After finding out the correct language test, you will need to prove that you have a high level of required language proficiency by scoring well on the test. You should start getting yourself ready to take the exam about a year prior to the beginning of the semester. Radviser, your intelligent adviser brought you a list of some of these standardized language proficiency tests:

1. English

TOEFL

TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language and is one of the tests that you might need to take. The TOEFL tests your reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills in four different sections, each section is devoted to one skill. There are specific elements in the TOEFL geared to assess each of these skills in their own ways. Overall, your English comprehension will definitely be examined. For instance, in the Reading section, you will be asked to read three to four academic passages and then after each one, you will be asked a couple of questions based on the texts. The TOEFL is set to find out if you are ready for the rigors of academic training in an English-speaking institution. TOEFL results are valid for two years and you can ask the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the exam’s administrator, to independently send your results to schools and universities that you have applied to. For the best tips and knowing more about the TOEFL test you can go through our TOEFL page.

IELTS

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is also another widely recognized English language proficiency test. It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge English Language Assessment. IELTS also tests all four English communication skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. The IELTS speaking section is actually a recorded face-to-face interview given by a certified examiner, and it is close to the real, practical experience of talking to a native speaker. IELTS comes in two flavors, one is “Academic” which is geared for students applying for advanced studies and postgraduate degrees, and the other one is “General Training” which is for migrants who wish to prove English competence as part of their visa or employment application. For more wonderful insights into the test, visit our IELTS page.

2. French

TCF

When it comes to proving your French abilities, the Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF) is one test you dare not miss. It is administered by Centre International d’études Pédagogiques (CIEP) for the French Ministry of Education. Whether it be for personal, academic, or professional reasons, the TCF will give you a language assessment that follows the standards set forth in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

As a short aside, in 2001, a European Union Council Resolution recommended the use of CEFR as a standard system to test and validate language proficiency for the different languages of Europe. The standard levels of proficiency are as follows:

• A = Basic User (A1 and A2)
• B = Independent User (B1 and B2)
• C = Proficient User (C1 and C2)

A2 is better than A1, and having a C2 rating means that the test taker has gained fluency and precision with the language. C2 is the highest rating in this system.

TCF has both compulsory and optional components. The compulsory unit tests your listening, reading, and use of language structures. The optional test can only be taken once you have passed the compulsory test. You should take this within two years after passing the compulsory test, as this is the duration of your compulsory score’s validity. The optional component is made up of the speaking and writing sections. The speaking component is a recorded face-to-face interview with an examiner. They’ll give you a series of tasks that will elucidate your French verbal dexterity, and they may ask you to describe an experience or event, explain an idea, or discuss a complex topic. We have also got a complete guide to taking the TCF here.

3. Spanish

DELE

Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) are tests administered by Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, and adhering to the standards set forth by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This means it follows the standard taxonomy of language competency as explained above, where A1 is considered absolute beginner and C2 signifies a high level of fluency.

The DELE is similar to other language proficiency tests, having features that comprehensively gauge Spanish grammar and comprehension. But it does differ in some important aspects from the tests we have discussed so far. While other test results are valid for only a limited period of time, usually two years, the DELE is permanently valid. Another unique feature of the DELE is that you determine before the actual assessment which level of testing you would like to take. While other tests give students the same or similar test and, based on the test results, determine what competency level the student is in, the DELE makes the student choose which test to take beforehand. So, you will need to research which diploma is required by the institution to which you will be sending your results. B2 is often enough for entry into a Spanish university. But if it is a medical school you are interested in, they often require at least a C1 diploma.

4.German

TELC

The European Language Certificates (TELC) Deutsch, in partnership with the German federal government, provides a fair evaluation of your German aptitude according to the standards set forth by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Like the DELE, you will have to choose which TELC level you take. For example, when applying for a spouse visa, an A1 TELC test (the most basic one) is enough. Applying for university and medical school is a different proposition altogether.

The test has a format that is similar to that of the other tests we have discussed here. There are reading and listening comprehension sections and a language elements section, as well as sections devoted to assessing your writing and speaking skills. The oral part of TELC is a unique one, in that it may not be a one-on-one interview with an examiner. Two persons may be tested at the same time. In this case, the examiner will take the role of facilitator and mediate the conversation. Twenty minutes before the start of the oral examination, you will be given a task sheet detailing the things you and your partner will have to do.

How to Prepare for the Required Standardized Test?

If your grades are not perfect, you would still have a good chance of acceptance by getting a great score on standardized college/university tests that they asked for. Many universities/disciplines demand that all applicants take one of these standardized tests. Start studying the different tests that the college/university accepts almost a year and a half from the beginning of the semester, and pick the one that plays to your strengths, especially if you are asked to do tests focusing on a few chosen subjects. Below, you can see a list of standardized tests that students MAY need to take for admission to various colleges or universities: 

Undergraduate Programs

1. Albania

• Matura Shtetërore – Required for entry to some Albanian universities.

2. Australia

• ATAR – Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, aptitude test for school leavers, replacing UAI, ENTE and TER; Queensland currently uses the OP System, but will switch to the national ATAR system for year 10 students in 2018 (who will be scheduled to graduate from year 12 in 2020).
• STAT – Special Tertiary Admissions Test, aptitude test for non–school leavers.
• UCAT – University Clinical Aptitude Test, required for undergraduate entry to many Australian and New Zealand undergraduate-entry medical and dental schools.
• GAMSAT – Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test, required for graduate entry to many Australian graduate–entry medical and dental schools.
• International Student Admissions Test

3. Bangladesh

• University Admission Test – Undergraduate level admission test. Each University has its own admission test.
• Medical Admission Test – Undergraduate level Medical Admission Test. It is a national-level entrance examination.

4. Belize

• Caribbean Examinations Council

5. Brazil

• Vestibular – Single University entrance exam in Brazil; each University may have its own vestibular.
• Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio

6. Burma

• University Entrance Examination

7. Canada

• GED – High School Diploma Equivalent
• Diploma Exams — Only taken in Alberta

8.Chile

• Prueba de Selección Universitaria (PSU)

9. China

• National College Entrance Examination
• AST – Ameson Scholastic Test

10. Colombia

• SABER 11 Exam – Test for all undergraduate students who want to apply to a university in Colombian territory.

11. Cuba

• Prueba de Ingreso a la Universidad – Set of exams in different subject matters for all students who want to enter any university in Cuba.

12. France

• Baccalauréat (or Bac) – Test for all undergraduate students who are looking to enter a university in France.

13. Germany

• Abitur – Test for German students who want to apply to a university.

14. Greece

• Panhellenic Examinations – Subject tests for Greek students who want to apply to a university.

15. Hong Kong

Admission processes differ in institutes. For secondary school students applying for degree–level programs provided by the University Grants Committee (UGC) funded institutes, they can only apply through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS), which uses the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) and Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) as benchmark agency until the academic year 2011/12, and Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) since 2011/12.

JUPAS is not used in most non-UGC/non–degree level programs, even these institutes still use the examination results that JUPAS uses as a benchmark agency.

• Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (Last year of exam in 2011, as EAS Subsystem of JUPAS until 2011).
• Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (Last year of exam in 2013, as JUPAS benchmark until 20/12 admission).
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (The new qualification to replace the two qualifications above since 2011/12).

16. Hungary

• Érettségi (Matura) is the national school leaving exam, where school leavers take exams in 5 or more subjects, among which Hungarian Grammar and Literature, Maths, History, and one foreign language is compulsory and at least 1 other subject has to be chosen. Érettségi is divided into 2 levels. Most universities require at least one subject to be taken at a Higher Level. From 2020 onwards, students wishing to enter into higher education will be required to have 1 subject taken at a Higher Level.

17. India

• Professional courses entrance examinations
• Joint Entrance Examination – Main (JEE-Main) – Standard exam of entry to the National Institutes of Technology.
• Joint Entrance Examination – Advanced (JEE-Advanced) – Standard exam of entry to the Indian Institutes of Technology.
• Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) – Standard test of entry to the National Law Universities across India.
• National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) (NEET (UG)) – For entry into undergraduate medical education MBBS, The test is conducted at all India level.
• Joint Admission Test for M.Sc. – The Joint Admission Test for M.Sc. is a national-level entrance exam. Graduates can complete their M.Sc. or Master's from India's reputed institutes like IITs and IISc through JAM.
• JEST – Joint screening test for graduates or postgraduates who wish to pursue their master's studies or research in the field of science.

18. Indonesia

• SBMPTN – (Seleksi Bersama Masuk Perguruan Tinggi Negeri) A competitive test for undergraduate admissions in public universities in Indonesia. Students may choose one out of 3 exams: Science (Basic Test, Math, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), Social (Basic Test, Economy, Sociology, Geography, and History), or Mixed (Both of them). Each major in each university falls into a Science or Social category.
• SNMPTN – (Seleksi Nasional Masuk Perguruan Tinggi Negeri)
• SSN-ASC
• UMB – Ujian Masuk Bersama – Test for undergraduate admissions in some state and private colleges.
• SBM–PTAIN – Test for entering public Islamic universities in Indonesia.
• UTUL UGM – Gadjah Mada University entrance exam.
• SIMAK UI – University of Indonesia entrance exam.
• USM Unsri – The admission test conducted by Universitas Sriwijaya.

19. Israel

• Psychometric Entrance Test (colloquially "The Psychometry") – Required for undergraduate entry to most universities in Israel.

20. Iran

• Iranian University Entrance Exam (Konkour/Concours) – Standard means of entry to universities in Iran.

21. Ireland

• Health Professions Admissions Test (HPAT) – Undergraduate Medical Admissions Test, required for undergraduate entry to Irish Medical Schools.

22. Japan

• National Center Test for University Admissions
• Examination for Japanese University Admission – Required for entry by foreigners into many Japanese universities.

23. Malaysia

• Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, also known as Malaysia Certificate of Education.
• Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia, also known as Malaysia Higher School Certificate.

24. Mexico

• Examen de admisión al Nivel Superior del Instituto Politécnico Nacional - Admission Exam to the Higher Level of the National Polytechnic Institute.
• Examen Nacional de Ingreso a la Educación Media Superior - National Entrance Exam to the Upper–Intermediate Education, also known as EXANI–I.
• Acuerdo 286 Bachillerato (286 Baccalaureate Agreement), also known as ACREDITA–BACH. High School Diploma Equivalent.
• Examen General de Egreso de la Licenciatura (General Egress Exam of the bachelor's degree). also known as EGEL.
• Examen para Profesionales Técnicos en Enfermería (Exam for Nursing Technical Professionals), also known as EGEPT–ENFER.
• Examen General de Conocimientos y Habilidades para la Acreditación de la Licenciatura en Enseñanza del Inglés - General Knowledge and Skills Test for the Accreditation of the English Teaching bachelor's degree, also known as EGAL–EIN.

25. Nepal

• Common Management Admission Test (CMAT) – a standardized test taken by colleges to take admissions for BBA and BBM.

26. Netherlands

• Eindexamen – also known as centraal examen (central exam) – a standardized test taken by Dutch students at the end of their high school education (voortgezet onderwijs, "continued education").

27. Nigeria

• Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) – Mandatory computer–based test for all candidates (including non-Nigerians) applying to study into any Nigerian university. It is administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

28. Pakistan

• NAT-I/II – National Aptitude Test for admission in most universities and colleges of Pakistan.
• MDCAT – Medical and Dental College Admission Test for admission in public and private sector medical and dental colleges and universities.
• ECAT – Engineering College Admission Test for admission in public sector engineering college or university.
• HAT-UG – HEC Aptitude Test-Undergraduate for admission in selected government and private colleges and universities.
• LAT – HEC Law Admission Test for LLB admission in all colleges and universities.
• Many universities have their own entrance tests.

29. Poland

Universities and other institutions of higher education formerly ran their own entrance exams. Since the introduction of the "new matura" in 2005, and in particular the marking of that exam by independent examiners rather than by teachers at students' own schools, the matura now serves as the admission test for Polish students. See Polish matura.

30. Russia

• Unified State Exam (Russian: Единый государственный экзамен, ЕГЭ, tr. Yediniy gosudarstvenniy ekzamen, EGE) – every student must pass after graduation from school to enter a university or a professional college. Since 2009, EGE has been the only form of graduation examination in schools and the main form of preliminary examination in universities.
• Unified Republic Exam (Russian: Единый республиканский экзамен, ЕРЭ, tr. Yediniy respublikanskiy ekzamen, ERE; Tatar: Бердәм Республика Имтиханы, БРИ, Berdäm Respublika Imtixanı, BRI) – students who graduate in the Republic of Tatarstan can choose to pass the ERE/BRI in the Tatar language. The test is not obligatory and is accepted as an entry exam only by the Tatarstan universities, especially for the Tatar language faculties.

31. Saudi Arabia

• Qudurat and Tahseeli – by The National Center for Assessment in Higher Education AKA Qiyas.

32. Singapore

• Singapore–Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level
• Singapore–Cambridge GCE Advanced Level

33. Spain

• Pruebas de Acceso a Estudios Universitarios – Formerly called "Selectividad".

34. Sri Lanka

• GCE Advanced Level in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, A-Level is offered by governmental and non-governmental schools. The qualifications are awarded upon successful completion of examinations called Local A-Levels while most of the private schools award them upon London A-Levels. Local GCE Advanced Level qualification is offered by the Department of Examinations. Passing A-Levels is the major requirement for applying to local universities. This exam is a very competitive examination, where students have to study college 1st- and 2nd-year material and take this exam to get college admissions. The tough nature of the examination is due to the government funding all the college students. And they do not have to pay any tuition fees for college. This system in this country is based on pure talent and hard work.

35. Sweden

• Högskoleprovet – the Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test.
• PIL – Test and interview, used by the Karolinska Institute for admission to some of its study programs.

36. Switzerland

• EMS Swiss Admission Test for Medicine (Eignungstest für das Medizinstudium in der Schweiz).

37. Somalia

• Certification Exams - (Somali: Imtixaanka Shahaadiga) Standard means of entry to Somali universities.

38. South Korea

• College Scholastic Ability Test – Standard means of entry to South Korean universities and colleges.

39. Taiwan

• General Scholastic Ability Test – Standard means of entry to Taiwanese universities and colleges held in January. It consists of five subjects, namely Chinese, English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. All examinees should take the whole set of tests.
• Department Required Test – Standard means of entry to Taiwanese universities and colleges held in July. It consists of ten subjects, namely Chinese, English, Mathematics (A and B), History, Geography, Citizen and Society, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Examinees can take the tests that are required to meet the university's standards.

40. Turkey

• YGS – Standard means of entry to Turkish universities. (1st step)
• LYS – Standard means of entry to Turkish universities. (2nd step)
• YÖS – The Examination for Foreign Students for Higher Education Programs in Turkey

41. Ukraine

• External independent evaluation

42. United Kingdom

Most applicants to universities in the UK take national examinations such as A-levels or Scottish Highers. Separate admissions tests are used by a small number of universities for specific subjects (particularly Law, Mathematics, Medicine, and courses at Oxford and Cambridge). Most of these tests are administered by Cambridge University's Admissions Testing Service.

Law

• Cambridge Law Test
• LNAT – National Admissions Test for Law (Bristol, Durham, Glasgow, King's College London, Nottingham, Oxford, SOAS, UCL).

Mathematics

• MAT – Mathematics Admissions Test (Oxford, Imperial College).
• STEP – Sixth Term Examination Paper in Mathematics (Cambridge, Warwick).
• Test of Mathematics for University Admission (Durham, Lancaster).

Medicine

• BMAT – Biomedical Admissions Test (Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Imperial College, Keele, Lancaster, UCL, Cambridge, Leeds, Oxford).
• GAMSAT – Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (Cardiff; Exeter; Keele; Liverpool; Nottingham; Plymouth; St George's, University of London; Swansea).
• HPAT – Health Professions Admissions Test, currently only in use for admission into Medicine at the University of Ulster.
• UCAT – United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (Aberdeen; Birmingham; Bristol; Cardiff; Dundee; East Anglia; Edinburgh; Exeter; Glasgow; Hull York Medical School; Keele; King's College London; Leicester; Liverpool; Manchester; Newcastle; Nottingham; Plymouth; Queen Mary, University of London; Queen's, Belfast; Sheffield; Southampton; St Andrews, St George's, University of London; Warwick).

