Exams to Study in USA : A Complete List of Entrance Exams
Thousands of students migrate to USA every year to complete their higher studies. Are you also one of them who want to study in USA?
Getting enrolled in USA universities, you've to pass one of entrance exam standarised by universities. Are you prepared for that? Don't know which exam to apply for? Right?
Dont Worry!! In this article, we've compiled a list of top 10 entrance exams to study in USA. Let’s discuss them one by one below:
List of Top 10 Entrance Exams to Study in USA
Let’s check out the list of top 10 entrance exams to study in USA. This list will help you make a clear decision about which exam you should apply for. So, without wasting any time, let’s move to the rundown:
1. ACT (American College Test)
ACT exam is a MCQ paper which is for getting admission in undergraduate degrees. This exam developed for checking your english, mathematics, reading and scientific reasoning.
This test evaluates the critical thinking of students before joining any institution. Here below are some important details help you applying for ACT exam.
ACT Exam Details
Exam Fees |
$46 to $62.50 |
Number of Sections |
Math, English, Reading, Science, Writing (option) |
Exam Duration |
3 hours, 35 minutes (writing included) |
Qualifying Score |
22 |
Who should apply for the ACT |
High school graduates applying for UG courses, stronghold on science, trigonometry and English |
Official Website |
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2. SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
SAT exam is one of the best MCQ type exams. This helps in checking the writing, mathematics, and reading knowledge. SAT exams also help students get grants from the government. The college examines the performance of the students by checking out the SAT scores. There are some great universities that accept SAT scores in the United States. Most of the institutions of India also accept SAT scores for admission.
SAT Exam Details
Exam Duration |
3 hours, 50 minutes (writing included) |
Exam Fees |
$213 |
Number of Sections |
Reading, Writing, Mathematics |
Qualifying Score |
400-1600 |
Who should apply for the SAT |
High school graduates applying for UG courses, strong problem-solving capability |
Official Website |
Bonus Read: SAT Accepting Colleges in USA
Here below is the list of English language entrance exams. Get all information that you need to know before applying for these exams.
3. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
This is one of the most attempted English skill examinations. The normal scores of the TOEFL usually range between 71 and 92 through the online medium. In that scenario, you need to get higher scores in the TOEFL exam. There are most of the universities that usually accept TOEFL as the English skill test. You need to check with the specific institution that accepts the TOEFL test.
TOEFL Exam Details
Exam Duration |
2 hours, 30 minutes |
Exam Fees |
$185 |
Number of Sections |
Speaking, Reading, Writing, Listening |
Qualifying Score |
600 to 900 |
Who should apply for TOEFL |
Students aiming to enroll in best universities of the USA |
Official Website |
Bonus Read: TOEFL accepting universities in USA
Looking for USA Study Visa?
4. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
IELTS exam recognized by around 4,000 educational institutions in all over th globe. These scores used to test an applicant's English language skill. The needed least IELTS score might vary anywhere from 6 to 7 in USA. Some of the prominant universities allow you to study in USA without IELTS exam. The IELTS rating is lower than TOEFL. Students has curious to know, Is IELTS recognized at the institution that they want to attend.
IELTS Exam Details
Exam Duration |
2 hours, 45 minutes |
Exam Fees |
$245–255 |
Number of Sections |
Speaking, Reading, Writing, Listening |
Qualifying Score |
6.0 to 8.0 |
Who should apply for IELTS |
Students aiming to enroll in best universities of the USA |
Official Website |
Reading Tip : ielts 6 band universities in usa
5. PTE (Pearson English Test)
PTE is a standardized test for evaluating English language skills. Moreover, it takes and checks only on a computer . But, students who want to go in a major English-speaking nation. This test will benefit the most. It is a computer-based exam, and only lately, a test-from-home format available for it.
PTE Exam Details
Exam Duration |
3 hours |
Exam Fees |
$177 |
Number of Sections |
Speaking, Reading, Writing, Listening |
Qualifying Score |
600 to 900 |
Who should apply for PTE |
Students aiming to enroll in best universities of the USA |
Official Website: |
Suggested: PTE 50 score accepted universities in USA
6. Duolingo
Duolingo is one of the most known worldwide tests for rating the English skills of an individual. A good score in Duolingo is around 120 or even more. This test helps you to get entry into the best universities present in USA. The format of this test is quite simple and it can given without even great preparation.
