Standardized Tests

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Standardized Tests
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U.S. Education

In the U.S. standardized tests are used to assess the abilities of individuals. We use the the results of these tests to determine everything from college admissions to professional licensing. The SAT and ACT are what most people think of as standardized admissions tests. At most U.S. schools they will require that you take one or more standardized admissions tests. Admissions tests like the SAT and ACT are intended to provide a standard measure of achievement and ability. The school will use your standardized test scores to see if their school is a good match for you. If you score far below their average student they will know that their courses will be too challenging for you. On the other hand if you score far above their average they know that perhaps their courses will be too easy for you.

You must submit your standardized test scores from these tests with all of your other application materials. The school will generally determine your eligibility according to all of the materials you submit to them, not just your test scores. Test scores play a different role in each school's final admittance decision.

Admission Tests

For undergraduate admissions, you will usually only be required to take the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Almost all programs graduate or undergraduate will require you, as an international student, to take the TOEFL. This test determines whether you have adequate proficiency in English to do well in a U.S. school.

Graduate schools often require specialized tests in whatever area you are going to be studying in. These tests can include:

• Dental Admission Testing Program (DAT- for dental school)
• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE- for liveral arts, sience, math)
• Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT - for business schools/MBA[master's in business administration] programs)
• Law School Admission Testing Program (LSAT test - for law schools)
• Medical College Admission Test (MCAT test- for medical school)
• Optometry Admission Testing Program (OAT)
• Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Test of Spoken English (TSE)
• Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT)

Contact each school that you are applying to, they will tell you which tests they require. Once you know which tests you have to take, it is important to find out when and where they are offered in your country. You can sometimes contact the institution administering the test for testing site and time information.

As soon as you find out when and where you can take the test register. Registering early will make sure that you get to take the test when you want to. And taking the test earlier is always better as it helps ensure that your scores will arrive in time to meet your application deadlines.

Test Fees

Each time you take a standardized test there will be a testing fee. This fee pays for testing materials as well as for your scores to be sent to several schools. Sometimes the amount of schools that they send your scores to won't be enough. In that case you can pay an extra fee to have your scores sent to all of your scores. 

Test Preparation

There is tons of material out there to help with test preparation. You may often find free publications and sample practice tests are available to help you become familiar with the type of questions asked on the test. You may also want to go through our SAT preparation guide. It will give you some good general testing smarts that apply to taking all standardized tests, not just the SAT.