Standardized Tests

As part of the application process, most graduate programs require one or more standardized test scores. In the United States, universities or schools establish their own admission requirements, including which third-party standardized tests they accept.

Take these exams a year to 18 months before the date you plan to study in the United States since you may want to take them more then once to improve your scores. There are many websites, books, and tutors available for test preparation.

English Language Ability Tests - Being able to communicate in English is a basic requirement for successful graduate study in the United States. If English is not your native language, U.S. colleges and universities will ask you to take an English language proficiency test.

The most common tests of English language ability are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), and the Pearson Test of English (PTE).

Admissions Tests

Testing requirements vary among graduate programs, so be sure to confirm requirements with institutions. Some of the specialized graduate-level examinations:




LSAT: A standardized test that measures acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools use as one assessment factor for admission.

DAT: A multiple-choice test to measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information, and perceptual ability, used for admission to Dental schools.