Exams Required to Study in Australia in 2026

If you plan to study in Australia, you will have to give entrance test. These tests are not just for English proficiency but also standardised tests based level of study. To be able to choose the best possible entrance exams to study in Australia, refer to this article.

Studying in Australia from India is not cakewalk. With multiple admission requirements, eligibility criteria per course and various entrance exams, applying in Australia becomes tedious. But, if you know your options and plan ahead, especially for entrances exams required for studying in Australia, you will not have hassles at the last minute. 

Majority of Australian universities require English proficiency proof through exam scores. Based on study level, there are some either optional or mandatory standardised exams required. To be best prepared and be able to get your CoE and Australia student visa start preparing for the entrance exams before hand.

You need to start one year before the actual deadline (almost) to be able to get that targetted score. If you are a new applicant and applying to Australian university for the first time, then you must know which entrance exams will be required to study in Australia. This is crucial so that you prepare well in time and submit them based on admission deadlines. Check out the article for more details.

Entrance Exams Required to Study in Australia from India 2026

Mandatory English Language Tests to Study in Australia

International students applying to Australian universities for study must submit English proficiency test scores. Australia is an English-speaking country, and to sustain there, it is essential to prove language proficiency. Choose any one exam out of the four options. Here are some of the ELP exams that are accepted by Australian universities:

1. IELTS Exam

The International English Language Testing System, commonly referred to as IELTS, is a widely used English language exam. IELTS exam is taken for study, work or immigration purposes. It tests you on 4 sections of Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening to test English proficiency skills. IELTS is conducted throughout the year, and you can register for IELTS through the IDP India website, which conducts the exam. The cost of IELTS exam in India is INR 18,000 for both Academic and General tests.

2. TOEFL Exam

The Test of English as a Foreign Language, commonly referred to as TOEFL, is a globally recognized English language exam. The TOEFL exam or TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) is primarily taken for study, work, or immigration purposes, especially for admission to universities in Australia. It evaluates your proficiency through sections of: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The exam is conducted throughout the year at authorized test centers, and you can register for TOEFL through the official ETS website, which administers the test. The cost of TOEFL exam in India is INR 18,000.

3. PTE Exam

The Pearson Test of English, commonly referred to as PTE Academic, is a leading computer-based English language exam. The PTE exam is taken for study, work, or immigration purposes and is fully accepted for Australian student and migration visas. It tests you on four sections - Speaking & Writing (combined) Reading, and Listening using automated AI scoring to ensure objectivity. PTE is also conducted throughout the year, and you can register for PTE through the official Pearson website, which also conducts the exam. The cost of PTE Academic exam in India is INR 18,000

4. CAE Exam

The Cambridge English: Advanced, commonly referred to as C1 Advanced or CAE, is a high-level English language exam. The CAE exam is taken for study, work, or immigration purposes and is accepted by the Australian Department of Home Affairs for visa applications. It tests you on four papers: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, reflecting your ability to communicate in demanding academic and professional environments. CAE is conducted throughout the year, and you can register through authorized Cambridge English exam centres across India. The cost of the CAE exam in India will vary depending on the specific test centre.

Minimum ELP Scores Required for Australia University Admission

Merely knowing about the English language exam is not sufficient, you must know how much you need to score as well. Here are the entrance score ranges per exam needed for admission and student visa in Australia for Indian applicants:

While these are average an expected, applicants should still check official websites or course requirements before applying to Australian universities.

Entrance Exams Required for UG Admissions in Australia

Indian applicants applying for undergraduate admissions in Australia will have to submit English proficiency tests. Apart from that, they may also be required to submit additional entrance exam scores. Check out what all entrances exams are applicable for UG admissions in Australia:

1. Optional SAT/ACT - General Courses Admission

Indian students are generally not required to submit SAT or ACT scores. They just have to submit the English language exam scores. Admission profiles of Indian students  assesed based on ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). The ATAR indicates a student's position relative to their peers, where an 80 ATAR means they performed better than 80% of the entire pool of students. Cases where applicants submit SAT or ACT:

• Applicants who have had a gap year or backlog(s) can prove their academic standing through these scores.
• In case applicants have not studied the courses at high school and are mandatorily required for admission, there also these scores will help.
• Next, when applicants need to take pathway programs because they do not fulfil the eligibility, to avoid this ACT or SAT scores may be required.

