About Exam - Study Abroad (Career)

What is GMAT?

• The Graduate Management Admission Test is a Standardized test that measures verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills. It is intended to help the graduate schools of business assess the potential of applicants for advanced study in business and management.
• Nearly 900 management institutes all over the world (almost all of them in the US) require GMAT scores from each applicant. The GMAT tests the fundamental skills - Reasoning and Comprehension included - and does not require any subject-specific theoretical study.
• The test is designed in such a way that it would be unlike any other test you would have taken at school or college. First, the test has no question paper or answer sheets, nor does it have the same set of questions for all the examinees. Further, it does not give you the option of not answering a question (unless, of course, you run out of time at the end).
• All this because the GMAT is now an entirely Computer based test - the keyboard and mouse do the work of a pen or pencil. The test is scored out of 800 (in multiples of 10), and most scores fall in the range of 500-600. However, a score of even 800 is not unheard of!
• The GMAT test is only one of several parameters which the graduate schools look at to determine the selection of an applicant. A high score alone does not translate into an admission offer from a great school. But the test can be looked upon as the first major hurdle to be cleared in the process of getting admission into a B-school of your choice. 

What is GRE Test?

• The Graduate Record Examination is a Standardized test that measures verbal, mathematical and analytical skills. It is intended to help the graduate schools (of all fields other than business) assess the potential of applicants for advanced study . Nearly 2300 universities in the US require GRE® scores from each applicant.
• The GRE tests the fundamental skills - Reasoning and Comprehension included - and does not require any subject-specific theoretical study. (This is true only for the General GRE Test, and not the GRE Subject, which is required by certain universities. In this section, we mean the General GRE Test whenever we refer to the GRE Test)
• The test is designed in such a way that it would be unlike any other test you would have taken at school or college. First, the test has no question paper or answer sheets, nor does it have the same set of questions for all the examinees.
• Further, it does not give you the option of not answering a question (unless, of course, you run out of time at the end). All this because the GRE Test is an entirely Computer based test - the keyboard and mouse do the work of a pen or pencil. The test is scored out of 1600 (in multiples of 10).
• The GRE Test is only one of several parameters which the graduate schools look at to determine the selection of an applicant. A high score alone does not translate into an admission offer from a great school. But the test can be looked upon as the first major hurdle to be cleared in the process of getting admission into a Graduate school of your choice. 

What is SAT?

• The SAT (technically known as the SAT I) is a general test of verbal and quantitative reasoning accepted for U. S. college admissions. The test is required for admission to undergraduate programs of most US universities. Many universities also require you to take SAT-II tests.
• SAT-I : Reasoning Test The SAT-I is a three hour, primarily multiple-choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities that develop over time. Most colleges require SAT-I scores for admission.
• SAT-II : Subject Tests The SAT-II subject tests are one hour, primarily multiple-choice tests that measure your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. Many universities may require you to take this along with SAT-I. 

What is the TOEFL test?

• Test Of English A Foreign Language is a Standardized test that evaluates the English Proficiency of people whose native language is not English. Nearly 2400 education institutes in the United States and Canada require TOEFL® scores from each applicant. The test is also used by institutions in other countries where English is the language of Instruction. The TOEFL tests the ability to understand North American English
• TOEFL test is administered as a computer based test in India.  
• Computer Based TOEFL test 
• The test is designed in such a way that it would be unlike any other test you would have taken at school or college. First, the test has no question paper or answer sheets, nor does it have the same set of questions for all the examinees. Further, it does not give you the option of not answering a question (unless, of course, you run out of time at the end).
• All this because the TOEFL test is now an entirely Computer based test - the keyboard and mouse do the work of a pen or pencil. The test is scored out of 300, and most scores fall in the range of 200-250. 
• The TOEFL test is only to test your English proficiency. A high score alone does not translate into an admission offer from a great school. But the test is mandatory and cannot be overlooked.

What is IELTS Test?

• IELTS is an English Language Proficiency test that is required to be taken by non-native students for study in countries where the medium of instruction is English. Among the popular study destinations IELTS is accepted by universities in UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada 
• IELTS is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia.
• It has become a mandatory test for students of many nationalities to get student visas to Australia. You cannot be granted an Australian student visa without an IELTS score if you are from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and many other countries, TOEFL is not accepted.
• All other study destinations either require you to take the TOEFL or IELTS. IELTS is however not accepted by most universities in USA. TOEFL is required for study there. The test is conducted by the British Council. You can contact your local British Council office to find out where your nearest test centre is located. Most centres normally have a testing session about once a month.
• You should contact the test centre to find out the date of the next test and collect the IELTS handbook and an application form. The filled application form should be sent back to the test centre with the test fee. You will be given a date and time of your test.
• The British Council also runs short courses to prepare you for IELTS. Check details about the same from your test centre. The test results are normally made available within two weeks of taking the test. You can also ask for more copies of your test results

The test has different sections:

The Listening Section - Duration : 30 minutes 
Academic reading/general training reading section - Duration : 60 minutes 
Academic writing/general training writing section - Duration : 60 minutes
Speaking Section : Duration : 11 - 14 minutes

Total test time : 2 hours and 45 minutes 

You will receive a separate Band Score. The four Band Scores, one for each section are added together and averaged for an Overall Band Score. Each Band has a statement giving a summary of the English at that level. There are nine Band levels, from one (non-user) to nine (expert user).

The minimum score accepted for a course ranges from 5.0 to 7.5, depending upon courses and institutes you are applying to. The most common requirement is a band score of 6 to 6.5. 

Test Reports have a validity of two years. You can retake the test if you donot achieve the desired score but not before three months of the first test date.