www.collegeboard.com]

 3.  ACT (American College Test)

ACT stands for the American College Test. The test is paper-based and consists of Reading, Science, Mathematics, and an optional Writing section. It is more of a curriculum based test. The total score for the ACT is 36 points. The cost of ACT is $59 without the writing section; including the writing section, it costs $74. If you wish to take the writing exam, you must choose a test in October, December or April. The ACT is offered five to six times a year.  
NEGATIVE MARKING-NO

[FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION –  www.actstudent.org]
4. SAT SUBJECT TEST (SAT-II)

If you plan to apply to TOP LEVEL UNIVERSITIES, you will need to take the SAT Subject Tests, which are subject-specific tests that demonstrate to a U.S. college that you have skills in a certain subject. But Even if you are not applying to ivy-leagues, you definitely also can take the SAT Subject tests.

      ·         Mathematics: Math Level 1, Math Level 2

·         Science: Biology E/M(Ecology/Molecular),Chemistry,Physics

·         English: Literature

·         History: U.S History,World History

·         Foreign Languages: Chinese with Listening, French, French with Listening, German, German with Listening, Modern Hebrew, Italian, Japanese with Listening, Korean with Listening, Latin, Spanish, Spanish with Listening

 [FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION – www.collegeboard.com]

[Good scores on the SAT / ACT and SAT Subject Tests will be very important especially if you are applying to competitive colleges and for scholarships. Furthermore, for many American colleges, submission of a SAT/ ACT score is required in order to apply for admission. Therefore, it is in your best interest to take not only TOEFL, but also SAT / ACT and SAT Subject Tests.]
5. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is the general test for students applying for master’s and PhD studies in fields other than management or MBA. This computer-based test consists of Analytical Writing, Verbal and Quantitative sections. The total score for analytical writing is six points and the Verbal and Quantitative sections are scored out of 800 points each. The cost for the GRE is $190.

6.   GRE Subject Tests
The GRE Subject Tests are paper-based tests in eight subject areas. Students need to give the test only if the college or university requires it. There are approximately three test dates in a year. Therefore, students must decide and prepare for the exam well in advance if they want to take the test. The cost for each subject test is $160.

[FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION –www.ets.org/gre]

7.   GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

 The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is for graduate level applicants who are applying for an MBA or management related fields. The GMAT measures a student’s ability in analytical writing, verbal, and quantitative skills. The overall marks are 800 points. The GMAT costs $250.

[FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION – www.mba.com]

Other Exams

 8.     GED

General Educational Development (GED) Tests measure high-school level skills and knowledge in the following five subjects: Language Arts, Writing; Language Arts, Reading; Social Studies; Mathematics; and Science. It is a test that offers a “second chance” for students who have not completed traditional high school. The GED is a computer-based exam. 

 [FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION – www.acenet.edu/clll/ged/index.cfm andwww.prometric.com/ged.]

9.  AP Exams

Advanced Placement, or AP, exams are college-level exams administered by the College Board. Good scores on AP exams can provide you advanced standing as well as college credit when you join U.S. undergraduate colleges and universities. Exams are paper-based and available in more than 30 subjects.

 [FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION – www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html]

10. USMLE

For medical doctors wanting to pursue graduate medical education in the United States, certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is often required because graduate medical education involves completing a ‘residency,’ which is a period of clinical training in a chosen medical specialty. One component of ECFMG certification is passing Steps 1 and 2 of the USMLE, the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination.

[FOR MORE INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION – www.usmle.org]