Which Exam Is Required for Study Abroad? — The 2026 Complete Guide
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
If you’re planning to study abroad in 2026, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: which exam is required for study abroad? The short answer is: it depends — on the country, degree level, university, and even the specific program. This guide walks you through every mainstream exam you may need (English tests, academic admissions tests, professional / subject tests), why universities ask for them, country-specific differences, and a practical checklist so you can choose and schedule the right exams without wasting time or money.
I checked the latest 2025–2026 policies from official test providers and university guidance so the recommendations below reflect current practice.
Overview: exam categories you need to know
English proficiency tests — required by almost every non-English native applicant to show language ability (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, PTE).
Graduate admissions tests — standardised academic tests for grad school: GRE, GMAT (MBA), LSAT (some law schools), MCAT (medicine in the US), etc.
Undergraduate/admission tests & subject tests — SAT/ACT (US undergrad), UCAT/BMAT (UK medicine), LNAT (some UK law).
Professional / licensing exams — for regulated professions (e.g., nursing, certain engineering certs) you may need additional test scores or credentials.
Which one you need depends on the country + level + subject. Below we unpack each category and show where each test is typically required.
Which exam is required for study abroad — English proficiency (the most common requirement)
Universities worldwide require proof of English ability unless you qualify for an exemption (e.g., prior degree taught in English, MOI letter). Common tests:
IELTS (Academic) — still the most widely recognized test for study and visas; many countries and universities accept IELTS as a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for visa applications. The British Council remains a leading administrator.
TOEFL iBT — ETS’s academic test, widely accepted by North American and many global institutions; note that ETS announced a TOEFL scoring update in Jan 2026 moving to a CEFR-aligned band scale (institutions will provide details on how they interpret these bands).
Duolingo English Test (DET) — low-cost, online, with rapid results; accepted by thousands of institutions and increasingly used for late/fast admissions.
PTE Academic (Pearson) — computer-based, accepted by many universities and immigration authorities.
Practical rule:
If you’re applying to programs in the US/UK/Canada/Australia/EU, check the program page first for the accepted English tests and minimum scores. Visa requirements can sometimes mandate only specific secure tests — always confirm for your destination country.
Which exam is required for study abroad — undergraduate admissions
For bachelor’s (especially to the US), common requirements include:
SAT / ACT (some US universities — increasingly optional at many schools but still required at some institutions).
English test — IELTS/TOEFL/DET/PTE if your secondary education was not in English.
Country-specific — e.g., UK undergrad uses UCAS and may require SELT in visa cases.
If you aim for Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Nordics), many bachelor’s programs need proof of secondary credential equivalence, language test (German/French/English) and sometimes entrance interviews or foundation courses.
Which exam is required for study abroad — postgraduate admissions (masters & PhD)
GRE General Test — still widely used for many master’s and PhD programs in the US and some European universities; check departments, as many programs have become GRE-optional or removed the GRE in recent years.
GMAT — primary for MBA programs; some business schools now accept GRE in place of GMAT and several elite schools have made GRE/GMAT optional depending on the cohort. If you target an MBA, verify each program’s official requirement.
Subject tests / professional tests — certain disciplines (e.g., psychology, finance) may prefer subject GREs or professional certifications.
Tip: Many top programs at leading universities have relaxed standardized-test rules since 2020 — still, a good GRE/GMAT can strengthen an application, especially where faculty use it to compare international candidates.
Which exam is required for study abroad — country-specific notes
Below is a practical country snapshot — who typically requires what in 2026.
