As an international student wishing to further your education in the USA, your journey will begin with specific exams in order to receive admittance from US universities. These prerequisite standardized exams required to study in USA serve as a means to compare students from different academic backgrounds across the globe. 

Without delay, let's get to the point and find out about all the exams required to study in USA, their exam pattern, and so on.

Overviews of exams to study in USA

Exams

Application fee (approx)

Total score

Minimum score required

IELTS   

₹14700 

9

6

TOEFL 

$185 (₹ 13583)

120

80

PTE 

₹13,700 

90

54-58

Duolingo

$49 (₹4000)

10 to 160

 

GRE 

$213 (₹ 15638) 

340

290

GMAT 

$250 (₹ 18355)

800

450

LSAT

₹3,799 

180

160

MCAT

$315 (₹ 23128)

528

490

SAT

$104 to $117 (₹ 7635 - 8590)

1600

900-1300

ACT   

$60 to $85  (₹4400-  6240

36

23-30

 

If a student comes from a place where English is not their native language, he/she will be required to prove that they have a good grasp of the English language by taking and submitting the scores of TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE exams to study in USA.

There are various specific academic assessment tests for graduate programs depending on the subject students want to study. Exams like, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT are specific to management/business, law, and medical courses in the USA respectively. On the other hand, GRE is accepted for both MS and Engineering programs in the USA.

SAT and ACT exams are specifically for all undergraduate courses in the USA. These test scores reflect the academic and aptitude skills of students. 

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) - 

It is a standardized English proficiency examination taken by non-native speakers going to the USA to study, work or live. About 4000 universities and colleges in the United States use an applicant's IELTS score to judge his or her English language proficiency. Since there are still many top schools and colleges in the USA that do not accept IELTS, students are advised to check each university’s requirements individually. 

Exam pattern :

Section 

Syllabus 

No. of Questions

Duration of the exam

Listening 

Short answer questions, Map or Diagram, Labeling of a plan, Completion of flow chart, Completion of summary, Table Completion, MCQ’s

40 Questions

30 Minutes

Reading 

Sentence completion, Diagram Label Completion, Flowchart completion, Short answers, Identifying writer’s views, Matching sentence Ending, identifying information

40 Questions

60 Minutes

Writing 

Questions to test the ability and suggest an answer, Letter writing, Describing, Precis writing, Assessment of general factual information, Argument or problem

Task I- 150 Words

Task II- 250 Words

 

60 Minutes

Speaking (Face-to-face interview)

Face-to-face interview, Questions on everyday topics related to family, studies, work, interests, Speech related questions

 3 -5 Questions 

 11-15 Minutes

Total Duration of the exam

    

2 Hours 45 Minutes

 

Read our in-depth article on the IELTS exam 2024.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) - 

It is another English proficiency examination taken by non-native speakers because it's a valid and reliable test with fair, objective scoring. The TOEFL test validates that a student has the required English language skills that are needed in an academic setting. 

Exam pattern :

Section 

Syllabus 

No. of Questions

Duration of the exam

Reading 

3-4 reading passages to answer questions

30-40 Questions

54-72 Minutes

Listening

Audio clips of 3-4 short lectures, and 2-3 long conversations

28-39 Questions

41-57 Minutes

Break

 

  

10 Minutes

Speaking

Need to speak on everyday topics or any academic-related issues

4 Tasks

17 Minutes

Writing 

Articulate opinion, logic, and reasoning following comparison between a reading passage and classroom lecture

2 Tasks

50 Minutes

 

PTE (Pearson Language Tests) -

The Pearson Test of English has lately started gaining recognition in the USA and is accepted by about 785 universities and colleges in the United States. The minimum score of PTE exams needed to study in USA may vary with the course and university one is applying to.

Exam pattern :

Section 

Syllabus 

Duration of the exam

Speaking and Writing

Personal Introduction, Essay, Re-tell Lecture, Summarize Written Text, Describe Image, Answer Short Question, Repeat Sentence, Read Aloud

77-93 Minutes

Reading

Fill in the Blanks, Multiple Choice Multiple Answer, Multiple Choice single answer, Re-order Paragraphs

32-40 Minutes

Listening

Summarize Spoken Text, Highlight Incorrect Words, Fill in the Blanks, Write from Dictation, Select Missing Word, Multiple Choice Multiple Answers, Multiple Choice Single Answer, Highlight Correct Summary

45-57 Minutes

Read our, another in-depth article on the Pearson Test of English (PTE) -2024

Duolingo

The Duolingo English exam, assesses your English proficiency for international study. Recognized by numerous global universities like Yale, Duke, and Columbia, it offers the convenience of home testing, eliminating travel hassles. This cost-effective, online exam provides quick results—within 48 hours—along with the flexibility to send scores to multiple institutions for free. With over 3000 universities accepting it for undergraduate admissions, its simplicity and shorter format make it an appealing option compared to traditional assessments like IELTS or TOEFL.

Section Description Time Limit
Introduction and Onboarding (ungraded) Check camera, microphone, and speakers functionality, submit Government issued ID for verification, review exam guidelines and regulations 5 Minutes
Adaptive Test (Graded) Analyzes English language knowledge based on answers to various question types (Read and complete, Read and select, Listen and select, Listen and type, etc.) 45 Minutes
Writing and Speaking Sample (Ungraded) Evaluates fluency in writing and speaking English language; choose a question within 30 seconds to answer (describe an image, discuss a situation, speak about a topic, etc.) 10 Minutes

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) -

Taking GRE exams to study in USA is quintessential as it is requested by universities in the USA before enrolling in a Ms degree. Since many students could not take the exam due to the ongoing pandemic, ETS (Educational Testing Service) has introduced ‘GRE at home’ facility where students can take the GRE from the safety of their home. 

