Exams Required to Study in USA

There is no single national entrance exam required to study in the USA. The exams you may need depend on your degree level, university, programme and educational background. International students may need an English proficiency test such as TOEFL, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test. Some undergraduate universities require or consider SAT or ACT scores, while some master’s and PhD programmes use the GRE. Business schools may require or accept the GMAT or GRE.

A university can also be test-optional, meaning SAT, ACT, GRE or another admissions test may not be compulsory for that particular application. Testing is only one part of the wider requirements to study in the USA for international students. Students planning their full education pathway can also review Study in the USA.

Last reviewed: 12 September 2026. Testing policies can change by university, department and admission cycle. Always check the current requirements for your exact programme before registering for an exam.

Is There One Entrance Exam for Universities in the USA?

No. The United States does not have one national university entrance exam that every student must pass. Individual universities and academic programmes decide which tests they require, accept or waive.

This is why two students applying to similar degrees can have different testing requirements. One undergraduate university may require the SAT or ACT, while another may be test-optional. One master’s programme may require the GRE, while another department at the same university may not consider it at all.

English proficiency works in the same way. Universities decide which tests they accept, whether an exemption is available and what minimum score is required.

For an F-1 visa interview, a consular officer may ask for evidence of academic preparation, including standardized test scores required by your U.S. school. That is different from the U.S. government imposing one national university entrance examination. The immigration process is explained separately in the USA Study Visa Requirements guide.

Which English Test Is Required to Study in the USA?

There is no single English test required by every U.S. university. International applicants commonly use the TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic or Duolingo English Test, but acceptance rules and minimum scores are set by each institution or programme.

Some students can also receive an English-language exemption based on previous education, citizenship, curriculum or other university-specific criteria. Applicants exploring those routes can read Study in the USA Without IELTS.

TOEFL iBT

TOEFL remains widely used for U.S. university admission. Since 21 January 2026, TOEFL iBT score reports use a new 1–6 scale in half-point increments for the overall and section scores.

During a two-year transition period, ETS also reports a comparable overall score on the previous 0–120 scale. Universities continue to set their own minimum overall and section-score requirements, so there is no national TOEFL cutoff for studying in the USA.

IELTS Academic

IELTS Academic reports scores on the 0–9 band scale. U.S. universities may set both an overall minimum and individual minimums for Reading, Writing, Listening or Speaking.

There is no universal IELTS score required to study in the United States. Applicants should use the minimum overall and section scores published by the exact university or academic programme.

Duolingo English Test

The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency option accepted by many institutions. It currently costs $70 for one test.

Acceptance is not universal, and individual graduate departments can have different policies from the university’s undergraduate admissions office. Check every intended programme before choosing DET solely because it is convenient or less expensive.

Can SAT or ACT Replace TOEFL or IELTS?

Sometimes, but only if the university explicitly allows it. SAT and ACT are primarily undergraduate admissions tests, while TOEFL, IELTS and DET are English proficiency assessments.

For example, some universities allow qualifying SAT or ACT results to help meet their English proficiency rules. Others continue to require a dedicated English test unless the applicant qualifies for an exemption. There is no national rule under which SAT or ACT automatically replaces TOEFL or IELTS.

Which Exams Are Required for a Bachelor’s Degree in the USA?

For undergraduate admission, the main standardized tests are the SAT and ACT. Neither is required by every U.S. university.

The testing landscape remains mixed for 2026–2027. Some universities require standardized testing. Others allow students to apply without SAT or ACT scores.

For example, Harvard currently requires SAT or ACT for first-year applicants, subject to limited alternatives when those tests are genuinely inaccessible. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is currently test-optional for first-year applicants, including international students.

That difference illustrates why there is no correct answer such as “all international students must take the SAT.” The requirement comes from the university.

SAT

The SAT is a digital undergraduate admissions test covering Reading and Writing plus Math. Universities may require it, accept it optionally or not use it for admission.

Students applying directly after secondary school can find the more detailed SAT and ACT pathway in US School Entrance Tests After 12th.

ACT

The current ACT has three core sections: English, Math and Reading. Science and Writing are optional add-ons and do not determine the Composite score.

Whether you should take SAT, ACT or neither depends on the policy of your intended universities rather than a nationwide U.S. rule.

What About AP Exams?

AP exams are not a standard entrance requirement for all international students. Strong AP results can support an application and may lead to credit or placement at some universities, but each institution has its own policy.

Academic results remain important regardless of test policy. See GPA Requirements to Study in the USA for the role of school and university grades.

Which Exams Are Required for a Master’s Degree in the USA?

There is no universal examination required for every master’s degree in the USA. The GRE is the most common general graduate admissions test, while business programmes may use the GMAT or GRE.

Graduate testing is especially programme-specific. Two departments at the same university can have completely different requirements.

GRE General Test

The GRE General Test measures Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. A programme may classify the GRE as required, optional, recommended or not accepted.

Applicants should therefore check the admissions page for the exact department and entry term before registering. The current GRE General Test fee is $249 in most locations for registrations completed on or after 1 August 2026. India and China have separate pricing arrangements.

Do PhD Applicants Need the GRE?

