National Exams | CollegeGate

A Comprehensive Guide to the Most Recognized National and International College Admission Exams

This section provides detailed insights into the most widely recognized exams used for college admissions worldwide, including their purpose, format, scoring, and frequency. These exams play a crucial role in the application process for students aspiring to pursue higher education across different countries.

SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)

Purpose: College admissions in the U.S.
Format: Digital and paper versions available. Includes Reading, Writing, and Math sections (essay no longer offered).
Scoring: 400-1600 points.
Frequency: Multiple times a year.
Duration: 3 hours.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

Purpose: English proficiency test for academic admissions, migration, and employment (commonly required by universities worldwide).
Format: Computer-based or paper-based with Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections.
Scoring: 0–9 scale for each section, with an overall band score.
Frequency: Available throughout the year.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Purpose: English proficiency test for non-native speakers seeking to enroll in English-speaking universities.
Format: Computer-based (TOEFL iBT) with Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections.
Scoring: 0–120 points.
Frequency: Multiple times a year.
Duration: 3 hours.

ACT (American College Testing)

Purpose: College admissions in the U.S.
Format: Paper-based and computer-based versions. Includes English, Math, Reading, Science, and optional Writing section.
Scoring: 1–36 points.
Frequency: Several times a year.
Duration: 2 hours 55 minutes (plus 40 minutes for the optional Writing section).

GAT (General Aptitude Test)

Purpose: College admissions in Saudi Arabia.
Format: Paper-based test with sections on verbal, quantitative, and analytical reasoning.
Scoring: 0–100 points.
Frequency: Multiple times a year.
Duration: 2 hours.

SAAT (Student Admission Assessment Test)

Purpose: College admissions in Saudi Arabia.
Format: Computer-based with multiple-choice questions.
Scoring: 100 points.
Frequency: Multiple times a year.
Duration: 2 hours.

Tawjihi (General Secondary Education Certificate Examination)

Purpose: Required for university admission in Jordan.
Format: Paper-based exam with multiple subjects depending on the student's stream (Scientific, Literary, or Vocational).
Scoring: Scores are given on a scale of 0 to 100.
Frequency: Annually (usually in June and August).
Duration: Varies depending on the subject.

EmSAT (Emirates Standardized Test) – UAE

Purpose: University admission and placement test in the UAE.
Format: Computer-based; assesses Mathematics, Science, and English language skills.
Scoring: 0-1000 scale.
Frequency: Offered multiple times a year.
Duration: Varies by subject.

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)

Purpose: Graduate school admissions in the U.S. and other countries.
Format: Computer-based (paper version available in some areas), includes Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing sections.
Scoring: 260–340 points for the Verbal and Quantitative sections, and 0–6 for Analytical Writing.
Frequency: Available throughout the year.
Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes.

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

Purpose: Admissions test for MBA programs.
Format: Computer-based with sections on Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal.
Scoring: 200–800 points.
Frequency: Available throughout the year.
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes.

LSAT (Law School Admission Test)

Purpose: Admissions test for law schools, primarily in the U.S. and Canada.
Format: Computer-based with sections on Logical Reasoning, Analytical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Writing.
Scoring: 120–180 points.
Frequency: 4 times a year.
Duration: 3 hours.

MCAT (Medical College Admission Test)

Purpose: Required for admissions to medical schools in the U.S. and Canada.
Format: Computer-based, with sections on Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems, Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems, Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior, and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills.
Scoring: 472–528 points.
Frequency: Multiple times a year.
Duration: 7.5 hours.

A-Levels (Advanced Level)

Purpose: University admissions in the UK and some other countries.
Format: Paper-based exams with subject-specific assessments.
Scoring: Letter grades: A*, A, B, C, etc.
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: Varies by subject.

IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma

Purpose: International high school diploma recognized worldwide for university admissions.
Format: Exams in six subject groups and extended essay.
Scoring: 1–7 points per subject, with a maximum of 45 points.
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: 2 years (for full diploma).

Gaokao (National Higher Education Entrance Examination)

Purpose: College admissions in China.
Format: Paper-based exam with sections on Chinese, Mathematics, and a foreign language (usually English), plus a subject-specific test (science or humanities).
Scoring: Varies by province, typically out of 750.
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: 9 hours over 2–3 days.

JEE (Joint Entrance Examination)

Purpose: Admission to undergraduate engineering programs in India.
Format: Computer-based (JEE Main) and paper-based (JEE Advanced) exams.
Scoring: Varies by exam (marks calculated for JEE Advanced out of 360).
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: 3 hours per exam.

NEET (National Eligibility Entrance Test)

Purpose: Admissions for undergraduate medical courses in India.
Format: Paper-based exam in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
Scoring: 720 points.
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: 3 hours.

Baccalauréat

Purpose: University admissions in France.
Format: Paper-based exams with multiple streams (general, technological, professional).
Scoring: 0–20 scale.
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: 3–4 days, depending on the stream.

Abitur

Purpose: University admissions in Germany.
Format: Paper-based exams in subjects related to the chosen academic focus.
Scoring: 1.0–5.0 (lower is better).
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: Varies by subject.

Matura

Purpose: University admissions in Austria, Switzerland, and some other countries.
Format: Paper-based exams in multiple subjects.
Scoring: 1–5 scale.
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: Varies by subject.

-Poland (Matura Polska)

Official Website: Central Examination Board (CKE)

-Austria (Matura/Standardisierte Reifeprüfung)

Official Website: Austrian Ministry of Education

-Switzerland

Each canton in Switzerland administers the Matura exam independently. Check with your local canton’s education department.

Selectividad

Purpose: University admissions in Spain.
Format: Paper-based exam in various subjects.
Scoring: 0–10 scale.
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: 2–3 days.

-Madrid Region:
https://www.emes.es (Educational Testing Services for Madrid)

-Catalonia (Universitats):
https://universitats.gencat.cat

-Andalusia:
https://www.juntadeandalucia.es

CSAT (College Scholastic Ability Test)

Purpose: University admissions in South Korea.
Format: Paper-based exam with sections on Korean, Mathematics, English, and optional subjects (science, social studies).
Scoring: Varies, generally out of 400 points.
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: 8 hours.

ENEM (Exame Nacional do Ensino Médio)

Purpose: University admissions in Brazil.
Format: Paper-based exam in languages, humanities, science, and mathematics.
Scoring: Varies based on the exam.
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: 4 hours per day for 2 days.

HSC (Higher Secondary Certificate)

Purpose: University admissions in several countries, particularly India and Bangladesh.
Format: Paper-based exams in multiple subjects.
Scoring: Percentage-based (0–100).
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: Varies by subject.

-India: Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education.

-Bangladesh: Bangladesh Education Boards.

-Australia: NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank)

Purpose: University admissions in Australia.
Format: Calculated based on senior secondary school results.
Scoring: 0–99.95 scale.
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: Varies by student.

-New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory: University Admissions Centre (UAC)

-Victoria: Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)

-Queensland: Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC)

-South Australia and Northern Territory: South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC)

-Western Australia: Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC)

-Tasmania: University of Tasmania

Matriculation Examination

Purpose: University admissions in Finland and some other countries.
Format: Paper-based exams in various subjects.
Scoring: 0–10 scale.
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: Varies by subject.

STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia)

Purpose: University admissions in Malaysia.
Format: Paper-based exams.
Scoring: 1–9 scale.
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: Varies by subject.

SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia)

Purpose: High school diploma in Malaysia (used for university admission).
Format: Paper-based exams in multiple subjects.
Scoring: 1–9 scale.
Frequency: Annually.
Duration: Varies by subject.

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