The GRE measures the student's abilities in reading, math, and essay writing. The GRE scores are sent to graduate schools along with the student’s application, LOR ( letters of recommendation), and SOP (Statement of purpose essay).

Exam pattern :

Section 

Syllabus 

No. of Questions

Duration of the exam

Analytical Writing

Analyze an Issue Analyze an Argument

2 task

60 Minutes

Verbal Reasoning

Reading comprehension, text completion, sentence equivalence

2 sections of 20 questions each

60 Minutes

Quantitative Reasoning

Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Data Analysis

2 sections of 20 questions each

70 Minutes

Unscored section

  

Questions vary

Time varies

Research section

  

Questions vary

Time varies

 

To find out how to get an unsecured education loan without GRE read the article - Without GRE Unsecured Loan for the US

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) - 

Applicants must take the GMAT test for admission to B-school in the USA for MBA or business management graduate programs.

Exam pattern :

Section 

Syllabus 

No. of Questions

Duration of the exam

Analytical Writing Assessment

An argument essay, Issue essay

1 Topic (Essay)

30 Minutes

Integrated Reasoning

Graphics Interpretation, Two-Part Analysis, Table Analysis, Multi-Source Reasoning

12 Questions

30 Minutes

Quantitative

Problem Solving, Data Sufficiency

31 Questions

62 Minutes

Verbal

Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Sentence Correction

36 Questions

65 Minutes

Total Duration of the exam

    

3 hours 7 Minutes

 

LSAT (Law School Admission Test) - 

Students seeking admission to Law schools in the USA must take the LSAT exam. Many US Law schools give 70% weightage to LSAT scores in their selection process.

Exam pattern :

Section 

No. of Questions

Duration of the exam

Analytical Reasoning

23 Questions

35 Minutes

1st Logical Reasoning

22 Questions

35 Minutes

2nd Logical Reasoning

23 Questions

35 Minutes

Reading Comprehension

24 Questions

35 Minutes

Total Duration of the exam

  

2 Hour and 20 Minutes

 

MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) -

MCAT Exam is necessary to apply for admission to Medical schools in the USA.

Exam pattern :

Section 

No. of Questions

Duration of the exam

Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems

59 Questions

95 Minutes

Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills

53 Questions

90 Minutes

Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

59 Questions

95 Minutes

Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior

59 Questions

95 Minutes

Total Duration of the exam

  

7 Hours 27 Minutes (Approx)

 

SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) -

The SAT exam is for students wishing to go to the USA for their undergraduate courses.

Exam pattern :

Section 

Syllabus 

No. of Questions

Duration of the exam

Evidence-based Reading

Sentence Completion, Tests understanding of passages from the USA and World Literature, Sciences, History/Social Studies

52 Questions 

65 Minutes

Evidence-based Writing & Language

Sentence structure, subject-verb agreement, punctuation, parallel construction, verb tense, grammar usage, etc, Strengthen/weaken the argument

44 Questions 

35 Minutes

Math without a Calculator

Algebra, Geometry, Data interpretation, advanced math, Statistics, and Probability

20 Questions 

25 Minutes 

Math with Calculator

  

38 Questions

55 Minutes

Essay (Optional)

This section requires students to evaluate an argument through the analysis of evidence.

1 Questions 

50 Minutes

Total Duration of the exam

    

3 Hours (Without Essay)

 

ACT (American College Testing) -

Similar to SAT, ACT is also for students who wish to pursue their undergraduate courses in the USA. Both the tests closely mirror each other in their objective and the framework adopted to achieve that objective. Over the past few years, both the ACT and SAT have been accepted by almost all major universities for undergraduate admissions in the USA.

Exam pattern :

Section

Syllabus 

No. of Questions

Duration of the exam

English

Usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills

75 Questions 

45 minutes

Mathematics

Algebra, geometry, elementary trigonometry, reasoning, and problem-solving

60 Questions 

60 minutes

Reading

Reading Comprehension

40 Questions 

35 minutes

Science

Interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving

40 Questions 

35 minutes

Optional Writing Test

Writing Skills

1 essay prompt

30 minutes

Total Duration of the exam

    

2 Hours 55 Minutes (Without Essay)

 

Like education in the USA, the exams needed to study in USA are also expensive and the average fee for these exams is 11k-13k. Once you've scored well and gotten into your dream college in the US, the school fees and living expenses abroad should be taken care of. An approximate cost for a 2 year PG course including the living expenses could go to as high as 40-50 lakhs, and since not everyone will have that big an amount to fund on their own, education loans remain the only option for them. 

Now approaching these banks on your own can be a cumbersome and time-consuming process plus you may not get the lowest interest rate on the loan amount you require. The loan terms of all private lenders are mostly negotiable and students mostly agree to what the lender has to offer which may not be in their favor. WeMakeScholars, an organization funded and supported by the Ministry of IT, Government of India helps students get education loans at the best deal possible. We can negotiate with these lenders on your behalf to get you the lowest interest rate and the best overall loan term. You can reach out to WeMakeScholars by requesting a callback.

Note: WeMakeScholars is an organization funded and supported by the Government of India that focuses on International Education finance. We are associated with 10+ public/Pvt banks/ NBFCs in India and help you get the best abroad education loan matching your profile. As this initiative is under the Digital India campaign, it’s free of cost. The organization has vast experience dealing with students going to various abroad education destinations like the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Germany, Sweden, Italy, New Zealand, France among others