Undergraduate Studies
- Secondary School Diplomas/Examination Results
Most U.S. universities expect international students to have a secondary school diploma or secondary school examination results that would enable them to attend a university in their home country. This is particularly true of the most competitive universities. However, remember that there are a wide range of admission standards and acceptance rates among U.S. universities and colleges. Since the U.S. system of education places great emphasis on breadth of knowledge, it is also important that your secondary school study has included a variety of subjects such as English, mathematics, natural sciences (physics, chemistry, and/or biology), humanities or social sciences (history, geography, economics, politics, or similar subjects), and a foreign language. Universities will not usually accept international students who are younger than age 17
- Standarized Admission Tests
As part of the application process, most U.S. colleges and universities require scores from one of the U.S. standardized admissions tests. However, some colleges and universities do not require international applicants to take admissions tests, and some schools do not ask for admissions test scores from any applicant. To find specific admissions test requirements, check the university's website for admission requirement. Also note that community colleges do not usually require applicants to take standardized admissions tests.
- The SAT
The SAT is a primarily multiple-choice test that measures your critical reading, mathematical, and writing abilities. The test is divided into nine sections of varying length: three critical reading, three mathematical, three writing (one of which is a 25-minute essay), and one additional section, the equating section, which is either critical reading or mathematical. This last portion is used to ensure the same level of difficulty from year to year and does not count toward your score.
Some U.S. colleges and universities, especially those that have more competitive admissions criteria, may require or recommend one or more SAT Subject Test score for admission and/or placement purposes. Be sure to check each institution's requirements before registering for any SAT Subject Test. While some colleges specify which subject tests you must take, others leave the option up to you. In this case, take exams in your strongest areas of study.
EXAM: SAT REQUIRED FOR Applicants to most undergraduate colleges/universities CONTENT: Critical reading section: sentence completions and passage-based reading Math section: Number and operations; algebra and functions; geometry; statistics, probability, and data analysis Writing Section: multiple choice questions and student-written essay SCORE RANGE 200 - 800 for each section; total score possible is 2400 SCORE VALIDITY: 5 years More specific information about dates, test centers, and free test preparation materials is available at www.collegeboard.com EXAM: SAT Subject Tests REQUIRED FOR: Applicants to some undergraduate colleges/universities. Often just recommended. CONTENTS: Different subjects available, up to three subject tests can be taken on the same day. The Language Tests with Listening are offered in November only. SCORE RANGE: 200 - 800 for each test SCORE VALIDITY: 5 Year More specific information about SAT dates, test centers, and free test preparation materials is available at www.collegeboard.com - ACT
The ACT is a curriculum-based multiple-choice exam that measures student achievement in English, math, reading, and science reasoning. It also contains an optional writing component. Please check with the colleges and universities to which you are applying to see if they require the ACT writing component.
The ACT is administered by ACT, Inc. and is given up to five times annually at testing locations around the world. It is curriculum based, meaning it directly tests students on the subjects they learn in school. Registration deadlines are approximately 5 weeks prior to the exam, and international students register for the ACT online.
Students receive a raw score, which is the total number of correct responses, for each of the four subject areas. The score is then converted into a scaled score from 1 to 36. A composite score is then calculated by adding together the scaled scores and dividing the sum by four. The highest possible composite score is 36, and the lowest is 1. Scores take 4 to 8 weeks to reach universities.
More specific information about dates, test centers, and free test preparation materials is available at www.actstudent.org.
- The SAT
- English Language Ability
- TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) ---
The TOEFL measures the ability of non-native English speakers to communicate in an academic setting.
The TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) has four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Candidates have up to four hours to complete the test, which is administered via computer from a secure Internet-based testing network through certified testing sites.
The paper-based TOEFL (TOEFL PBT) provides TOEFL testing in areas where TOEFL iBT is not available and to supplement the TOEFL iBT test center network. The paper-based TOEFL does not include a speaking section. If you choose to take the TOEFL, but live in a country that does not offer the TOEFL iBT, you can contact ETS at toefl@ets.org to request the Test of Spoken English (TSE) to evaluate your oral proficiency.
For more information about registration, test dates, test preparation, and other issues, visit the TOEFL website at www.toefl.org or contact your nearest EducationUSA advising center.
Standardized Tests for Undergraduate Programs:
EXAM Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet-based Test (iBT)REQUIRED FOR: Applicants whose first language is not English CONTENT: English listening, speaking, writing, and reading SCORE RANGE: 0 - 120 SCORE VALIDITY: 2Years More specific information about dates, test centers, and free test preparation materials is available at www.ets.org/toefl or contact us for more information about testing at our centers - IELTS
IELTS is a paper-based test that assesses English language ability in reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
The reading and writing portions of IELTS are available in two versions: Academic and General Training. The listening and speaking modules are the same in both versions. Test takers interested in entering higher education programs or pursuing a license in the healthcare professions usually take the Academic version of the reading and writing modules. The General Training version is for test takers who need to use English daily for functional activities, secondary education, vocational training, work purposes, or immigration.
For registration information please visit the IELTS website at www.ielts.org
- TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) ---
- Useful Links
The SAT
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about.htmlThe ACT
http://www.actstudent.orgTest of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
http://www.ets.org/toeflInternational English Language Testing System (IELTS)
http://www.ielts.org
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