• USA

Exams Required to Study in USA

1493 Reads
3 min Read

By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Dec 31,2024 12:44 PM IST

There are two types of exams to study in the USA: English language proficiency exams and standard exams.
English exams assess your language skills, while standard exams evaluate subject knowledge at a specific level of study.
Popular English exams to study in the USA are IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo while standard exams are SAT, GRE, and GMAT.

Exams Required to Study in USA.webp

If you want to study in the USA, you might have to take a few exams depending on your field, and study goals. These exams help US Universities & Colleges evaluate a student’s eligibility and readiness to study the program of their choice in the country. Generally, there are two types of exams: English language proficiency exams and standardised exams.

English language proficiency exams are Compulsory for international students because English is the main medium of instruction in the USA. On the other hand, Standardized exams are program-level tests that evaluate a student’s aptitude in their chosen field of study.

What Exams Are Required to Study in USA?

There are various exams required to study in the USA. Following are the three major categories of exams to study in the USA:

English Language Proficiency Exams
Undergraduate Standard Exams
Postgraduate Standard Exams

Let’s know about each exam in detail:

Professional Exams to Study in USA

There are some major standardised exams that are required to pursue professional courses in fields like medicine & law in the USA. One is the LSAT for law and the second is the MCAT for medical programs. Let’s know about them:

LSAT: The Law School Admission Test, or LSAT, is the exam required to study at top law schools in the USA. It tests four skills of candidates: reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, and writing ability. Its duration is 2 hours and 20 minutes, and its score ranges from 120 to 180. To get admission into law schools in the USA, you must score a minimum of 130. However, some top schools demand a score of more than 160.

MCAT: If you want to pursue medical programs in the USA you would be required to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). It assesses your problem-solving, and critical thinking skills and knowledge of natural and social science concepts. The exam lasts for 7 hours and 30 minutes and its score ranges from 472-528. The average MCAT score required to get admission into medical colleges in the USA is 510.

English Proficiency Exams to Study in USA

Almost every American university demands you to take one or the other English language exam. The popular English language exams to study in the USA are:

TOEFL: The Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL is a popular English language exam considered by many American universities. The exam is accepted by more than 13,000 universities in over 200 countries globally. TOEFL is accepted for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs in American universities. The time limit for the exam is 3 hours, and its score ranges from 0-120. For most of the universities, the average TOEFL score range is 61-89. However, some top universities even demand a TOEFL score of 100.

IELTS: The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is another exam you can use to prove your English proficiency. It is accepted by more than 11,000 institutions in more than 140 countries worldwide. There are two types of IELTS exam : IELTS academic and IELTS General training. IELTS has four sections: writing, speaking, listening, and reading. The duration of the exam is 2 hours 45 minutes, and its score ranges from 0-9. Most American universities give you admission if you have an IELTS score between 6.5 and 9.

PTE: Another English exam that has started gaining popularity in recent times is the Pearson Test of English or PTE. It is accepted by 3500 institutions around the world. There are two types of PTE exam: PTE Academic and PTE General. It examines four skills which are speaking & writing, reading, listening, and integrated skills. The duration of PTE is 2 hours, and its score range between 10 and 90. The minimum PTE score required to get admission into an American university is 70.

Duolingo: Duolingo English Test or DET is another English exam to study in the USA. Its duration is 60 minutes, and its score ranges from 10-160. Duolingo test consists of 4 sections which are speaking, writing, reading, and listening. It tests you on 4 parameters: literacy, comprehension, conversation, and production. To get admission to a university in USA, you should score between 100 and 120.

Exams Required to Study Bachelor’s in USA

To study an undergraduate program in the USA, two types of exams are required; let’s learn about them in depth:

SAT: The Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT is an aptitude test conducted by The College Board. It has 2 sections which are reading & writing and Maths. The exam measures 3 skills of candidates, which are reading, maths, and writing. The exam lasts 2 hours and 14 minutes, and its score ranges between 400-1600. For most of the universities, you need to have a SAT score of 1200-1350.

ACT: The American College Test or ACT tests a candidate on four skills which are English, mathematics, reading, and science. ACT lasts for 3 hours, and its score ranges between 1 and 36. You can take admission into an American university with an ACT score of 20-23.

GRE: Graduate Record Examinations or GRE is a popular exam taken by students who want to pursue business management and engineering programs in the USA. It is divided into 3 sections: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. It tests your critical skills and communication skills. GRE lasts for 3 hours and 45 minutes and its score ranges between 260-340. The required GRE score for most of the American universities is 300-320.

GMAT: If you want to pursue a business management or MBA program, you need to take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). It consists of 4 sections: Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. It examines four skills of candidates: analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning. The duration of the GMAT is 3 hours, and its score ranges from 200-805. The minimum GMAT score for American universities is 556.

