Standardized Tests are the general tests taken by every high school student, irrespective of his/her stream, as part of the US Admissions Process. At the undergraduate level, students are expected to prove their merit by securing good scores in the SAT or ACT exam.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
SAT exam is conducted by College Board and comprises of three sections based on the concepts of English and Mathematics, learnt during high school. It is always advisable to take the SAT/ACT exam while pursuing intermediate since the concepts are fresh in mind.
SAT Subject Tests are subject specific tests that are required by US Universities in some cases. In one hour, one needs to showcase the interests and achievements in respective subject areas they want to excel at. SAT Subject Tests give immense credibility to the overall profile and one can easily justify his/her credentials.
| Section | Mathematics Section | Critical Reading Section | Writing Section |
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| Time | 70 minutes | 70 minutes | 60 minutes |
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| Total Marks | 800 | 800 | 800 |
There are 20 SAT Subject Tests in 5 general subject areas: English, History, Languages, Mathematics and Science. A good score can also entitle one to receive credit for introductory-level courses in the undergraduate programs.
American College Testing (ACT)
ACT exam is another standardized test used as a college entrance exam in the US, headed by the American College Testing Program.
Although it comprises of same English, Mathematics and Writing sections, it also has an additional Science section to it. Anyone with an in depth subject knowledge, can add more value to his/her profile and leave an outstanding impression on the assessor.
| Section | English | Maths | Reading | Science Reasoning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | 45 minutes, 75 questions | 60 minutes, 60 questions | 35 minutes, 40 questions | 35 minutes, 40 questions |
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ENGLISH PROFICIENCY EXAM
The primary language of study in the US is English. Since it is not the first language in many countries, including India, the US universities and embassy require an aspirant to clear the English Proficiency Exam as a mandatory eligibility criterion. This verifies the student’s ability to comprehend and sustain well in the US. The two types of English proficiency exams are-
TOEFL
The TOEFL iBT® (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an online language proficiency exam. The test measures students’ ability to use and understand English at the university level. It tests the listening, speaking, reading and writing abilities of the prospective students to perform academic tasks.
IELTS
IELTS, The International English Language Testing System is a paper based proficiency test. This test too evaluates the students in four sections – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Good scores open doors to various top universities in the US.