Other

• CAT – Classics Admissions Test (Oxford).
• ELAT – English Literature Admissions Test (Oxford, Cambridge).
• GAA – Geography Admissions Assessment (Cambridge)
• HAT – History Aptitude Test (Oxford).
• PAT – Physics Aptitude Test (Oxford).
• MLAT – Modern Languages Admissions Tests (Oxford).
• MML – Modern and Medieval Languages Test; provided and required by the Faculty of Modern & Medieval Languages of the University of Cambridge.
• OLAT – Oriental Languages Admissions Test (Oxford).
• TSA – Thinking Skills Assessment (Oxford, Cambridge, UCL).
• University of Oxford Philosophy Test.

43. United States

• SAT – formerly Scholastic Aptitude Test, now Scholastic Assessment Test.
  • SAT Subject Tests
• ACT – formerly American College Testing Program or American College Test.
• CLT – Classic Learning Test.
• THEA – Texas Higher Education Assessment.
• GED – HSE or High School Diploma Equivalent; GED, HiSET or TASC brand of tests, depending on the State.
• PERT – Replaced Accuplacer as the standard college placement test in Florida.

44. Vietnam

• TSĐH–CĐ – University – College Selection Examination until 2014.
• THPTQG – National High School Examination since 2015.

Postgraduate and Professional Programs

1. Australia

• GAMSAT – Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admissions Test.
• LSAT – Law School Admission Test (some Juris Doctor programs).
• IELTS (academic) – International English Language Test (for international students).

2. Bangladesh

• Postgraduate Admission Test – Each university in Bangladesh applies a different methodology to admit prospective master’s students. But usually, they have to appear in the Master’s/Postgraduate Admission Test (different subjects have different names). Some universities do not require any admission test. However, no admission test is required for Ph.D. studies.

3. Brazil

• ANPEC – Admission test for Postgraduate studies in Economics.
• ANPAD – Admission test for Postgraduate studies in Business Administration.
• POSCOMP – Admission test for Postgraduate studies in Computer Science.

4. China

• Postgraduate Admission Test – Admission test for all graduate schools in mainland China. Subjects may vary.

5. Colombia

• ECAES – Examen de Estado de Calidad de la Educación Superior.

6. India

• Business Admissions Test – Used by ISB for admissions to their Postgraduate Programme in Management for Family Businesses.
• CSIR-UGC NET – For entrance into Science Ph.D. programs and for eligibility to teach at the undergraduate level across India. Having a qualification as a lectureship from CSIR-UGC NET is compulsory for teaching across Indian colleges and universities at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• CBSE-UGC NET – Entrance examination for Ph.D. in humanities and languages across India.
• Common Admission Test (CAT) – For entry to the management programs at Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and various other business schools in India.
• Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), Joint Admission Test to M.Sc. (JAM), and Joint Management Entrance Test (JMET) – Standard means of entry to various graduate courses at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).
• Management Aptitude Test (MAT) – For admission to Master of Business Administration, Master of Management Studies, etc. programs.
• XLRI Admission Test (XAT) – For admission to the management program at Xavier Labour Relations Institute.
• Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test (GPAT) – For entry to the master programs in the pharmacy.
• National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) – For entry to seven institutes of the Indian government.
• JEST – JEST EXAM which has two phases of examination where the first phase is objective and the second phase is subjective, by getting ranked in this test the student can be admitted into affiliated universities and institutes across India, for Physics and Computer Science Ph.D. programs.

7. Mexico

• Many major universities in the country use the PAA.
• UNAM uses the COMIPEMS test.

8. Pakistan

• GAT-General – Graduate Assessment Test, for admission in M.S./M.Phil. programs.
• GAT-Subject – Graduate Assessment Test, for admission in Ph.D. programs.

9. Turkey

• TUS – Graduate Medical Schools Admissions Test.
• ALES – Academic Personnel and Postgraduate Education Entrance Examination.

10. United States and Canada

• MAT - Miller Analogies Test
• GRE - Graduate Record Examination
• GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test
• MCAT - Medical College Admission Test
• DAT - Dental Admission Test (United States)
• DAT - Dental Aptitude Test (Canada)
• OAT - Optometry Admission Test
• PCAT - Pharmacy College Admission Test
• TEAS - Test of Essential Academic Skills
• AHPAT - Allied Health Professions Admission Test
• LSAT - Law School Admission Test 

What Is Next?

Radviser's prior goal is to accompany you through this stressful and rough journey and help you deal with it properly. Go through our comprehensive Library to find out more on this subject.