Exams to Study Abroad

Exams to Study Abroad for Indian Students in 2026

Exams to study abroad include English proficiency tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo, which are required by most international universities, along with standardized admission tests like the SAT or ACT for undergraduate programs, and the GRE or GMAT for graduate and MBA admissions.

Here are the key highlights of the exams to study abroad for undergraduate, graduate, and MBA programs:

Key Highlights of Exams Required to Study Abroad

Types of Exams to Study Abroad

Studying abroad requires standardized exams to demonstrate academic aptitude and language proficiency.

English tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo are the most widely accepted English exam to study abroad for Indian students.

Specialized assessments like the LSAT or MCAT are required for law and medical schools.

Language Proficiency Tests

Language Proficiency Tests are used to evaluate a student’s ability to read, write, speak, and understand English in an academic setting.

Below are the most widely accepted English language exams to study abroad:

Standardized Entrance Exams

Standardized Entrance Exams are used to assess academic readiness for admission into undergraduate and postgraduate programs abroad.

Below are the most required entrance exams for global university admissions:

Note: GRE and GMAT are the most required exams to study abroad after graduation, especially for STEM, business, analytics, and management programs.

Course-Specific Exams

Course-Specific Exams are used for admission into professional programs that require subject-focused evaluation.

Below are the international exams required for specialized fields like medicine and law:

Top 10 Exams to Study Abroad

Top exams for studying abroad include English proficiency tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and the Duolingo English Test to measure language skills, along with standardized exams like GRE, GMAT, SAT, and ACT that assess academic ability.

Students applying for specialized programs may also need tests like the MCAT for medicine or LSAT for law.

Here are the top exams to study abroad for international admissions, including language tests, academic entrance exams, and specialized assessments required by leading foreign universities:

IELTS Exam

Here’s a snapshot of the key details for the IELTS exam:

TOEFL Exam

Here’s a snapshot of the key details for the TOEFL exam:

PTE Exam

Here’s a snapshot of the key details for the PTE exam:

Duolingo English Test

Here’s a snapshot of the key details for the Duolingo English Test:

SAT Exam

Here’s a snapshot of the key details for the SAT exam:

ACT Exam

Here’s a snapshot of the key details for the ACT exam:

GRE Exam

Here’s a snapshot of the key details for the GRE exam:

GMAT Exam

Here’s a snapshot of the key details for the GMAT exam:

LSAT Exam

Here’s a snapshot of the key details for the LSAT exam:

MCAT Exam

Here’s a snapshot of the key details for the MCAT exam:

Exams Required to Study Abroad by Course

Different courses abroad require different entrance exams.

The section below outlines the exam requirements for major programs at the undergraduate, postgraduate, MBA, law, and medical levels:

Exams for MBA Abroad

Applicants planning for an MBA abroad may need to appear for:

• GMAT, a widely recognized entrance exam to study abroad for business schools
• GRE, accepted by many universities for global exams for foreign studies
• English proficiency tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo for international admissions
• Program-specific assessments required by certain business schools

Exams for MS Abroad

Master’s programs, especially STEM degrees, usually require:

• GRE, which evaluates analytical and quantitative reasoning
• Language proficiency exams like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo
• Additional course-based evaluations depending on the university’s requirements for exams to go abroad

Exams for Medical Courses

Medicine-related programs abroad often require:

• MCAT, used internationally to evaluate readiness for medical studies
• English proficiency tests depending on the destination country
• School-specific or region-specific requirements for specialized programs

Exams for Law Programs

Law programs overseas may require:

• LSAT, which tests logical reasoning and analytical skills
• English language exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo
• Additional essays or writing samples as per university guidelines

Exams for Undergraduate Courses (After 12th)

Students applying abroad after Class 12 may need:

• SAT or ACT for bachelor-level admissions, the common exams to study abroad after 12th
• English proficiency tests (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo)
• Program-specific requirements or portfolios depending on the course

Country-Wise Exam Requirements to Study Abroad

Different countries accept different tests for admission in foreign universities, depending on the academic level and program.

English-speaking destinations generally require tests like IELTS or TOEFL, while undergraduate applicants, especially for USA and Canada, may need SAT or ACT.

Postgraduate programs frequently require GRE or GMAT, and some countries, such as UK and Germany, may also expect subject-specific exams like LNAT or TestAS.

Below is a quick snapshot of the common exams to study abroad in major destinations:

Study Abroad Exam Fees, Duration & Score Comparison

Exams to study abroad vary widely in fees, test duration, and scoring formats, and these differences can significantly impact a student’s preparation strategy.

English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE cost between INR 6K and INR 18.5K and take 1–3 hours, while standardized exams such as GRE, GMAT, and LSAT are longer, more intensive, and more expensive.

The comparison tables below offer a clear snapshot of how each major exam differs in terms of cost, duration, and scoring:

Exams to Study Abroad: Fees Comparison

Exams to Study Abroad: Duration Comparison

Exams to Study Abroad: Score Range Comparison

How to Choose the Right Exam for Study Abroad?

