The International Student

THE REQUIRED EXAMINATIONS.

Tests are one of the many important pieces of information schools use to make a decision on whether to  admit a student to a particular field of study. Students with low test scores can still be admitted on the basis of other factors. 

The weight given to your standardized test results depends on the school you attend. Some schools consider your scores closely when awarding scholarships and grants.

 Most college and university catalogs include the average scores of students accepted for admission in the previous year.

There are two academic tests that future undergraduates can take: the SAT and the ACT. You will only be required to take one. Some of the tests commonly required by U.S. universities and colleges are:

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). The purpose of this test is to evaluate the English proficiency of those students whose native language is not English. The scores are required for purposes of admission by more than 2,400 universities and colleges in the United States and Canada.

The test uses a multiple-choice format to measure the ability to understand North American English. The test is a two and half hour multiple choice exam in three parts: listening comprehension; structure and written expression; and vocabulary and reading comprehension. 

TOEFL is required of undergraduates seeking a first degree and graduate students seeking an advanced degree.

 TOEFL introduced the computer-based test which is different from the traditional paper based test. The test was introduced as a computer-based test in July 1998 in many parts of the world. 

TOEFL Testing Formats

There are two formats of the TOEFL. It is important to understand where each will be administered and the differences between both formats. 

The Supplemental Paper-Based Test

This format of the test is administered by giving each examinee a book with test questions printed in it. The examinee selects from one of four possible answers for each question. 

The paper-based test has three sections: Listening Comprehension, Structure and Written Expression, and Reading Comprehension. 

Score reports are mailed to examinees and up to four institutions about five weeks after the test date.

The Computer-Based Test

The computer format of the test is administered throughout the world. On the day of the test, each examinee is assigned to an individual testing station that contains a computer, headphones and writing space. The questions appear on a computer screen. Examinees select the answer that is most appropriate in response to each question asked. 

Some question types used in the computer-based test are different from those in the paper-based test.  

Immediately after the test, the examinee have the option of viewing the unofficial scores on the computer screen, except the writing section. 

A score report is mailed to each examinee and up to four institutions within two weeks after the test if the examinee types his or her essay. Scores for examinees who handwrite their essay are mailed about five weeks after test date.

Contact www.toefl.org  to get more information about the exam and the new format. You can also obtain a free copy of the test Bulletin by requesting a copy from the distribution office for your country or area or you can go to the TOEFL website to order online.

The test is also used by institutions in other countries where English is the language of instruction. More on the Computer based test in the future. Check back for updates.

SAT I: REASONING TEST.

The purpose of the test is to help determine whether a student is likely to succeed in the first year of college. It measures the developed verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities of prospective students.

It is generally required of students seeking admission to the first year of bachelor's level study and it is a two and half hour test. Scores for the verbal and mathematics range from 200 to 800 each. 

Competitive colleges and universities often require the sum of both scores to be 1100 or greater out of a possible total score of 1600. The best way to prepare for the test is to take challenging academic courses and to do plenty of reading throughout your school years.

SAT II: SUBJECT TESTS.

The purpose of this test is to measure the knowledge and the ability to apply knowledge in specific subject matter areas. It is generally required of undergraduates seeking admission as first-year students to selective institutions. One or more SAT II subject tests may be required. 

There are seventeen subjects each lasting one hour. They are: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics level IC, Mathematics level IIC, Writing, English Literature, American History and Social Studies, World History, Chinese,

 Japanese, Spanish, Latin, French, German, Italian, Modern Hebrew. 

For more information about the test, go to www.collegeboard.com 

ACT: The purpose of this test is to measure general educational development, and it is generally required of students seeking admission to the first year of a bachelor's level program. It lasts three hours and tests the students English usage, mathematics usage, reading, and science reasoning.

GMAT (GRADUATE MANAGEMENT ADMISSIONS TEST).

The purpose of this test is to measure the verbal and mathematical abilities relevant to successful study of business and management at the graduate level. GMAT is a standardized assessment test. 

The test is comprised of three sections-analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, and verbal reasoning. Each of these areas is measured using different types of questions that have specific instructions.  

GMAT evaluates skills and abilities that develop over long periods of time. The exam does not test specific knowledge obtained in college courses, and it does not seek to measure achievements in any specific areas of study. 

It is generally required of students seeking admission to a business or management program at the master's or doctoral level.  GMAT tries to maintain the same level of difficulty as the previous test.

The computerized GMAT uses the same type of questions as the Paper and Pencil test. You can take the test as often as you want, but many business schools will average your scores.  

GMAT scores are one measure of your ability to do graduate work. The GMAT predicts your chances of academic success in your first year of an MBA program. The test yields four scores verbal, quantitative, total, and analytical writing. 

The verbal and quantitative scores range from 0 to 60. These scores are on a fixed scale and can be compared across any GMAT administration. 

The verbal and quantitative scores measure different strengths and are not comparable to each other. Total scores range from 200 to 800. For more information on the test, go to www.gmat.org 

GRE (GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATION)

The purpose of this exam is to assess the academic knowledge and skills relevant to graduate study. The test consists of three scored sections. It measures verbal, quantitative, and analytical skills that the student acquired over a period of time. They are not related to any specific field of study. The test consists of three sections.

Verbal: 30-minute section (30 questions) The verbal section tests your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and analyze information, analyze relationships among parts of sentences, and recognize relationships between words and concepts. Activities of daily life and varying categories of the sciences, humanities, social studies are among the areas tested.

Quantitative: 45-minute section (28 questions)  The quantitative section tests your basic understanding of elementary mathematical concepts and mathematical skills, and your ability to reason quantitatively and solve problems in a quantitative setting. Areas tested includes algebra, geometry, arithmetic and data analysis. 

Analytical: 60-minute section (35 questions) — The analytical section tests your ability to understand structured sets of relationships, infer new information from sets of relationships, analyze and evaluate arguments, draw inferences, and identify the causal explanations. No formal analytical or logical training is needed to do well in this test.

Some schools may also require one of the sixteen different subject exams; the subject tests are three hours. It is required of students seeking admission to a master's or doctoral level program. They are designed to measure skills and knowledge gained over a long period of time. 

Some universities consider GRE scores when awarding grants. GRE scores range from 200 - 800 points.

General Test — The score report will contain separate scores and percentile ranks for the verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections. The range of scores for each measure is from 200 to 800. If you answer no questions in a section, an NS (No Score) will be reported. 

Subject Tests — The score report will contain one total score and percentile rank for each test. The possible range of Subject Test scores is 200 to 990, although the range for any particular Subject Test is usually smaller. Subscores range from 20 to 99.   

Writing Assessment — Your score report will contain a combined score.

Your percentile ranks indicate the position of your scores relative to other students who have taken the same test in a recent 3-year period.