Which English and academic tests do I need for studying in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany or Ireland?
IELTS and TOEFL are the common English tests across the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland, while PTE acceptance varies by country and Germany also accepts alternatives. SAT, ACT, GRE and GMAT are mostly relevant for the USA and Canada, and GRE or GMAT also appear in some German programmes.
Common English tests across these destinations are IELTS and TOEFL, with PTE acceptance varying by country and the USA also accepting DET. Academic tests such as SAT, ACT, GRE and GMAT matter most for the USA and, where required, Canada, and GRE or GMAT also appear in some German programmes. These are common examples rather than universal rules, so confirm with your university.
Common tests by country
| Country | Common English tests | Common academic tests |
|---|---|---|
| USA | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, DET | SAT or ACT, GRE, GMAT |
| UK | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE | Course or university specific |
| Canada | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE | GRE or GMAT where required |
| Australia | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE | Course specific |
| Germany | IELTS, TOEFL and accepted alternatives | GRE or GMAT in some programmes; otherwise course or university specific |
| Ireland | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE | Course specific |
Points to remember
- In the USA, SAT or ACT use has become particularly university specific.
- Graduate tests such as GRE and GMAT depend heavily on the programme, and some German programmes also ask for them.
- For medical and law programmes, the correct specialised test can be as important as an English test.
My Advice
Do not assume a test is mandatory just because it is common. Open the admissions page of each programme, note the accepted tests and score rules, and plan only those exams.
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