Which Exams You Need to Pass to Enter an American University
TOEFL, SAT, GMAT, GRE — any international student feels anxious about the exams these abbreviations stand for. If you are planning to apply for an American university and you are not sure yet which exams you will need to pass, read our guidance. The earlier you start preparations, the better score you will get.
Pathway programs
First of all, there is a way to get into an American university or college without passing any exams. Look at the Pathway programs. They are available for any level of studies: for fresh high school grads planning to do a Bachelor’s, for those who’ve already got a degree and think of digging deeper into a specific field in Master’s courses, and for those who are interested in fundamental research at the PhD level.
No exams are required for enrolment into Pathway programs. They are usually delivered by language schools. If you are an international student coming to the USA and not willing to sit for any exams, the Pathway program is for you. You can brush up your language skills and then get accepted to a college of your choice.
Please note that not all the colleges work with Pathway programs. You can discover top American universities that work with Pathway programs in my YouTube video.
Also, there is no financial aid for the Pathway programs, so you will need to pay both for the program and your further studies. On average, a pathway program lasts from 16 to 24 weeks. You pay about $300–400 a week. Then, you don’t need to take any exams, you just go straight away to the university of your choice. You may still need to submit your motivation letter, application form, recommendation letters, but that’s it. No need to pass TOEFL, IELTS or anything else.
If you want to better understand the application process for an American university and learn more about various programs, grants, and tricks to get accepted, check out my book “The Step by Step Guide to Enter a University in the USA”.
Pathway programs are a great option for those who do not feel confident in their language skills and grades but have enough budget to afford such a program.
Average Universities
An average American university will require you to pass a language proficiency test. It’s either TOEFL or IELTS. Depending on the degree you are planning to pursue, the required minimum score can vary from 75 to 100 on TOEFL or from 6.0 to 7.0 on IELTS. If the degree has a strong connection to your language skills, e.g. journalism or literature, you may be required to demonstrate a higher score on a particular part of the test, e.g., writing.
Experts at LinguaTrip.com can help you get the highest possible score on language exams. Check out our intensive preparatory courses for IELTS or TOEFL, or sign up for individual Skype lessons with our experienced tutor Anastasia. She scored 119 out of 120 on the TOEFL and 9 out of 9 on the IELTS and surely knows how to maximize your score.
Deciding on one or the other language exam fully depends on the range of universities to which you are going to apply. If you apply only for universities in the USA, take the TOEFL. This is an American English exam and it is commonly required in the USA. If you are applying for higher education programs all over the world, opt-in for the IELTS. This is an international English exam, accepted in the UK, Australia, Canada and many other countries.
Good Universities
If you aspire to go to a reputable university with better than average ranking, you may need to provide the results of your language exam and your SAT / ACT for Bachelor’s or a language exam and the GMAT / GRE for Master’s and PhD degrees.
The SAT or ACT is a standard exam taken by all high school graduates. If you are a foreign student, you can prepare for this test and pass it in your own country. One important thing to remember is that the SAT exam is held on specific days in the year and unlike the TOEFL or IELTS can be taken only during these times.
The SAT exam combines two major sections: Mathematics and Critical Reading and Thinking. The ACT covers four academic areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning. While the SAT tests your logical and critical thinking and demands some creative skills, the ACT is a more formal test that checks your knowledge of facts and figures. However, if you are afraid of the language barrier, the SAT can be an easier option for international students. If you feel that you need help in preparing for your SAT exams, book preparatory Skype classes with our tutor Michael.
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) assesses analytical writing and problem-solving abilities, testing such skills as working with data sufficiency, logical thinking, and critical reasoning. It is intended to test business and management acumen of post-grad students. It may be required for any economics or finance-related degree, including MBA, Marketing, Accounting, and other programs. Our tutor Dmitry is always there to help you with GMAT preparation via Skype.
If you are thinking about a degree in other fields of science, such as Physics, Chemistry or Biology, you may be required to pass the GRE test. The GRE uses a lot of academic terms and may be challenging for foreign students who have never done any scientific work in English before. At LinguaTrip.com, we can help you get ready for the GRE exam with private Skype lessons.
Ivy League and Other Top-Ranking Universities
Besides all the exams listed above, the top-listed universities will also require you to choose your core subject and sit for two additional tests in this field, either the SAT Subject for Bachelor’s or the GRE Subject for higher level degrees. In total, you will need to pass four exams to enter a top-ranking American university. That’s why it is important to start preparing for those at least two years in advance.
Remember, that while there is usually an officially required minimum only for language tests, the majority of top universities publish their average class profiles. There you can find the information about the average scores of previously accepted students on any exams. That should be your goal. Do not be discouraged if you hit lower than the average on one of your exams, but be realistic when submitting your application. To learn how to assess your chances of being accepted, check my previous article.
Summary
There are three major types of exams you may need to pass to enter an American university. The first and most obvious exam is the language proficiency test, IELTS or TOEFL. Then, you may also need to prove your academic skills and knowledge with your results at SAT / ACT or GMAT / GRE exam. If you aspire to go to one of the top-ranking universities, be prepared to pass the subject exams as well.
If you feel overwhelmed with exams you need to pass and documents you need to prepare to enter an American university, contact one of higher education consultants at LinguaTrip.com. They will help you to understand the application process, assist with selection of universities and programs, and help to prepare and submit all necessary documents. At LinguaTrip.com, we even assist with motivation letters and provide you with visa support.
