Exams for Studying Abroad

To study abroad, students usually need to take exams for studying abroad, such as an English language proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL. Depending on the course, study level and destination, universities may also require standardised tests such as the SAT for undergraduate admissions or the GRE and GMAT for postgraduate programmes. 

The exact exam requirements can vary by university and programme, so students should check the admission criteria before registering for any test. Planning the exams early can also help you meet application deadlines and leave enough time for a retake if needed. 

Exams Required to Study Abroad 

Exams for studying abroad can broadly be divided into English proficiency tests and academic or subject-specific entrance exams.  

Here's a quick view. 

Exam Category	Common Exams	Usually Required For
English Proficiency	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, DET	Most international applicants, where proof of English is required
Undergraduate	SAT, ACT	Selected bachelor's admissions
Graduate	GRE	Selected master's and graduate programmes
Business	GMAT	MBA and some business programmes
Law	LSAT, LNAT	Law programmes, depending on country and university
Medicine	MCAT, UCAT	Medical programmes, depending on country and institution

The exact requirement can change from one university to another. ETS, for example, notes that institutions set their own score requirements, while IELTS recommends checking directly with the organisation or institution you're applying to. 

English Language Exams for Studying Abroad 

For many international applicants, English proficiency is the first exam to check. These tests assess your ability to use English in academic settings, although their formats and scoring systems are different. 

IELTS 

IELTS Academic is designed for students applying to undergraduate or postgraduate study. It assesses Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, with the full test taking 2 hours and 45 minutes. Scores are reported on a 0–9 band scale. 

Key details: 

• Test type: IELTS Academic  
• Skills assessed: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking  
• Duration: 2 hours and 45 minutes  
• Score scale: 0–9 bands  
• Validity: Generally recommended to be considered valid for two years  

IELTS results are generally recommended to be considered valid for two years, although individual organisations can choose to accept results for a longer period. 

For students in India, IDP IELTS currently lists the IELTS Academic test fee at ₹19,000 in 2026. 

• Test availability: Multiple times during the year  
• Availability: Depends on the test format and location  

TOEFL 

TOEFL iBT is another widely used academic English test. It measures Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing, and ETS says scores are valid for two years from the test date. 

Key details: 

• Test type: TOEFL iBT  
• Skills assessed: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing  
• Validity: Two years  
• Score reporting: Official TOEFL iBT scores are available in an account about three days after the test  

ETS also says official TOEFL iBT scores are available in an account about three days after the test, although delivery to institutions can vary. 

For test takers in India, ETS currently lists the TOEFL iBT registration fee at ₹16,900, although additional services and fees can apply. 

PTE Academic 

PTE Academic is a computer-based English test that checks all four language skills in a single sitting. Pearson says the test takes about two hours, with results typically available in two days. 

Key details: 

• Test type: PTE Academic  
• Skills assessed: All four language skills  
• Duration: About two hours  
• Score scale: 10–90  
• Validity: Generally two years  
• Results: Usually available in two days  

Its overall score is reported on a 10–90 scale, and Pearson says PTE Academic score reports are generally valid for two years. 

PTE is available at test centres on frequent dates, and Pearson provides the local test price when you select your country while booking. 

Duolingo English Test 

The Duolingo English Test, or DET, is an online English proficiency test that can be taken from home. It is designed for academic admissions and is accepted by many universities, but acceptance still depends on the institution and programme. 

Key details: 

• Test type: Online English proficiency test  
• Duration: About one hour  
• Score scale: 10–160  
• Results: Generally available within 48 hours  
• Test mode: Can be taken from home  
• Acceptance: Depends on the institution and programme  

The test takes about one hour, uses a 10–160 score scale, and results are generally available within 48 hours. 

Students should check the specific university's website before choosing DET because not every institution accepts it. 

Exam	Duration	Validity
IELTS Academic	2 hr 45 min	2 years*
TOEFL iBT	About 2 hours	2 years
PTE Academic	2 hours	2 years
Duolingo English Test	About 1 hour	2 years

*IELTS recommends a two-year validity period, but an institution can choose to accept an older result. Fees can change, so students should confirm the price and available test dates on the official exam website before registering. 

Academic Entrance Exams for International Admissions 

English proficiency isn't always enough. Some universities and courses also use standardised tests to assess academic readiness. 

SAT and ACT for Undergraduate Admissions 

The SAT is commonly used in undergraduate admissions, particularly by universities in the US, although many institutions now have their own testing policies. 

Key SAT details: 

• The current digital SAT has two sections: Reading and Writing and Math.  
• Total testing time: 2 hours and 14 minutes.  
• For students taking the SAT outside the US, College Board currently lists a $68 registration fee plus a $43 international fee, with possible additional test-centre charges in some locations.  

The ACT is another undergraduate admissions test covering English, mathematics and reading, with science available as an optional add-on under the current format. 

Key ACT details: 

• Subjects: English, mathematics and reading.  
• Science: Available as an optional add-on under the current format.  
• Testing time: ACT says the timed multiple-choice portion takes 2 hours and 45 minutes when all four multiple-choice areas are included.  
• ACT also publishes separate international test dates, including dates for the 2026–27 testing year.  

GRE for Graduate Programmes 

The GRE General Test is used by thousands of graduate, business and law schools around the world. It measures Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. 

