Exams to Study in USA: GMAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, SAT

Study Abroad Content Writer at Collegedunia | Updated On - May 14, 2024

Highlights:

The main exams to study in the USA include IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, GRE, SAT, etc.
SAT and ACT are required for undergraduate admissions.
GMAT, GRE, and MCAT are required for graduate courses.
IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE are taken to determine the English language proficiency of a candidate.
Top US universities such as MIT, Harvard, and Stanford do not accept exam scores that are more than 2 years old.
Application fees required for exams to study in the USA range from INR 5,000 to INR 22,500.

To study in the US for higher education, you are required to submit the scores of some exams including English Language, Undergraduate and Postgraduate tests. They can be further classified as:

SAT and ACT scores are required for undergraduate admissions.
GMAT/GRE and MCAT are required for graduate-level courses.
The English Proficiency Tests required in common for all international applicants are IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, etc. It helps to determine the English language proficiency of a candidate.

The fees required for exams USA may vary depending on the particular year. The application fee must be paid at the time of registration. It is recommended that you must apply within the mentioned deadline for these exams.

Table of Content

Application Fees
ELP Requirements to Study
Exams for UG Programs
Exams for PG Courses
FAQs

Application Fees for Exams to Study in USA

The important tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE, and their application fees, deadlines, and purpose are summarized below.

Test	Application Fee	Deadline 2024	Purpose
IELTS	INR 17,000	June 13	Accepted in top abroad universities as criteria for English Proficiency
TOEFL	INR 16,900	May 18	Undertaken to examine the listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills of candidates
PTE	INR 17,000	Conducted throughout the year	Determines the English Proficiency level of a candidate
SAT	INR 4,090	May 16	Taken for admission in the undergraduate courses in the USA
LSAT	INR 3,499	May 5	To assess the reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning skills of a candidate
GRE	INR 22,550	Rolling	The test is mainly required for admission to business and MBA programs
GMAT	INR 22,296	Rolling	Mainly required for admission in the MBA programs
MCAT	INR 27,000	July 25	Entrance exam for the medical programs abroad
DAT	INR 5,000	December 3	Entrance exam required for dental schools in the USA

English Language Proficiency Requirements to Study in USA

Applicants from non-English native countries must demonstrate their English language proficiency skills to study higher education in USA. The competitive exams to write to study in USA and their details are given below:

Exam	Minimum Score Requirements	Universities Accepting the Score
TOEFL	65-85	Arizona State University, Cleveland University, Colorado State University
IELTS	6.5-9	University of Florida, George Washington University, Texas A&M University
PTE	58-70	University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Illinois at Urbana, University of Texas at Austin
DET	105-115	Rice University, Northeastern University, University of Maryland

alt tags

Exams to Study in USA for UG Programs

SAT

The SAT test holds very high significance in a candidate’s application while he/she is applying for an undergraduate program in USA. The SAT scores are accepted by every university in USA

Minimum required score of 1300.
However, in some prestigious institutes like Harvard University, a minimum SAT score of 1520 is required.

ACT

ACT is one of the standardized exams accepted in US Universities.

The minimum score required is around 32-36
Top colleges that require ACT are MIT, Stanford University, Harvard University, etc.

Exams to Study in USA for PG Courses

Unlike undergraduate admissions, the exams required for graduate courses in USA differ as per the subject chosen. For instance, the GMAT is majorly accepted for MBA or other business courses at the graduate level, the LSAT for law, and the MCAT is accepted for medical courses. On the other hand, GRE scores are accepted for all MS courses in USA regardless of major including finance, engineering, and medicine.

GRE

The GRE exam generally acts as an entrance exam for MS in the USA including business administration, engineering etc. The exam is also accepted for Ph.D.-level courses.

The applicant can select from 7 subject-specific GRE tests along with the General GRE exam.
The test consists of three sections Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
On average, a minimum overall GRE score of 320 is required in top US universities. GRE can also be accepted as an alternative to the GMAT test for admission to an MBA in USA.

LSAT

LSAT or Law School Admission Test is a general exam required for admission to Law schools in USA. Although the average accepted LSAT score is 150, the top 25 law schools ask for a score above 160. A 70% weightage is given to LSAT scores in the majority of US Law schools.

MCAT

Those who wish to get into medical schools in USA are required to appear in the MCAT exam or Medical College Admission Test. A minimum average MCAT score of 510 is required in USA.

GMAT

GMAT can be one most difficult exams in USA for higher studies.

US universities accept an average GMAT score of 700, while some top business schools may require a score above 740.
Many universities may also offer GMAT waiver options with requirements of a higher undergraduate GPA or work experience.

DAT

DAT or Dental Admission Test is required from those who wish to apply to Dental schools in USA. Nearly 66 dental schools accept DAT scores in the USA. The average acceptable score for DAT in USA ranges between 12-28.

OAT

An individual seeking admission to an Optometry School in USA is required to provide OAT exam scores. There are 21 certified Optometry schools in the USA and all of them accept OAT or Optometry Admission Test. The minimum OAT score acceptable in the USA is around 310.

Scoring well in one of these tests surely strengthens a candidate's profile while applying for admission to US Universities. International students are advised to thoroughly check the course and the university's official website to find out what exams are required to study in USA and the official deadlines to submit these scores.

FAQs

Ques. Which exam is required for study in USA?

Ans. If applying for an undergraduate degree in the USA then the majority of the universities will ask for ACT or SAT scores. In case of admission to graduate programs, the required exams vary depending on the program major or subject. For instance, business schools asks for GMAT scores while law schools require LSAT scores.

Ques. Which course is best to study in USA?

Ans. Among the top courses to study in USA include engineering, computer science and information technology, business analytics, data science, pharmacy, and business

Ques.Is IELTS compulsory for the USA?

Ans. It is not mandatory for international students to provide an IELTS score as many universities offer an IELTS waiver option. There are several other options available apart from IELTS scores such as TOEFL-IBT, PTE, Duolingo, etc.

Ques.Is SAT compulsory for the USA?

Ans. Almost every university in USA requires SAT scores for undergraduate admissions and very few of them may ask for SAT subject test results.

Ques. How much IELTS score is required for the USA?

Ans. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is required for admission in most US universities except prestigious institutions like Harvard and Stanford where an IELTS score of 7.0 or above is required. Alternatively, students can submit a TOEFL score of 65 to 85 or PTE score of 70-80.

Ques. Is GMAT accepted for MBA in USA?

Ans. GMAT can be one most difficult exams in USA for higher studies. US universities accept an average GMAT score of 700, while some top business schools may require a score above 740.