Fee of Exams Required to Study in USA

Here is a complete breakdown of the costs involved in the exams required to study in the USA:

Exam Name	Fee (USD)
IELTS	195-202
TOEFL	205
PTE	More than 200
Duolingo	65
ACT	66 (without writing) / 91 (with writing)
SAT	111
GRE	220
GMAT	275
LSAT	238
MCAT	335

Note: The exam fees may vary so students are advised to check it from the official websites while registering for the exam.

Conclusion

Now you know about the exams required to study in the USA. So don’t wait any further just start preparing for these exams. Check on which level of study you are in and select the required exam. For law, you have the LSAT, while for medical programs, your go-to exam is MCAT. Crack your exam and get into the top cream students in the USA. You are just one exam away from studying your dream subject at your dream American university. Conquer this step by preparing well for your exam. If you have any confusion regarding any of the exams, you can contact the study abroad consultants at Canam.

FAQ

Which exam is required to study in the USA?

For UG programs you would be required to take the ACT and SAT exams. On the other hand, for PG programs you need to take the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT.

Do I need to take the SAT to study in the USA?

For UG programs most of the universities require you to take the SAT exam. However, while applying for your program you should check if it's required by your university.

Which test is required for a USA study visa?

To prove English proficiency, you can take either IELTS or TOEFL. On the other hand, depending on the course level you would be required to take standard exams. For UG programs you can take ACT or SAT while for PG programs you have to take GRE or GMAT.

Which test is best for USA?

The SAT is one of the most popular exams to study in the USA. It is accepted by almost every university in the USA.

Which exam is tough in USA?

Some of the hardest exams in the USA are GRE, GMAT, and MCAT. However, you can perform well in these exams with hard work and full-fledged preparation.

Can I go USA without IELTS or TOEFL?

Yes, you can study in the USA without taking IELTS or TOEFL. But then you have to prove your English proficiency through other exams such as Duolingo or PTE Academic.

Can I go to the USA only with a TOEFL score?

Yes, you can go to the USA only with a TOEFL score but you should check if your university accepts TOEFL scores.

Get great articles direct to your inbox

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.

Popular Universities to Study Abroad

World class education waiting for you.

Pures College of Technology

Ontario, Canada • 7 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 14000-14500 / year

Navitas Group - Edith Cowan College - Joondalup Campus

Western Australia, Australia • 107 Programmes

Tuition Fee : AUD 30500-35000 / year

Anglia Ruskin University - Peterborough Campus

England, UK • 13 Programmes

Tuition Fee : GBP 13000-17000 / year

San Francisco Film School

California, USA • 1 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 27000-28000 / year

State University of New York - Buffalo State University

New York, USA • 119 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 19000-19700 / year

Shorelight Group - University of the Pacific - Stockton Campus

California, USA • 73 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 40000-58000 / year

Suncrest College - Melfort Campus

Saskatchewan, Canada • 1 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 17000-17500 / year

Adelphi University

New York, USA • 4 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 0-0 / year

View All Universities

Latest at CANAM

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

The International Education Fair

Study in Canada, UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, Singapore, Germany, Ireland, France

New Delhi • 11:00AM

In-Person Event

University Visits - Confederation College

Study in Canada • University Visit

Hyderabad-Kukatpally • 10:00AM

In-Person Event

Study Group, UK

Study in UK • University Visit

Amritsar • 11:00AM

In-Person Event

Top countries destinations

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland
Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland
Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales
Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria
Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia
Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland
La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria
LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland
Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland
Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland
Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay
Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland
Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland
New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland
The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

Kent state university Ohio
San Jose State University California
Wright State University Ohio
Clark University Massachusetts
Rowan University New Jersey
Arkansas State University Arkansas
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois
University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

Blogs and Articles

Curated content to keep you updated on the latest education trends, news and more.

A Guide to calculating CGPA to percentage to study abroad

Assessing one’s academic performance is essential for determining the future course of action. One of the primary reasons to measure this performanc...

Updated on • Apr 26,2025 01:27 PM IST • Study Abroad

SAT Exam 2025: Dates, Registration, Eligibility, and Preparation Tips

Are you dreaming of studying at the top universities in the USA? If yes, then you should definitely know about one important exam, which is the SAT. I...

Updated on • Apr 25,2025 10:39 AM IST • Education

Ireland Student Visa Process 2025 | Step-by-Step Guide & Requirements

Wondering why to study in Ireland?. We will give you numerous reasons to head in that direction. Apart from being one of the most preferred study dest...

Updated on • Apr 19,2025 03:30 PM IST • Ireland

ACT vs. SAT: Which One to Choose?

Many colleges and universities require students to submit scores from the SAT or ACT- both recognized standardized exams as part of the admission proc...