Choosing the correct entrance exam for foreign universities depends on your academic goals, country preference, and program requirements.

Since exams to study abroad vary widely in format and purpose, students should evaluate their goals, strengths, and preferred countries before deciding which exam to give to study abroad.

Here are the key points to help you choose the right exam:

Top Scholarships Based on Exam Scores

Strong performance in standardized exams can significantly improve your chances of securing competitive global scholarships.

Many international awards use minimum score thresholds in exams like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, GRE, GMAT, SAT, and ACT as part of their eligibility criteria.

Below is a verified list of scholarships with officially stated minimum score requirements.

Scholarships Based on Exam Scores

Note: These score requirements are a major part of the eligibility criteria, but most scholarships also evaluate academics, documents, leadership experience, and overall profile. Meeting the score alone does not guarantee selection.

Upcoming 2026 Study Abroad Exam Dates

To help students plan their applications with clarity, below is a simple breakdown of exams that can be taken anytime versus those with fixed 2026 dates.

Exams Available Online or Year-Round:

These exams do not publish fixed monthly schedules. They can be taken from home or at centers with flexible booking.

• Duolingo English Test (DET): Available 24×7, fully online; can be taken anytime from home.
• PTE Academic: Conducted almost daily across test centers worldwide.
• GRE General Test: Available year-round at centers, with a Home Edition for flexible scheduling.
• GMAT Focus Edition: Runs throughout the year, with test centers operating 7 days/week and online exams available 24×7.
• TOEFL iBT: Offers 60+ test dates annually; Home Edition available multiple days per week.
• IELTS (Computer-Delivered): Available up to 3 times a day, 7 days a week in India.

2026 Exam Dates for Upcoming Exams to Study Abroad:

Here is the list of study-abroad exams that follow a fixed, officially published test schedule for 2026:

Some major exams (TOEFL / GRE / GMAT / PTE / Duolingo / CD-IELTS) operate on flexible year-round schedules, so students can book them any month depending on availability. Their names don’t appear on the monthly table because official month-wise calendars are not published.

How to Prepare & Score Well in Study Abroad Exams?

Preparing for exams to study abroad become much more effective when students follow a structured plan focused on understanding the exam pattern, practicing consistently, and building the core skills needed for competitive global test scores.

Get Expert Guidance for Exams to Study Abroad

Preparing exams to study abroad becomes much easier with expert support, structured coaching, and personalized feedback tailored to each student’s goals.

At upGrad, we help students confidently prepare for IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, SAT, PTE, and other global entrance tests with the right guidance at every step.

Ready to begin your journey? Book your 1:1 Free Counselling Session with upGrad and get personalized guidance today.

FAQs

1. When should I register for my study abroad entrance exams to avoid peak-season rush?

You should ideally register 2–4 months in advance of your preferred test date. Peak seasons (August–December and January–March) fill up quickly due to application deadlines, so early booking helps you get your preferred slot and location.

2. Can I send my study abroad exam scores to multiple universities at once?

Yes, most exams allow you to send scores to multiple universities. For example, GRE and TOEFL let you send scores to up to 4 universities for free during registration, while additional reports may require a fee. IELTS also allows multiple score submissions. This makes the process efficient, as you don’t need to send scores individually later. It’s best to shortlist universities in advance so you can use free score reports wisely.

3. Do universities abroad accept online formats like Duolingo or TOEFL Home Edition?

Many universities now accept online English tests like Duolingo English Test and TOEFL Home Edition, especially after COVID-19. However, acceptance depends on the university and program. Top universities may still prefer IELTS or TOEFL (test center), while others are flexible. Always check the official university requirements before applying to ensure your chosen test is accepted.

4. What should I do if my passport expires before the date of my exam?

You should renew your passport before booking or appearing for the exam, as most test centers require a valid passport as primary ID. If your passport expires before the test date, you may not be allowed to take the exam. It’s recommended to ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your test date to avoid any issues during applications and visa processing.

5. How many times can I retake study abroad entrance exams?

Most study abroad entrance exams allow multiple attempts, but the exact limits depend on the test provider. Some exams have no fixed cap, while others restrict attempts within a year or require a gap between tries.

For example:

• IELTS: No official limit on attempts
• TOEFL: Can be taken once every 3 days
• GRE: Up to 5 times a year with a 21-day gap
• GMAT: Up to 5 attempts in a 12-month period

While retakes are allowed, improving preparation before reappearing is usually more effective than multiple attempts.

6. How long does it take for exam results to be released?

The result timeline varies depending on the exam and format (online or paper-based). Most exams release scores within a few days to a couple of weeks.

For example:

• IELTS: 3–5 days (computer-based), 13 days (paper-based)
• TOEFL iBT: Around 4–8 days
• GRE: About 8–10 days
• GMAT: Typically within 3–7 days

7. Can I appear for multiple exams if I’m applying to different countries?

Yes, you can take multiple exams if required. For example, you might take IELTS for UK and TOEFL or GRE for USA depending on university requirements. Many students choose exams based on country preferences, acceptance, and personal comfort. Taking multiple tests can increase your options but requires proper planning and preparation.