Priya
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Oct 6, 2025 16:08 IST

Pursuing a bachelor’s or a master’s degree abroad is a dream for many students who work diligently to make their dreams come true. If you are planning to study abroad, the admission process will require you to take one language exam and one standardised exam. One may have to appear for different entrance exams depending on the country, course or college. This article lists all the exams required to study abroad after 12th.

Exams Required to Study Abroad for Indian Students

Universities abroad seek several subject-based or language-based test scores from their global applicants. Exams required for studying abroad vary depending on the country, university, and course. This article contains complete list of exams required to study abroad.  

Related Reads:

Table of content
  • Types of Exams Required to Study Abroad After 12th
  • Exams Required for MBA Programs Abroad
  • Exams Required to Study Abroad after 12th
  • Exams Required to Study Abroad after 10th
  • Exams Required to Study Abroad After 12th FAQs

Types of Exams Required to Study Abroad After 12th 

International students applying to foreign universities will have to take certain exams to be eligible to study in these foreign countries. Before moving on to check the list of required exams, students must understand that there are mainly two types of exams that they are required to take to show in their university application form and also in their student visa application forms. Universities generally require scores on both the subject exams and the language exams; however, only the language exam's marks, along with the university's acceptance letter, are required to be shown at the visa office.   

Read on about all mandatory exams needed to apply for studying abroad.

1. Language exams

The language exams show your English proficiency skills. You need to take either one of the language exams to get admission to any university in an English-speaking country. These are required for pursuing almost all courses i.e. undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses, certificates or diplomas (unless mentioned).

Different countries give preference to one language exam over others. A few of the top English language exams that are used by prominent study-abroad destinations:

  • IELTS: The IELTS exam is a preferred choice among Indian students for getting admission to global universities. The IELTS Score is valid for two years. The exam lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes and costs INR 18,000 for Indian students. 
  • TOEFL: The TOEFL exam is accepted globally, including colleges in the UK. Your TOEFL scores are valid for two years post the declaration of your result. The exam lasts for 116 minutes and costs INR 16,900 for Indian students.
  • PTE: The PTE exam is accepted at over 3500+ colleges and universities globally. It is the simplest English language test that can be taken in just a single sitting. Further, PTE Academic scores are valid for up to two years from the date of the exam.
  • Duolingo: The Shortest English test so far, the Duolingo English Test, also known as DET, lasts 1 hour. The exam costs only INR 6,000 and is accepted by most universities in countries like the USA and Canada.

Check:

2. Standardised Subject-based Entrance Exams for Foreign Universities

Entrance exams required for various courses in foreign universities can be different. Depending on the courses of your choice, you will be required to take only one standardised subject exam for studying abroad. So, if you are going to pursue an MBA abroad, you have to take exams for an MBA abroad like GMAT. 

Here is a table describing exam requirements according to the course of your choice:

Courses/Programs

Standardised Subject/Stream-based Tests

Preferred English Language Tests

Undergraduate

  • Engineering/Business/Management/Liberal Arts/Humanities/Social Sciences: SAT and ACT, both of which are accepted widely for US universities, while the ACT mainly acts as a substitute for the SAT exam. These tests assess the students' college readiness by testing their existing subject knowledge. 
  • Law: LNAT for UK and LSAT for many colleges and universities in the USA, Canada and some other countries too.  
  • Medicine: UCAT for UK, USMLE for USA, SAT and AP

Postgraduate

  • MBA: GMAT or GRE
  • MS in Engineering Sciences/Computer Science/Humanities/Social Sciences: GRE
  • Law (LLM): LSAT
  • Medical/Health Sciences (PhD/Residency): GRE, MCAT or USMLE
  • Finance: GRE, GMAT or CFA
  • TOEFL for US, Canada
  • IELTS or PTE for the UK, Australia, and New Zealand
  • CELPIP for Canada
  • CAE or CPE for the UK

 

3. Exams for Studying Abroad with Scholarship

Major study abroad exams are GMAT, GRE, IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, SAT, ACT and Duolingo. Universities abroad offer scholarships while offering an offer based on your performance in these exams.

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Exams Required for MBA Programs Abroad

Here is the list of exams that you need to get admitted to an MBA abroad:

Exam Purpose Countries
GMAT Primary entrance exam
USA, Europe, Asia
GRE Accepted by many B-schools as an alternative Global
IELTS / TOEFL / PTE Language proficiency All

Exams Required to Study Abroad after 12th

Students who've taken their class 12th exams in India need to take some standardised tests for visa and for studying abroad. The choice of exam depends on the course, college, and country where you want to go. But the most common ones are SAT, GMAT, GRE, IELTS and TOEFL.

Also Read: Which English Proficiency Test do Indian Students Prefer for Studying Abroad? | Poll Insights

Exams Required to Study Abroad after 10th

Various exams are available for students who wish to study abroad after taking class 10th exams. However, it is advised that students go abroad for higher studies only after the completion of their Class 12th exams. They can pursue foundational or pathway programs that help to get university admission abroad. 
Exams required to study abroad after 10th-

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  • Tests of English- Since the mother tongue of most Indian students is either Hindi or some other language, they need to take standard English exams to prove their ability to understand and communicate in the language abroad. IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo are accepted by almost all universities abroad. These exams are also considered by visa authorities for student visas and beyond.
  • Subject Tests- Some schools abroad may ask for or recommend taking exams like SSAT, Pre-ACT, PSAT or Cambridge Checkpoint / IGCSE. These tests also help to prepare for tests like the SATs and ACTs, if you plan on to get your higher education in the USA or another foreign country.   

Apart from this, many colleges and universities demand that the aspirant must be 18 years of age and a guardian should accompany the student to take his/her care.

Related articles:

This was all about the exams required for studying abroad. For more assistance on studying abroad, reach out for Shiksha's Counselling Services for free. 

Exams Required to Study Abroad After 12th FAQs

Q:   Can a student study in abroad without taking any exams?
Q:   How many exams are required to study abroad?
Q:   How do I choose a course to study abroad?
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Written by
Priya Garg
Study Abroad Expert
Priya Garg is an experienced content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-dat Read Full Bio
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Comments

(998)

Can you study Masters with 3 years BBA degree from B School which is AICTE approved?

Reply to JyotsnaJyJyotsna Sharma

is IELTS accepted for a master's in biochemistry in Canada?

Reply to sriram jaganathan

N

Nnenna

a year ago

I studied English language and Literary studies and I still want to study linguistics and Literary studies in Belgium University. Do I still need IELTS?

Reply to Nnenna

T

Tasmiya Basher

2 years ago

Please suggest a good prep center in Delhi/NCR for GMAT. Currently, I am deciding between Collzy & Princeton Review. I heard they are both good.

Reply to Tasmiya Basher

R

Rahul Singha

2 years ago

Hello Tasmiya. You can check past student reviews and make a conscious call about the GMAT prep centre you wish yo enrol in.

L

Lucky Chinna

2 years ago

wanna study a mtech , ms in abroad can anyone give me advice please.....i need some infrmation regarding this .

Reply to Lucky Chinna

R

Rahul Singha

2 years ago

Hello Lucky. I would request that you get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad counsellors for assistance with university admissions, here: https://www.shiksha.com/studyabroad/apply