- The GMAT Focus Edition now has three sections (Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights), 64 questions and no essay, taking 2 hours 15 minutes
- The GRE runs about 1 hour 58 minutes after its 2023 revision
- From January 2026 the TOEFL iBT is shorter at roughly 90 minutes and moves to a 1 to 6 band score
- The SAT is now a fully digital, adaptive test, and the ACT science section is optional from 2025.
Studying at an overseas university is a goal for a growing number of Indian students, but admission is competitive and the process starts with the right exams. Most universities abroad ask for a combination of an English language test and, depending on the course, a standardized admission or entrance test.
The exact exams you need depend on the destination country, the level of study and the specific course. This guide explains the main language exams, the standardized and entrance tests, which exams you can take right after Class 12, how requirements vary by country, and the exams that help you win scholarships.
What Exams Do You Need to Study Abroad After 12th?
To study abroad after Class 12 you usually need two kinds of exams: an English language test such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, and, for many countries, a standardized admission test like the SAT or ACT. The exact combination depends on your destination country, chosen course and each university's own admission requirements.
Broadly, exams fall into two groups. Language exams prove your English proficiency and are required by almost every university. Standardized or entrance exams measure course-specific aptitude and are needed only for certain programmes, such as an MBA, medicine or law. Knowing which group applies to you helps you plan your preparation and test dates.
Best Countries to Study Abroad for Indian StudentsRead →Which Are the Main English Language Exams?
The most widely accepted English language exams are IELTS, TOEFL and PTE Academic. IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP and Cambridge and is preferred across the UK, Australia and New Zealand. TOEFL iBT is favoured in the US and Canada, while PTE Academic is accepted across all five major destinations.
IELTS
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge University Press and Assessment. It tests four skills - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Test dates run frequently through the year, and most university applicants take the IELTS Academic version.
TOEFL
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is administered by ETS and recognised by more than 13,000 institutions across over 160 countries. From January 2026 the TOEFL iBT is shorter, at about 90 minutes, and moves to a 1 to 6 band score, with both the older 0 to 120 and the new scores reported during a 2026 to 2028 transition. It is now delivered only as the internet-based test; the older paper-based and computer-based formats have been retired.
PTE
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic is a computer-based test measuring Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing, and now runs for about two hours. It uses automated scoring, returns results quickly, and is accepted for study and student visas across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US.
Government Education Loan for Study AbroadRead →Which Standardized and Entrance Exams Are Required?
Standardized exams assess course-specific aptitude rather than language. Undergraduate applicants to the US often take the SAT or ACT; postgraduate applicants take the GRE for most master's programmes or the GMAT for business school. Specialist tests include the MCAT for medicine and the LSAT for law. Requirements vary by university and by course.
GMAT
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is used by business schools for MBA and management admissions. The current GMAT Focus Edition has three sections - Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights - with 64 questions in 2 hours 15 minutes and no separate writing section. Scores range from 205 to 805.
GRE
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for many graduate and business programmes, especially in the US and Canada. Since its 2023 revision it runs about 1 hour 58 minutes and covers three measures - Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning - using a section-adaptive format.
SAT
The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) is taken mainly by undergraduate applicants to the US, and is also accepted in the UK, Canada and Australia. It is now a fully digital, adaptive test of about 2 hours 14 minutes, with two sections - Reading and Writing, and Math - scored on the 400 to 1600 scale.
ACT
The ACT is an alternative to the SAT for undergraduate admission in the US and Canada. Under its 2025 enhanced format, the core test covers English, Reading and Math in about two hours, the Science section is now optional, and results are reported on the 1 to 36 scale.
MCAT
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is required for admission to medical schools in the United States and Canada. It is a computer-based exam that tests scientific knowledge alongside critical analysis and reasoning skills, and is one of the longer standardized tests students take.
LSAT
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT), administered by the Law School Admission Council, is taken by students pursuing a career in law. It assesses critical reading, logical reasoning and analytical thinking - skills considered important for success in law school.
Which Exams Can You Take Right After Class 12?
Straight after Class 12, undergraduate-bound students typically sit an English test (IELTS, TOEFL or PTE) plus an undergraduate admission test. For the US that usually means the SAT or ACT, and some students add Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Postgraduate tests like the GRE and GMAT come later, after a bachelor's degree.
- SAT - Scholastic Assessment Test (undergraduate admission)
- ACT - American College Testing (undergraduate admission)
- AP - Advanced Placement exams (subject credit and strength)
- IELTS - International English Language Testing System
- TOEFL iBT - Test of English as a Foreign Language
- PTE Academic - Pearson Test of English
How Do Entrance Exams Vary by Country?
Entrance exams differ widely by destination. The US relies on the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT and LSAT alongside English tests; the UK uses subject-specific admissions tests and A-levels; Australia accepts English tests plus the ATAR; and Germany may require the GRE for TU9 universities and a German-language test for German-taught courses.
Always confirm the exact requirement on each university's admissions page, because policies change and a rising number of institutions are now test-optional for some standardized exams. The table below summarises the exams most commonly requested in the major English-speaking destinations for 2026.
| Destination 2026 | Common Admission or Entrance Exams | English Tests Accepted |
|---|---|---|
| USA | SAT, ACT, AP (UG); GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT (PG) | TOEFL iBT, IELTS, PTE |
| UK | A-levels, subject-specific admissions tests (e.g. LNAT, UCAT) | IELTS, PTE, TOEFL iBT |
| Australia | ATAR (UG); GRE, GMAT (PG) | IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE, OET |
| Canada | SAT, ACT (UG); GRE, GMAT, MCAT (PG) | TOEFL iBT, IELTS, PTE, CELPIP |
| Germany | GRE (TU9 and many master's), German-language test if taught in German | IELTS, TOEFL iBT |
What Scholarship Exams Help Fund Study Abroad?
There is no single scholarship exam; strong scores on standard admission tests such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT and English tests like IELTS or TOEFL often qualify you for merit scholarships. Universities also weigh your academic profile, statement of purpose, essays, recommendation letters and transcripts before awarding financial aid to students.
Popular scholarships for Indian students include the British Council GREAT Scholarships and Charles Wallace Trust awards for the UK, the Orange Tulip Scholarship for the Netherlands, the Campus France Charpak Scholarship for France, and university-specific merit awards in Australia and the US. Good test scores strengthen almost every one of these applications.
Which English Tests Are Accepted for Student Visas?
Beyond university admission, many countries require an approved English test for the student visa itself. Australia, for example, accepts nine tests including IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, OET and CELPIP, and has raised the minimum to IELTS 6.0. Always check both the university and the immigration department's current English requirements before booking.
| English Test 2026 | Full Name | Most Accepted In |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | International English Language Testing System | UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada |
| TOEFL iBT | Test of English as a Foreign Language | USA, Canada |
| PTE Academic | Pearson Test of English | UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA |
| OET | Occupational English Test | Australia, UK (healthcare) |
| CELPIP | Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program | Canada |