Key GRE details: 

• Sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing.  
• Test duration: 1 hour and 58 minutes.  
• Score validity: GRE scores are reportable for five years after the test date.  
• For India, ETS announced that from August 1, 2026, the GRE General Test fee is $249, shown on the India/global fee page as approximately ₹25,522.  

Not every master's programme requires the GRE, though. That's something you'll want to check before paying for it. 

GMAT for MBA and Business Programmes 

The GMAT Exam is designed specifically for graduate business admissions and is used by business schools internationally. 

Key GMAT details: 

• Purpose: Graduate business admissions.  
• Test duration: About 2 hours and 15 minutes.  
• Score validity: Generally five years.  
• ETS's current GRE comparison page lists the GMAT at about $275 or more, depending on the testing location and options.  

Some MBA programmes require the GMAT, some accept the GRE, and some don't require either. 

LSAT, LNAT, MCAT and UCAT for Specialised Courses 

Some fields have their own admissions tests. 

• LSAT: Used primarily for law school admissions, particularly in the US and Canada. LSAC currently lists the LSAT registration fee at $253 for the August 2026–June 2027 testing year. 
• LNAT: Used by some universities for undergraduate law admissions in the UK and a small number of other institutions. Requirements vary by university. 
• MCAT: Used in medical school admissions in the US and is administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges. AAMC directs students to check the requirements of individual medical schools because admission rules vary. 
• UCAT: Used by participating medical and dental schools, particularly in the UK and some other countries, with participating universities setting their own admissions requirements. 

Which Exam Should You Take to Study Abroad? 

The easiest way to narrow it down is to start with your study level and course, and then check the individual programme requirements. 

Student Profile	Likely Exam Combination
Bachelor's applicant	English test + SAT/ACT if required
Master's applicant	English test + GRE if required
MBA applicant	English test + GMAT if required
Law applicant	English test + LSAT/LNAT where applicable
Medical applicant	English test + relevant medical entrance test

Always confirm the exact requirements on the university/programme website. 

A university might accept several English tests but require one specific academic test for a particular course. Another university may make the same test optional. It can change quickly, too, so don't rely on an old eligibility page or a third-party list alone. 

Exams for Studying Abroad by Country 

Exam requirements also vary by destination. Even within the same country, different universities and courses can have different rules. 

Country	Common English Tests	Common Academic Tests
USA	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, DET	SAT/ACT, GRE, GMAT
UK	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE	Course/university specific
Canada	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE	GRE/GMAT where required
Australia	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE	Course specific
Germany	IELTS, TOEFL and accepted alternatives	Course/university specific
Ireland	IELTS, TOEFL, PTE	Course specific

These are common examples, not universal rules. Pearson, for example, says PTE Academic is accepted for study by thousands of institutions worldwide, while IELTS and TOEFL also direct students to individual institution requirements. 

For the US, SAT/ACT use has become particularly university-specific, while graduate tests such as GRE and GMAT depend heavily on the programme. For medical and law programmes, the correct specialised test can be just as important as an English test. 

Study Abroad Exam Fees and Validity  

Exam fees aren't fixed worldwide. They vary by country, test centre, test mode and additional services, so treat the figures below as a guide rather than a final amount. 

Exam	Approx. Fee	Validity
IELTS Academic	₹19,000 in India	2 years*
TOEFL	₹16,900 in India	2 years
PTE Academic	Location dependent	2 years
Duolingo English Test	Location dependent	2 years
SAT	$111 (₹10,625)international base fee	Check institution policy
ACT	Location dependent	Check institution policy
GRE	$249 / about ₹25,522 from Aug. 1, 2026	5 years
GMAT	Location dependent	5 years
LSAT	$253 (₹24,220) for Aug. 2026–June 2027	5 years

*IELTS recommends that results be considered valid for two years, but an organisation can decide to accept results for longer. 

Official dates can change during the year. IELTS, for instance, publishes location-specific calendars, while ACT has a separate international schedule for 2026–27. 

How to Prepare for Study Abroad Exams 

Don't start with random mock tests instead start with the requirement. 

Check University Requirements: Make a shortlist of your universities and courses first. Then check which English test and academic exams each programme accepts, along with minimum scores, section requirements and test-date rules. 

Choose the Right Test: There's no need to take every exam. Pick the test that your target universities accept and that fits your application timeline, location and testing preferences. 

Set a Preparation Timeline: Work backward from the application deadline. Leave enough time for preparation, the first test attempt, score reporting and a possible retake if your university allows one. 

Take the Test Before Application Deadlines: Your score needs to be available when the university reviews your application, not simply before the final day you can register. IELTS recommends checking directly with the institution, while ETS also tells applicants to confirm score requirements with their schools. 

Conclusion 

There isn't one exam for studying abroad. It depends on what you're studying and where you're applying. 

For many students, the first step is an English proficiency test such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or DET. Undergraduate applicants may also need the SAT or ACT, while selected master's, MBA, law and medical programmes can require the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, LNAT, MCAT or UCAT. 

The safest approach is pretty simple: shortlist your universities, check their official admission requirements, and then register for the exam they actually accept. It can save you money, time and a lot of unnecessary retakes. 

To assess universities and courses based on your academic background, budget, and career goals, book a free 1:1 session with upGrad experts for personalised guidance.