Country / Region | Common English tests | Common academic tests |
United States | TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE | GRE (grad), GMAT (MBA), SAT/ACT (undergrad) |
United Kingdom | IELTS (SELT for visa), TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo; CEFR level B2+ for degree-level students. | GRE increasingly optional; specialized tests (LNAT, BMAT, UCAT) for certain courses. |
Canada | IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, PTE | GRE/GMAT for postgraduate programs (varies by dept). |
Australia / NZ | IELTS (SELT), PTE, TOEFL; check Home Affairs for approved tests | GRE/GMAT for select postgrad programs. |
Germany / Netherlands / Nordic | TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo; local language tests (TestDaF, DSH, DELF) for native-taught programs. | GRE/GMAT for some MSc/PhD/business programs. |
Notes: country visa authorities sometimes require a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for visa issuance (UK/Australia). Always confirm the immigration page for the exact list and whether online tests are allowed.
H2: Which exam is required for study abroad — professional & subject tests
Certain programs and professions require extra tests:
Medicine (UK): UCAT or BMAT (for many UK medical schools).
Law (UK): LNAT for a subset of law schools.
Medicine (US): MCAT for medical school applications.
Nursing / Healthcare: professional licensing tests vary by country and may be required for registration after study.
Check the professional body and the university’s departmental page for exact requirements.
H2: Compare the major English tests (quick decision table)
Test | Mode | Result time | Why choose it |
IELTS Academic | In-person / paper or computer | ~13 days (faster on computer) | Widely accepted by universities & visa authorities. |
TOEFL iBT | Online at test centre / home edition | ~6 days | Preferred by many US institutions; ETS updated scoring in 2026 — check institutional conversion. |
Duolingo English Test | Online at home | 48–72 hours | Cheap, fast, accepted by thousands — ideal for late applications. |
PTE Academic | Computer-based test centre | 48 hours | Accepted by many universities & immigration authorities. |
H2: Practical workflow — decide which exam you need (step-by-step)
Pick target countries & programs. Always start with the specific program page (department-level rules can differ).
List accepted tests for each program. Note minimum scores and whether a test is required for the visa.
Prioritise tests that unlock the most programs. For example, IELTS + Duolingo + GRE/GMAT covers many options.
Schedule tests early — slots can fill up, and some visa processes require test proof before application.
Retake plan: allow time for one retake if needed — aim to be ready at least 3–4 months before application deadlines.
FAQ — Which exam is required for study abroad?
Q1 — Which exam is required for study abroad if I want to study in the US for a master’s?
A1 — You will usually need an English proficiency test (TOEFL/IELTS/DET/PTE) unless you have an MOI waiver; many graduate programs also request the GRE, while MBA programs commonly ask for the GMAT (though several accept GRE or have made tests optional).
Q2 — Is Duolingo accepted everywhere, so I can skip IELTS?
A2 — Duolingo is accepted by thousands of institutions and is ideal for fast applications, but not every university or visa authority accepts it. Always check the specific program page and immigration rules before assuming Duolingo suffices.
Q3 — Do visa officers require IELTS specifically?
A3 — Not necessarily. They expect proof of English ability accepted by the admitting institution — in some countries (UK, Australia) a Secure English Language Test (SELT) may be required, and accepted SELT lists differ by country. Always confirm government immigration pages for the definitive list.
Q4 — Are GRE and GMAT still required in 2026?
A4 — Many programs still use GRE/GMAT scores, but some schools have removed these requirements or made them optional. Always check program admission pages; if optional, a strong score still helps differentiate you.
Final checklist — don’t apply until you’ve done this
✅ Verify accepted English tests (program-level) and visa SELT rules.
✅ Note minimum scores and whether they’re for admission and visa.
✅ Book major tests (GRE/GMAT/TOEFL/IELTS) early — allow time to retake.
✅ If you studied in English, request an MOI letter and ask admissions for a written waiver.
✅ Keep electronic & hard copies of your test reports — visa officers sometimes ask for originals.
Call to action — official resources & where to book
TOEFL (ETS) — test info & 2026 score updates.
IELTS (British Council) — test dates & SELT guidance.
Duolingo English Test — accepted institutions list & booking.
GRE (ETS) — registration & test centers.
GMAT (MBA.com) — registration & GMAT resources.
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