Written by Overseas Education Consultant and Study Abroad Career Counsellor in Mumbai, Karan Gupta

The GMAT is a graduate management exam which is needed for admissions to almost all top business schools worldwide. The exam consists of English and Math and tests your analytical and logical skills. The sections of the exam include Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing and a recently added Integrated Reasoning Section. The maximum points for the exam is 800 (minimum being 200) and most top business schools expect candidates to have scores over 680 to be considered for admission (the writing section is scored separately on 6 and the integrated reasoning is scored on 12). The fees for the exam are US$250 and the registration is online at www.mba.com. Find more info about GMAT preparation. 

The GRE is a graduate exam which is needed for admissions to most non-business programs in the US. Some institutes in the UK such as London School of Economics (LSE) also need the GRE for many of their courses. Many business schools around the world have now begun to accept the GRE for admission as well. The sections of the exam include Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning and an Analytical Writing section. The maximum points for the exam is 340 and most top graduate schools expect candidates to have scores over 320 to be considered for admission (writing section is scored separately on 6). The fees for the exam are US$185 and the registration is online at www.gre.org. Find GRE sample questions here.

The SAT is an undergraduate exam which is needed for admissions to most US colleges and universities. A few colleges in Singapore and Canada also require the SAT exam. The SAT consists of writing, critical reading, and math and the maximum points for this exam is 2400. A separate writing section on 12 is also part of the exam. The fees for the exam is US$105 and you can take the SAT as many times as you like and send only your best scores. Some Ivy League universities (and a few other top institutes) also need the SAT Subject tests for admission. The subject tests can be done in Physics, Chemistry, Math, History, Economics and so on. To register for the SAT visit www.collegeboard.com 

The TOEFL is an undergraduate and graduate exam needed by almost all students who wish to study abroad. Although the exam is primarily needed by US universities, many universities in the UK and Canada also recognize the TOEFL. The TOEFL exam consists of sections in speaking, writing, reading and listening and the maximum score in the exam is 120. An acceptable score by most universities is above 100. The registration for the exam can be done at www.toefl.org 

The IELTS is very similar to the TOEFL and is used by undergraduates and graduates who wish to study abroad. The IELTS exam is recognized and needed by almost all UK and Australian universities. The exam consists of sections in speaking, writing, reading and listening and the maximum score in the exam is 9. An acceptable score by most universities is above 7. The registration for the exam can be done at www.ielts.org

 

Karan Gupta is the leading international education and career consultant in Mumbai, India. Since 1999, he has given career counselling and has helped thousands of students with study abroad and get admission and visas to universities and colleges in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and EU and also helps them get scholarships, loans and financial aid. In addition to aptitude tests and career counselling, his firm also provides training and coaching for the GMAT, GRE, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE exams. Karan Gupta is the best study abroad career counsellor, consultant and career guidance expert in Mumbai.