Updated on • Apr 14,2025 01:46 PM IST • Study Abroad

Five Types of IELTS Essays

Love giving opinions? Welcome to IELTS writing task 2. In this task, you get different types of essays, one of which is an opinion essay. There are fi...

Updated on • Apr 11,2025 05:53 PM IST • IELTS

Backlog Certificate: A Complete Guide

What is a backlog?In an academic context, a "backlog" refers to a course or subject that a student did not pass on their first attempt during their re...

Updated on • Apr 11,2025 01:47 PM IST • Study Abroad Guidance

PTE Score Chart 2025: PTE Exam Scoring System & Calculation

Most international institutions demand proof of strong English skills, making language proficiency tests a necessity to pursue higher education. While...

Updated on • Apr 09,2025 05:37 PM IST • PTE

Master's in Computer Science in the USA

Silicon Valley in the United States of America has been the global mecca of technology and invention. Every significant technological advancement has ...

Updated on • Apr 08,2025 05:59 PM IST • USA

MBA is one of the most sought-after courses worldwide and consistently tops the list of preferred study abroad courses for Indian students. Now, wheth...

Updated on • Apr 08,2025 04:47 PM IST • Study Abroad

Describe Your Hometown IELTS Speaking Part 1 Topic

The IELTS Speaking part 1 topic ‘Describe your Hometown’ is one of the most often asked and easiest topics to answer in an IELTS test. In this top...

Updated on • Apr 07,2025 05:50 PM IST • IELTS

How to Get a Job in USA in 2025

USA is not just a great destination for studying abroad, but also for pursuing a full-time job. That’s why the internet is filled with queries like ...

Updated on • Apr 07,2025 03:19 PM IST • USA

Highest Paying Jobs in the World

With super-advanced technologies like AI entering every field, the assumptions are high that the job roles that exist today won't exist after some yea...

Updated on • Apr 01,2025 05:31 PM IST • Study Abroad

Student Life in Ireland in 2025

“World-Class Standards, Warmest of Welcomes”. The tagline highlights the ideal balance of a high-quality education and a tremendous, hospitable cu...

Updated on • Mar 29,2025 05:50 PM IST • Ireland

Top Public Universities in Germany

It’s a notion that studying abroad is expensive, but there is one country that is breaking this notion. Germany, also known as the land of ideas, of...

Updated on • Mar 26,2025 04:33 PM IST • Germany

Top Universities for Masters in Ireland in 2025

Learning never stops. Humans learn till their last breath. After completing your bachelor’s degree, you might be considering pursuing a master’s d...

Updated on • Mar 25,2025 04:36 PM IST • Ireland

Cost of Living in Singapore for Indian Students in 2025

Once a poor island nation, Singapore now has become one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Also known as Lion City, Singapore is becoming an in...

Updated on • Mar 22,2025 11:57 AM IST • Singapore

PTE vs IELTS : Know the Difference and Which is Easier?

An English proficiency test is required to study in countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK, and others. PTE and IELTS are th...

Updated on • Mar 21,2025 03:38 PM IST • IELTS

IELTS Score for Germany 2025

Germany is an emerging study-abroad destination for international students seeking affordable, high-quality education. Its other benefits include a wi...

Updated on • Mar 20,2025 10:19 AM IST • Germany

IELTS Score for Ireland 2025

Ireland is one of the top study-abroad destinations targeted by international students. The country is ranked 2nd in the Global Peace Index 2024, has ...

Updated on • Mar 12,2025 11:20 AM IST • Ireland

Master's in Robotics in USA

Technology keeps improving daily and leads to new inventions. One such invention is robotics, which is making human life easier. The USA, being a top ...

Updated on • Mar 11,2025 01:18 PM IST • USA

Exams Required to Study in USA

Table of Contents

What Exams Are Required to Study in USA?

Professional Exams to Study in USA

English Proficiency Exams to Study in USA

Exams Required to Study Bachelor’s in USA

Fee of Exams Required to Study in USA

Conclusion

FAQ

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland

Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland

Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales

Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria

Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia

Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland

La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria

LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

University Canada West British Columbia

University of Windsor Ontario

Dalhousie University Nova Scotia

Carleton University Ontario

Cape Breton University Nova Scotia

University of ottawa Ontario

University of saskatchewan Saskatchewan

University of regina Saskatchewan

University of guelph Ontario

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland

Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland

Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland

Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay

Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland

Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland

New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland

The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

University of Warwick England

De Montfort University England

University of West London England

University of Strathclyde Scotland

Aston University England

University of Bath England

University of Liverpool England

Durham University England

Newcastle University England

Kent state university Ohio

San Jose State University California

Wright State University Ohio

Clark University Massachusetts

Rowan University New Jersey

Arkansas State University Arkansas

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois

University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams