TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language
Administered by:
ETS (Educational Testing Service)
Website:
Validity:
The score is valid for 2 years.
Fees:
$195
Reporting:
The score is sent to 4 universities by ETS free of cost at the time of exam. ETS charges additionally for scores sent to universities later for a fee of US $ 20 per report.
Forms:
Forms are available at USEFI (US Education Foundation in India) or they can be downloaded from the website.
Requirements for Phone / Fax Registration:
Name as in the Passport, Address, Credit Card Number, Name of the Cardholder, Expiry date of the card. (The card has to be an International Card).
Rescheduling:
Intimation is to be given to the ETS 3 days prior to the examination date. The necessary rescheduling fee has to be paid.
Cancellation:
Intimation is to be given to the ETS 3 days prior to the examination date. A cancellation fee is applicable.
Mode:
The TOEFL test is Internet Based Test (iBT) in India.
Number of tests:
You can take the test as many times as you want, however there has to be a gap of 7 days. You may take the TOEFL iBT test only once in any seven-day period, even if you took the test and cancelled your scores. If you test more than once in a seven-day period, your new scores will not be reported and your test fee will not be refunded.
Scores:
Total score is out of 120 (Internet Based). If the test is taken more than once, all the scores and the dates are sent to the universities. Scores can be cancelled before coming out of the test.
TOEFL iBT Test Sections:
· Section - Reading | Time Limit 60–80 minutes | Questions 36–56 | Tasks - Read 3 or 4 passages from academic texts and answer questions
· Section - Listening | Time Limit 60–90 minutes | Questions 34–51 | Tasks - Listen to lectures, classroom discussions and conversations, then answer questions
· Break - 10 Mins
· Section - Speaking | Time Limit 20 minutes | 6 tasks | Tasks - Express an opinion on a familiar topic; speak based on reading and listening tasks.
· Section - Writing | Time Limit 50 minutes | 2 tasks | Tasks - Write essay responses based on reading and listening tasks; support an opinion in writing.
IELTS - The International English Language Testing System
Administered by:
IELTS is jointly administered by:
· British Council
· IDP: IELTS Australia
· University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL)
Website:
Validity:
The score is valid for 2 years.
Fees:
$300
Test Reports:
To send additional score reports (TRF) the student must pay Rs 1250 per university through DD and send a copy of IELTS Test Report, TRF Form, and a copy of passport along with DD to British Council – Gurgaon Office.
Address:
· British Council (Mumbai):
The British Deputy High Commission,
British Council Division,
901, 9th Floor, Tower 1,
841, Senapati Bapat Marg,
Elphinstone Road, Mumbai – 400013
Tel – (022) – 67486748
· IDP Australia (Mumbai):
IDP Australia,
Express Building, 1st Floor,
Opp. Churchgate Railway Station,
Churchgate, Mumbai 400020. India.
Tel : 022-22026505 Fax : 022-22042686
Other IELTS test centres locations include:
· New Delhi
· Haryana
· Karnal
· Ambala
· Punjab
· Patiala
· Moga
· Mehsana, Gujarat
· Dehradun, Uttarakhand
· Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
· Madhya Pradesh - Bhopal , Indore
· Gujarat - Rajkot ,Anand
· Jaipur, Rajasthan
· Angamaly, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram
· Mangaluru (Karnataka)
Rescheduling:
If you postpone or cancel your application more than 5 weeks before the test date, you will receive a refund minus an administration charge,
If you postpone or cancel within 5 weeks of the test date, you will be charged the full fee unless you have a medical reason. If you provide a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date, you will receive a refund minus the local administrative cost.
Mode:
The IELTS test is Paper based as well as Computer delivered test in selected cities.
Number of Tests:
You may take the IELTS test as many times as you like.
Duration:
The test is for 2 hours & 45 minutes including the Speaking module.
Score:
Total score is out of 9 Bands. Scoring is between 1-9.
Academic Training:
· Listening (40 questions) – 30 minutes
· Reading (40 questions) – 60 minutes
· Writing (2 essays) – 60 minutes
· Speaking – 10 to 15 minutes.
General Training:
· Listening (40 questions) – 30 minutes
· Reading (40 questions) – 60 minutes
· Writing (2 essays) – 60 minutes
· Speaking – 10 to 15 minutes.
Writing:
· 1st essay (150 words) 20 minutes
· 2nd essay (250 words) 40 minutes
Countries Accepting IELTS:
· Australia
· Canada
· New Zealand
· The United Kingdom
· United States
· Singapore
· Dubai
· Malaysia
SAT - Scholastic Aptitude Test
Administered by:
College Board.
Required for:
To secure admission for any Under Graduate studies in USA/Canada.
Reporting:
The score is sent to four universities free of cost, which can be selected at any time of registering for the exam. College Board charges additional for the score to be sent to university later.
Registration:
The registration is either done by mail or online.
Test Fees:
· SAT - $101
· SAT with Essay - $107
Payment Method:
Credit card: American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club, and JCB.
Forms:
The forms are available at USEFI (US Education Foundation in India).
Requirements for Registration:
Name as in Passport, Address, Credit Card Number, Expiry Date of the Card, Name of the Card holder (The Credit Card has to be International Card).
Confirmations:
A registration no is given as terms of conformation along with a hall ticket.
Rescheduling:
Intimation is to be given 3 weeks prior the Examination date. The necessary rescheduling fee has to be paid.
Scores:
Total score is out of 1600. All the scores and the dates are sent to the universities if the test is taken more than once.
(A) SAT I (Reasoning):
Format:
Evidence based Reading & Writing – Score range 200 – 800
1. Evidence based Reading – 52 Questions, 65 Minutes
2. Evidence based Writing – 44 Questions, 35 Minutes
Mathematics – Score range 200 – 800
1. Mathematics Section – 58 Questions, 80 Minutes
Optional Section – Score range 2 – 8
Essay – 50 Minutes
(B) SAT II (Subject):
Required for:
SAT II is sometimes a prerequisite for admission into a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Medicine, etc. in top Universities.
Subjects:
Math Level I C, Math Level II C, Physics, Chemistry, Biology E/M, Writing, Literature, American History, World History, Languages.
Benefits of a High SAT Score:
· A high SAT score will increase the chances of admission in top Business Schools
· There are good chances of getting some kind of financial assistance with a high SAT score
· Visa Officers also give weight-age to high SAT scores while considering Visa applications
ACT – American College Test
American College Testing, or ACT for short, is a standardized exam that is required for college admissions in both the US and Canada. The exam assesses a student's proficiency in four subject areas: science, reading, math, and English. Additionally, there is an optional writing component that assesses a student's proficiency in written communication.
The ACT is managed by the non-profit organization ACT Inc. The test is designed for high school students who want to go to college and is available in both computer-based and paper-based modes. The exam's objectives are to determine a student's preparedness for courses at the college level and to support admissions choices at colleges and universities.
Components of the ACT exam:
1. English: This section evaluates a student's understanding of Standard English conventions, production of writing, and knowledge of language usage and mechanics.
2. Math: The Math section measures a student's knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, as well as problem-solving and data analysis skills.
3. Reading: The Reading section assesses a student's ability to comprehend complex texts and make inferences from the information provided.
4. Science: The Science section tests a student's ability to interpret and analyse scientific data and concepts. It covers topics such as biology, chemistry, physics, and Earth/space sciences.
5. Writing (optional): The Writing section provides students with a prompt and asks them to develop an argumentative essay. It is optional and may be required by some colleges and universities.
Exam pattern for the ACT test + syllabus
The ACT is a standardised test consisting of multiple-choice questions. The test has four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. There is also an optional Writing section, which is a 40-minute essay.
Here is a table summarising the ACT exam pattern:
Eligibility criteria for ACT exam
The eligibility criteria for the ACT exam are not very strict, as it is open to all high school students who are interested in applying for undergraduate programs in colleges and universities. However, the following are some important points to keep in mind:
1. Age: There is no minimum or maximum age limit for taking the ACT exam.
2. Educational qualification: The exam is primarily designed for high school students who are looking to apply for undergraduate programs. However, even if you are not enrolled in a high school, you can still take the exam if you meet the age requirement.
3. Nationality: The ACT exam is conducted in many countries around the world, and there are no nationality restrictions. However, you need to ensure that you are taking the exam in a country where it is recognised by the colleges and universities you are applying to.
4. Registration: You need to register for the exam on the official ACT website and pay the registration fee. You will also need to provide a valid ID, such as a passport or driver's license, on the day of the exam.
Overall, the ACT exam is open to all students who meet the basic eligibility criteria, and it is a great way to showcase your academic skills and potential to colleges and universities.
GRE - Graduate Record Examinations
Administered by:
ETS (Educational Testing Service)
Required for:
Who Takes It and Why?
To pursue PG Degree /Masters Degree in any specialisation apart from MBA in USA. There are some universities which accepts GRE for MBA as well. Also ISB, Hyderabad started accepting GRE for their flagship program.
Website:
Validity:
The score is valid for 5 years.
Reporting:
The score is sent to 4 universities free of cost at the time of GRE exam. ETS charges fees (US $ 27 / recipient) for scores sent to universities later. If the students do not select the score recipient at the time of exam, they must pay US$27 per recipient to have scores sent later.
Fees:
$271
Forms:
No paper forms available. Registration to be done online using ‘My GRE Account’ on ETS website.
Requirements for Web/Phone and Mail Registration or Requirements for Registration:
There are four ways you can register for the computer-based General Test.
Web:
Online Registration can be done only via International Credit card. International Credit cards that can be used are American Express, Discover, JCB, MasterCard or VISA card. Debit card cannot be used for online registration in India.
Phone:
One can register over the phone by using an American Express, Discover, JCB MasterCard or a VISA International Credit card.
Post that, students need to call the appropriate RRC at least two business days before preferred date [Regional Registration Center]. A confirmation number, reporting time, and the test center address will be given to you when you call.
Mail:
Mail the International Test Scheduling Form (PDF) to the appropriate RRC with appropriate payment, (at least 3 weeks prior to intended date).
ETS now accepts payments via the Western Union Quick Pay service for computer-based testing administrations. Only original receipts will be accepted by Prometric.
Confirmation:
Online Registration
A registration number is given as terms of confirmation
By Phone
A confirmation number, reporting time, and the test center address will be given to you when you call
By Mail
A confirmation number, reporting time and the test center address will be mailed to you.
(A) General GRE
Fees:
US$ 271
Rescheduling or Cancelling a Test Appointment:
Contact the appropriate registration center no later than 3 full days before your test date (not including the day of your test or the day of your request)
The General Test rescheduling fee is $50
You cannot reschedule between sites served by different Regional Registration Centers (RRCs)
Mode:
The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are section-level adaptive, meaning that the first section of the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures spans a range of difficulty levels, from easy to difficult. The second section of each of the measures is administered based on a test taker’s overall performance on the first section.
Number of tests:
Only 1 test can be given in a calendar month. A total of 5 tests can be given in a year.
Score:
Verbal Reasoning - 130 – 170, in 1 point increments
Quantitative Reasoning - 130 – 170, in 1 point increments
Analytical Writing - 0 – 6, in half point increments
(B) SUBJECT GRE
Fees:
US$ 150
Mode:
Subject test is a Paper based test
Number of tests:
The test can be given as often as they are offered.
The test is held three times a year, in:
Subject Offered:
· Biochemistry
· Cell & Molecular Biology
· Biology
· Psychology
· English Literature
· Chemistry
· Physics
· Mathematics.