Not always. U.S. PhD programmes set their own GRE policies, and many departments no longer use the test while others still require or consider it. Applicants should also check whether test scores affect funding or fellowship consideration separately from basic admission.

For the wider doctoral application process, see PhD in the USA for International Students.

GMAT for MBA and Graduate Business Programmes

The GMAT is designed for graduate management education. It contains Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights, and its total score scale runs from 205 to 805.

Some MBA and business master’s programmes require GMAT or GRE scores, while others offer waivers or test-optional routes. GMAT pricing also varies by location. In the United States, the current published price is $275 at a test centre and $300 online.

Professional Entrance Exams in the USA

Some professional degrees use specialised entrance tests. These are not general entrance exams for studying in the United States and normally apply only to specific professional pathways.

• LSAT: commonly used for Juris Doctor law-school admission.
• MCAT: used for medical-school admission.
• DAT: used by many dental schools.
• OAT: used by optometry programmes.

These professional programmes also have prerequisite education requirements, so a student finishing secondary school should not assume that MCAT, LSAT, DAT or OAT is the immediate next exam for ordinary undergraduate admission.

How Much Do U.S. Admission Exams Cost in 2026–2027?

Exam fees are budgeting figures, not admission requirements. A higher-priced test is not automatically more important, and you should register only for exams required or accepted by your intended universities and programmes.

Test fees can change and some depend on the country, test centre, taxes or optional services. The figures below reflect published prices available on 12 September 2026.

Fees are subject to change. Optional services, score reports, rescheduling, cancellation and local taxes can increase the final cost.

How Long Are U.S. Admission Test Scores Valid?

Score validity matters because taking a test too early can create problems by the time you apply.

• TOEFL: scores remain valid for 2 years after the test date.
• GRE: scores are reportable for 5 years after the test date.
• GMAT: standard scores are valid for 5 years.
• SAT and ACT: universities can set their own rules about how recent a score should be.
• Professional exams: law, medical and other professional schools can set programme-specific score-age rules.

IELTS, DET and other English-score recency should also be checked against the university’s own admission rules rather than assumed from another institution’s policy.

When Should You Take Admission Exams for 2027?

Start with your university shortlist rather than registering for several tests first. For each programme, record which exam is required, the minimum or recommended score, the latest acceptable test date and how scores must be submitted.

A practical sequence is:

1. Build your university shortlist. Identify whether each programme is test-required, test-optional or does not use the exam.
2. Compare accepted English tests. Choose one test accepted by all or most of your target programmes.
3. Check application deadlines. Leave enough time for score release and official score delivery.
4. Allow time for a retake if needed. Do not schedule the first attempt immediately before the final deadline.
5. Confirm score validity. Avoid taking a language test so early that it expires before enrolment or application review.

Spring, Summer and Fall admission timelines can differ. Use the USA Study Intakes guide to coordinate testing with your intended start term.

How SnappStudy Supports International Applicants

SnappStudy supports international students with the wider pre-arrival study process, including academic profile assessment, country and institution selection, admission-document guidance and relevant F-1 or J-1 guidance.

Testing requirements should be identified only after the intended universities and programmes are known. One applicant may need SAT plus an English test, while another may need only an English test, GRE or no standardized admissions test at all.

Final testing, admission and visa decisions remain with the relevant testing organisations, universities and U.S. authorities. No exam score can guarantee admission or visa approval.

Exams Required to Study in the USA: FAQs

What Exams Are Required to Study in the USA?

There is no single exam required for every student. Depending on the university and degree level, you may need TOEFL, IELTS or DET for English proficiency, SAT or ACT for undergraduate admission, GRE for some master’s or PhD programmes, or GMAT or GRE for some graduate business programmes.

Is There One Entrance Exam in the USA?

No. The United States does not have one national university entrance exam. Universities and academic programmes set their own testing policies.

Is SAT or ACT Required to Study in the USA?

Not at every university. Some U.S. institutions require SAT or ACT scores, while others are test-optional or use different testing policies. International applicants must check the policy for the exact entry year.

Which English Test Is Required for the USA?

There is no single national English test requirement. Universities commonly accept TOEFL, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test, but accepted exams, minimum scores and exemptions vary by institution and programme.

Do I Need the GRE for a Master’s Degree in the USA?

Not necessarily. Some master’s programmes require the GRE, some make it optional and others do not accept or consider it. Check the current departmental admissions requirements before registering.

What Exams Are Required to Study in the USA After 12th?

After secondary school, an international applicant may need an English proficiency test and may also need SAT or ACT scores depending on the university. There is no national exam required by every U.S. college.

Are There Board Exams for University Admission in the USA?

There is no single national board exam for general university admission in the United States. Universities evaluate applicants using their own academic, testing and application requirements. Professional licensing examinations are separate from ordinary university admission.

Are Admission Exams Required for an F-1 Visa?

The U.S. government does not impose SAT, ACT, GRE or a specific English test as a separate national F-1 visa requirement. During a visa application, a consular officer may request standardized test scores that were required by the U.S. school as evidence of academic preparation.

Disclaimer: University testing policies, score requirements, exam fees and immigration procedures can change. Confirm the current requirements with the exact university or programme and the relevant testing organisation before paying for or taking an exam.