Successful passage of the entrance exams to institutions of higher education in different countries of the world can play a decisive role in the admission process. It is not accidental that the first question of those who are going to enter the United States is the following: “Which exam do I need to pass to enter any U.S. institution?” It is impossible to give a single answer to such a general question without knowing anything about the person asking it. It depends on dozens of reasons: the type and selectivity of the chosen HIEs, financial situation, as well as the current policy regarding entrance requirements adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Let us discuss what kind of entrance exams are in the USA for high school students, how the attitude towards them is changing now, and how different universities evaluate students upon admission in general. I want to present the information in five frequently asked questions on the topic.
What are the main entrance exams in the U.S.? In the USA, there are several standardized exams (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, SAT general, ACT, SAT subjects, etc.) that are usually required by universities from students applying for undergraduate programs. The first three ones listed test the English language ability of international students while the last three ones could be essential for both domestic and international applicants assessing problem-solving and analytical skills. SAT subject tests are designed to measure knowledge in 20 different subjects from 5 areas. Both SAT general and SAT subject tests are offered in paper and pencil format, while others are computer-based tests. Interestingly, all these exams have a long history and have changed many times. SAT is the oldest exam (1926), and Duolingo is the most recent one (2011). What are other admission tests I could come across when browsing university websites, and should I consider them as well?- The exams are not easy and preparation for them requires a lot of work. The training should be systematic. It is important to practice regularly.
- Do not be surprised that preparing for them will take much longer than you expected.
- The prevailing opinion that foreigners are not able to receive high scores is not true. Every year we see students who were able to pass tests very close to maximum scores.
- Typically, international students score very high on math sections and struggle coping verbal ones.
- On the internet you will find a lot of free preparation materials, but remember that the organizations that develop these exams, as a rule, offer sample tests available at their respective websites.
- Register at the EducationUSA Russia website, fill out your profile and check off the activities you would like to attend;
- Start the self-paced online 120 Credits program for undergraduate students;
- Attend an individual consultation after seven days upon successful program completion with a designated adviser to develop a personal strategic plan to apply to U.S. colleges and universities.