Entrance exams for academic and professional programs in the United States vary depending on the level of study and field of interest. Below are the most common standardized tests required for admission to U.S. institutions:
1. Undergraduate Programs
- SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test): Widely used for admission to four year colleges and universities. It assesses reading, writing, and mathematics.
- ACT (American College Testing): An alternative to the SAT, covering English, mathematics, reading, science, and an optional writing section.
2. Graduate Programs
- GRE (Graduate Record Examination): Required for most master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, social sciences, and humanities. It measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing.
- GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test): Used for admission to business and MBA programs, evaluating analytical writing, integrated reasoning, quantitative, and verbal skills.
3. Law School
- LSAT (Law School Admission Test): Required for admission to Juris Doctor programs. It assesses reading comprehension, logical reasoning, and analytical reasoning.
4. Medical and Health Professions
- MCAT (Medical College Admission Test): Required for admission to medical schools (MD and DO programs). It covers biological and biochemical foundations, chemical and physical processes, psychological and social behavior, and critical analysis.
- DAT (Dental Admission Test): For dental school applicants.
- PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test): Though being phased out, some pharmacy programs may still consider it.
- TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) or HESI A2: Commonly required for nursing and allied health programs.
5. English Language Proficiency (for International Students)
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- Duolingo English Test: Increasingly accepted as a more accessible alternative.
Each institution sets its own score requirements and may consider other factors such as GPA, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and extracurricular activities. Prospective applicants should verify the specific entrance exam requirements of their target programs well in advance of application deadlines.