Admissions tests are a standard requirement for entrance into most colleges and universities in the United States. These tests provide educational institutions a basic way to evaluate all candidates equally.

If you are considering attending a college or university in the United States, you will need to find out which admissions tests are required for each school that is of interest to you.

Types of Admissions Tests

There are approximately seven basic types of admissions tests that colleges and universities in the United States use for evaluating applicants.

Ø    SAT Subject Tests – this test measures your skills and abilities in a particular subject. They are generally one hour, multiple choice tests that will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge of history, chemistry, biology, or certain languages.

Ø    SAT Reasoning Tests – this test is the most widely used admissions test in the United States. This test covers basic subjects such as math, reading, and writing.

Ø    TOEFL – the Test of English as a Foreign Language is likely to be a requirement for anyone who is from a country where English is not the native language. This test measures your ability to communicate in English, particularly in a college or university environment.

Ø    GRE – the Graduate Record Examination is required by most educational institutions for admission into graduate level programs. Some colleges or universities may require that you take a GRE subject test, which will measure your knowledge about a particular subject area such as English, math, or science.

Ø    GMAT – the Graduate Management Admission Test is required by many business schools to assess applicants’ qualifications for studying specialized business or management programs.

Ø    MCAT – the Medical College Admission Test is a standard, multiple choice exam that is designed to accurately assess your writing and problem solving skills, as well as your knowledge of scientific concepts and principles. The scientific subjects that are covered include the biological and physical sciences. This test is only required for students who are planning to attend a medical school in the United States.

Questions to ask Before Test Time
Before it is time to take any admissions test, you need to make sure that you are sufficiently prepared for it. Some general questions that you should always ask prior to your testing day include:

Ø    Are you allowed to bring a calculator?
Ø    How many questions are on the test?
Ø    What is the test format (computer or paper)?
Ø    How much time will you have to complete the test?
Ø    What types of questions should you expect (multiple choice, essay, etc.)?
Ø    What types of directions are provided for each part of the test?

You will definitely want to obtain some practice and study materials well in advance of your testing date so that you can best prepare yourself for the exam that you have to take.

Study materials for most exams are available in several different formats, including CD, book, and DVD. Whatever type of study materials that you choose, make sure that there are practice tests included, as these will be of great benefit to you as you prepare for testing day.