IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. It covers the four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking.

IELTS has two modules: General Training and Academic. People who want to emigrate usually take the General Training module, and people who want to study abroad take the Academic module. It is essential that you check with the receiving country or institution to find out which module you need to take. It is your responsibility to choose the right module.

PURPOSE OF IELTS

If you're planning to go abroad, to undertake further study, to undertake non-academic training or work experience, to emigrate or if you simply want to test your real English ability, then IELTS, the test of real English communicative ability, will ensure that you have the right level of English for your needs.

FORMAT OF THE EXAM

Candidates are tested in listening, reading, writing and speaking. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking Modules. There is a choice between Academic and General Training in the Reading and Writing Modules. IELTS is jointly managed by: University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council, and IDP: IELTS Australia. HOE is an official partner with BC and IDP.

SCORE

The examination is entirely a paper-based Test. The test is scored on a maximum of 9 bands.

TOEFL (the Test of English as a Foreign Language) assesses the English Proficiency of people, whose native language does not happen to be English. It tests the ability to understand North AmericanEnglish

The US-based "Educational Testing Service"(ETS), develops and administers the TOEFL. ETS is responsible for setting questions, conducting the test and sending score reports to each examinee.

Most Educational Institutes in the US and Canada (approximately 2400) ask applicants for their TOEFL Scores. Institutes in other countries, where the mode and language of instruction is English, also use TOEFL. Most people take the TOEFL test as a prerequisite for admission into colleges and universities where English is used or required. In addition, many government, licensing, and certification agencies and exchange and scholarship programs use TOEFL scores to evaluate the English proficiency of people for whom English is not their native language.

The TOEFL Internet-based Test (TOEFL ibt) tests all four-language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The structure of the TOEFL ibt is as follows:

Score

The examination is entirely an Internet -based Test. The test is scored on a maximum of 120.

The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) is an English Language test designed to assess the readiness of non-native English speakers to participate in a university-level English language instruction program. Universities in USA, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, amongst others, accept PTE Academic.

It was created by Pearson Language Tests part of the Pearson PLC group and endorsed by GMAC® (Graduate Management Admission Council), owners of GMAT® (Graduate Management Admission Test).

It is a computer-based exam, which focuses on real-life English used in academic surroundings. Throughout the test, students will listen to a variety of accents and academic language encountered at higher education institutions in English speaking countries.

Test Modules

Speaking and Writing – These modules assess all communications skills of a test taker.

Test Scores are available online usually within 5 business days from taking the test. Test taker can report scores to any number of institutions for free. Selected institutions can retrieve scores online usually within 48 hours

Formerly known as Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States, which measure Verbal, mathematical and Writing skills. The SAT is owned, published and developed by the College Board, a non-profit organization in the United States and was once developed, published and scored by the ETS. The test intends to primarily aid Undergraduate Schools to assess the potential pf the applicants for advanced study. SAT determines whether or not a person is ready for college.

Eligibility

There is no fixed eligibility for taking SAT but primarily students take it when they are in Eleventh or Twelfth grade

Test Format

Score

The examination is entirely a paper-based test. The test is scored on a maximum of 2400. The SAT score alone cannot guarantee admission into a school- the test is only one of the major factors taken into consideration in the long process of an applicant.

The SAT is offered six times in a year. January, May, June, October, November, December

The Graduate Record Examination GRE® revised General Test is the most widely accepted graduate admissions test worldwide. The test measures students on verbal, quantitative and analytical writing skills. Data shows that scores on the GRE General Test accurately predicts graduate school students' grades and performance.

Many programs, especially those at large state schools, establish cut off points for GRE scores to limit the application pool, while others use GRE scores to directly determine how much financial support a student receives.

In August 2011, the GRE revised General Test replaced the GRE® General Test. Featuring the new test-taker friendly design and new questions, the revised test more closely reflects the kind of thinking a student will do in graduate or business school and demonstrates that a student is ready for graduate-level work.

Purpose of Examination

The GRE General Test is designed to provide graduate schools with a common measure for comparing the qualifications of applicants from varied backgrounds. In addition to using it as an admission criterion, schools often use GRE scores to determine a students' eligibility for merit-based grants and fellowships, as well as teaching and research assistantships.

Test centers

GRE can be taken on weekdays from Monday to Friday at Thomson Prometric Centers across the world.

Scores for the GRE® revised General Test

• Verbal : 130 – 170, in 1 point increments
• Quantitative Reasoning : 130 – 170, in 1 point increments
• list finger-list: 0 – 6, in half point increments

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer adaptive standardized test in Mathematics and the English language for measuring aptitude to succeed academically in graduate business studies. Business schools commonly use the test as one of the many selection criteria for admission into an MBA program. It is given at various locations around the world.

GMAT is a computer adaptive test (CAT) is more than just a computerized version of a paper and pencil test. In this format, the computer actually adapts to your performance as you're taking the test. Understanding how the CAT works and knowing the test-taking strategies appropriate to this particular format can have a direct, positive impact on your score.

When you begin a section on the CAT, the computer assumes you have an average score and gives you a question of medium difficulty. Though the order of difficulty will not be predictable, don't assume that you will start with the easy questions first. Always be on the lookout for answer choice traps.

As it tries to determine your final score, the computer makes large jumps in the beginning of a section to quickly find your approximate scoring level. Then it makes much smaller jumps to fine-tune your score.

Purpose of Examination

GMAT scores are used to compare the credentials of candidates from widely varying backgrounds. The exam itself measures general verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills

Scores

Total GMAT scores ranges from 200 to 800. The Verbal and Quantitative scores range between 0to60.Both scores are on a fixed scale and can be compared across all GMAT test administrations. The Verbal and Quantitative scores measure different constructs and cannot be compared to each other.

Centers

Graduate Management Admission test (GMAT) can be taken all year round at Thomson Prometric Centers GMAT is held in more than 100 countries. It's valid for 5 years