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Overseas Education and The Qualifying Tests

Recently   spectacular growth has been witnessing in the overseas education sector in the country. Global village concept is acquiring momentum in this sector. Overseas education market has changed beyond belief. Large number of universities and schools from different countries are considering India as a potential recruitment center. Apart from UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zeeland, Ireland, and Switzerland, even countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Russia, China and Italy started recruiting students from the country.

Even though the basic objective of education is to attain knowledge, develop skills and attitudinal changes, the main goal is to acquire a better job. Overseas education has already been considered as the pre requisite for getting better career. Selecting the right place or right country for study abroad is really a difficult task. Some of the key questions like where should I go? Which course is best for me? How do I process every thing? Often confront every aspirant.

Overseas education has got so many advantages. Academic excellence, Global edge in faculty and students, better facilities, resources and faculty, variety of options, flexible curricula, cutting edge technology, hands on training, better support services for international students, financial assistance, challenging research opportunities and adaptation to different social environment are some of the major advantages.
Good academic merit, individual capabilities including analytical skills, suitability to course and college and proficiency in English language need more consideration before you proceed for overseas education. 

Proficiency in English language is one of the major pre-requisites for overseas education. Different universities assess the English language proficiency of international applicants through different tests. These tests are considered mandatory by most of the foreign universities.  Some of the major English language tests are as follows.

1. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
This test is required for international students whose mother tongue is not English. So applicants are required to demonstrate their reading, writing and understanding of English language by taking the TOEFL before they are considered for admission in most of the institutions worldwide. This multiple-choice format internet based test consists of four sections like listening, structure, reading and writing.  TOEFL is considered mandatory by most of the U.S universities. 
2. IELTS (International English Language testing System)
This test is widely recognized as a English language requirement test for higher education in United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, Canada, New Zealand and North America. IELTS tests ability to read, write, speak and listen in academic or general training contexts. IELTS is managed and developed by University of Cambridge Local Examinations syndicate, British Council and IDP education Australia. The test includes listening, academic reading, general training reading, academic writing, general training writing and speaking. 

3. TSE (Test of Spoken English)
The test of spoken English is conducted to measure the ability of non-native speakers of English to communicate orally in English. Applicants at the graduate level who are seeking financial aid are required to complete TSE. It may be completed on the same day of Writing TOEFL.  It is conducted 12 times a year throughout the world. TSE has two divisions. TSE-A and TSE-B. TSE-A is required for teaching and research assistantship in US universities or departments. TSE-B is required for certification in professional or occupational field.  

4. TWE (Test of written English)
TWE assesses one’s ability to write and express English. If an US university wants TWE it has to be written with TOEFL as a half –an-hour essay test.

5. ELICOS (English Language intensive courses for Overseas students)
Majority of international students entering Australia require additional instruction in English. Intensive courses are available in the campus.

6. BULATS (Business Language Testing System)
It is a computer-based assessment offered by British Council that gives reliable information on employee’s language ability. BULATS is an independent testing method linked only to internationally established levels of achievement and not to any language course or school. Candidates can be tested at any time, resulting in minimal disruption to work. Test is available in English, French, German and Spanish.
7. BEC (Business English Certificate)
BEC is designed to test English language ability in typical work situations that is offered by British Council. It has three exams; BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage and BEC Higher.  
          
Tests for Graduate Studies
GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) : GRE is required for students enrolling for a masters or doctoral programme in arts, science and engineering fields in USA.It has two independent tests- GRE General and GRE Subject.
GRE General-US universities require this test as part of their entrance requirements.       It is a computer-based test. IT consists of Verbal, Quantitative and analytical writing tests.
GRE Subject tests are available in sixteen different subjects- Biochemistry, Cell and molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Education, Engineering, Geology, History, English literature, Mathematics, Music, physics, political science, Psychology and Sociology. 
  

Exams  Maximum   Score

TOEFL -iBT
120

TWE
1-6 Scale

TSE
300

GRE General
1600 / 2400

GRE Subject
800
  

Score validity
Period

TOEFL
Two years

GRE
Five Years
 
Students applying for Graduate and Postgraduate programmes in UK require IELTS and in USA require GRE and TOEFL with better score results. Aspiring students should start planning one-year advance to complete the needed procedures. UK and US Universities consider degrees accredited and recognized by Govt of India.

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