Duolingo Exam Details
Exam Duration |
1 hour |
Exam Fees |
$49 |
Number of Sections |
Speaking, Reading, Writing, Listening |
Qualifying Score |
120 |
Who should apply for Duolingo |
Students who want to prove their English proficiency |
Official Website |
Read More: duolingo 105 score accepted universities in usa
Here below is the list of entrance exams for study postgraduate degrees in USA. Get all information that you need to know before applying for these exams.
7. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
If you choose to pursue a master's degree in engineering in the United States. You will need to take the GRE exam. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are now accepted by several MBA programmes. Moreover, this test recognized by over 1400 educational institutions all over the world. Both online and offline access is possible with it.
GRE Exam Details
Type of Test |
General Test and Subject Test |
Sections |
Analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning |
Score |
160 |
Test Duration |
General- 3 hours, 45 minutesSubject- 2 hours, 50 minutes |
Who can take the test |
Students aiming to take admission in MBA, MS, and law etc. |
Exam Fees |
$213 |
Official Website |
Bonus Read: GRE score required for scholarship in USA
8. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
GMAT test required, if your goal is to enroll in one of the best business schools in the United States. The necessary score is around 700. Moreover, you need to get a certain score on GMAT. Many colleges and institutions do not need GMAT scores for entrance. Corporations besides ask for them throughout interviewing process.
GMAT Exam Details
Exam Duration |
3 hours, 07 minutes (excluding two 8-minute breaks) |
Exam Fees |
$250 |
Number of Sections |
Integrated Reasoning, Verbal reasoning, Quantitative reasoning, Writing |
Qualifying Score |
650-700 |
Who should apply for GMAT |
Students enrolling for MBA |
Official Website |
Here below is the list of other stream based entrance exams. For that exams what you need to know before applying for these exams.
9. MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)
Students who want to go for medical school need to to take MCAT. This exam analyze the candidate's writing abilities, verbal thinking. Moreover, knowledge of biological and physical science. MCAT is a exam to judge whether a candidate is capable for medical course curriculum.
MCAT Exam Details
Exam Duration |
7 hours, 30 minutes |
Exam Fees |
$320 |
Number of Sections |
CARS, Biology, Physical Science, Psychology, Biological and Social behavioral foundations |
Qualifying Score |
500-650 |
Who should apply for MCAT |
Students aiming to enroll in medical schools |
Official Website |
students-residents.aamc.org/taking-mcat-exam/taking-mcat-exam |
10. LSAT (Law School Admission Test)
If you are a student and you want to get admitted to a law school. In that case, students required to take the LSAT to qualify for admission to law school. On the LSAT, a score of 130 considered satisfactory. If you're interested in attending prestigious legal schools. For these schools are Yale, Stanford, Harvard and others, you will need to have a score that is greater than 160.
LSAT Exam Details
Exam Duration |
2 hours, 20 minutes |
Exam Fees |
$200 |
Number of Sections |
Analytical Reasoning, Logical reasoningm, 1 and 2 Reading Comprehension |
Qualifying Score |
150-160 |
Who should apply for LSAT |
Students aiming to enroll in law schools |
Official Website |
FAQ
Ques 1) What will be the quality scores of the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) for getting the admissions?
Ans) The quality score that an individual requires in the GMAT will be around 650-700.
Ques 2) What is the registration fee for the PTE exam?
Ans) The basic fee for the PTE exam is INR 13,300.
Ques 3) Who can apply for the SAT exam?
Ans) All high school graduates applying for UG courses, with strong problem-solving capability can apply for the SAT exam.
Ques 4) Can I apply for the IELTS exam?
Ans) Students aiming to enroll in the best universities in the USA can basically go for the IELTS exam.
Ques 5) What is the cost of giving the Duolingo exam?
Ans) The fee that a student has to pay for Duolingo is INR 3800.
Wrapping Up
We are sure that after reading this blog you will get an adequate idea about the exams to study in the USA. These exams will not only guide you. Yet, they will also make you prepare for the required exams. So, that it can help you in a remarkable manner. Your aspiration to study in USA can fulfilled. If you think that you will be able to get full information about these exams. At IBT Overseas, we have an experienced team of USA student visa consultants that will help you in your study visa process.