Benefits of a High GRE Score:
· A high score will increase the chances of admission in top ranked Universities.
· Chances of getting Scholarships / Financial Aid are bright with a high GRE score.
· Visa Officers also give weightage to high GRE scores while considering Visa applications.
GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test
Administered by:
GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council)
Required for:
Students who want to pursue PG Degree/ Masters in Business Administration Entrance exam in USA primarily. However, there are some Premier Ivy League universities in UK that may also require GMAT to be taken as a qualifying exam. GMAT is also accepted by IIMs, ISB and Some other colleges for their executive MBA programs.
Website:
Validity:
The score is generally valid for 5 years.
Reporting:
The score is sent to 5 universities by GMAC free of cost at the time of exam. GMAC charges additionally for scores sent to universities later.
Registration:
Online, Phone, Mail, Fax.
Fees:
$275
Address:
PROMETRIC TESTING PRIVATE LIMITED
2nd Floor, DLF Infinity Tower – A, Sector 25, Phase II,
DLF City Gurgaon, HARYANA – 122 002.
Phone No.0124-4147700
Fax: 0124-4147773 / 0124-4147774.
Forms:
Forms are available at USEFI (U.S. Education Foundation in India) or they can be downloaded from the website.
Requirements for Phone / Fax Registration:
Name as in the Passport, Address, Credit Card Number, Name of the Cardholder, Expiry date of the card. (The card has to be an International Card).
Rescheduling:
Has to be changed completely due to the 7 full calendar days and within 7 days clause.
· Intimation is to be given to GMAC 7 days prior to the examination date
· Appointments rescheduled at least 7 full calendar days before the original appointment will incur an additional fee of $60
· Appointments rescheduled within 7 calendar days of the original appointment will be charged $250, which means that the original testing fee will be forfeited
· The rescheduling fee is subject to change without notice
Cancellation:
Has to be changed completely due to the 7 full calendar days and within 7 days clause. Intimation is to be given to GMAC 7 days prior to the examination date. If you cancel your test appointment at least 7 full calendar days in advance of the date and time of your appointment, you will receive a partial refund of US$ 80
· If you cancel your appointment within seven full calendar days of your scheduled test date and time, the entire registration fee will be forfeited
· The cancellation refund is subject to change without notice
· If you cancel by phone, you will see a credit of US$80 credit on your account but also a service charge of US$10.
· If you cancel your exam less than seven full days prior to your exam date and time, you are not eligible for a refund. If you cancel the exam by phone, you may be asked for a US$10 service fee.
· If you miss your scheduled exam time for any reason, your registration fee will be forfeited.
Mode:
The GMAT test is a computer adaptive test (CAT).
Number of tests:
Only 1 test can be given in a calendar month and no more than 5 times in a year.
Score:
Total score is out of 800 (Quantitative & Verbal) and Integrated Reasoning (0 – 12), Analytical Writing Assessment (Essays) is scaled from 0 – 6.
All the scores and dates are sent to the universities if the test is taken more than once.
Scores can be cancelled before coming out of the test.
The Four Sections of the GMAT exam – Analytical Writing Assessment, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal.
Analytical Writing Assessment
Time Limit 30 minutes | 1 question | Analysis of an Argument | Score Range 0-6 (in 0.5-point increments)
Integrated Reasoning | Time Limit 30 minutes | 12 questions | Graphics Interpretation, Table Analysis, Multi-source Reasoning, Two-part Analysis | Score Range 1-8 (in 1-point increments)
Quantitative Reasoning | Time Limit 62 minutes | 31 questions | Data Sufficiency Problem Solving | Score Range 6-51 (in 1-point increments)
Verbal Reasoning | Time Limit 65 minutes | 36 questions | Reading Comprehension Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction | Score Range 6-51 (in 1-point increments)