There may be other circumstances too, which must be checked. In case, there is no mandatory requirement, applicants should directly apply without these scores.

2. UCAT ANZ - UG Medical Entrance to Study in Australia

The University Clinical Aptitude Test for Australia and New Zealand universities, commonly referred to as UCAT ANZ, is a mandatory entrance exam for admission to many undergraduate medical, dental, and clinical science programs. UCAT is taken to assess cognitive abilities and professional behaviours identified by universities as essential for successful medical practitioners. It tests you on five subtests: Verbal Reasoning, Decision Making, Quantitative Reasoning, Abstract Reasoning, and Situational Judgement. 

UCAT ANZ is conducted once a year during a specific testing window (typically July to August), and you can register through the official UCAT website, which uses the Pearson VUE registration system. For students taking the test outside of Australia or New Zealand (such as in India), the cost of the UCAT exam is AUD 405 (approximately INR 22,500). Australian universities accepting UCAT scores are as follows:

• University of Adelaide
• University of Queensland
• University of Western Australia
• Monash University
• Charles Sturt University 

Based on the course - medical, dentistry or clinical, universities will require UCAT ANZ scores. Applicants should check all details before going ahead.

Entrance Exams For PG Admissions in Australia

There various postgraduate courses in Australia, offered across different study fields. Standardised tests will vary for PG science and tech, business, medical and law courses. International students can check which exam will be accpted based on their course choices:

1. Standardised Entance Exams for Australian B-Schools - GMAT/GRE/EA

If you are applying for MBA in Australia or other business courses like MIM, MS in Management or EMBA, GMAT or GRE will be required. There are some exceptions where EA or Executive Assessment Test is also accepted for just EMBA in Australia. Let us know which one to take based on this comparison table:

You must also know, that GRE exam is accepted for both business and general MS/MTech programs in Australia. Based on preference, choose whichever you feel you will be comfortable with. Also, check GRE or GMAT score requirement based on Australian B-school before applying.

2. Medical Courses' Entrance for PG Applicants

Those who complete their MBBS in Australia usually apply for a PG medical course. For medical PG in Australia after MBBS from India, applicants need to submit MCAT or GAMSAT scores. 

MCAT Exam

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, computer-based exam required for admission to medical schools in Australia, the US and Canada. Developed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), it evaluates a candidate's problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and knowledge of scientific principles. 

The exam covers four areas: biological/biochemical foundations, chemical/physical foundations, psychological/social/biological foundations, and critical analysis/reasoning (CARS). Lasting about 7.5 hours with breaks, the test is scored from 472 to 528. Due to its difficulty, the AAMC limits attempts to three per year.

GAMSAT

The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is a standardised exam used for selection into graduate-entry medical, dental, and health-related programs in Australia, the UK, and Ireland. Administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), it focuses on evaluating analytical and reasoning skills rather than rote memorisation. The exam is divided into three core sections: 

• Section I: Reasoning in Humanities and Social Sciences (62 MCQs, 100 mins).
• Section II: Written Communication (2 essays, 65 mins).
• Section III: Reasoning in Biological and Physical Sciences (75 MCQs, 150 mins), covering biology, chemistry, and physics. 

For 2026, Section II is typically delivered via remote proctoring, while Sections I and III are held at physical test centres during two annual windows in March and September. Registration for Australian candidates is approximately AUD 568.

Conclusion: Key Takeways

To study in Australia, Indian students must have both academic and English proficiency to be admitted to Australian universities. All international students are typically required to take English-language tests, such as IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. In addition to the above, for undergraduate as well as postgraduate courses, the students may need to take additional tests depending on the course they want to pursue, such as GRE, GMAT, or subject-specific tests. Check: IELTS v/s TOEFL v/s PTE - Which one to choose?

Proper preparation and knowledge of the requirements for taking the exam will enable you to work through the application process to increase your chances of getting admitted into your preferred program in Australia. With the right qualifications and scores in the appropriate exams, you can set out on an exciting educational journey in Australia.

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