About half a million students travel abroad for further studies every year. The craze for studying abroad is a shared feeling among all the candidates who aspire to study abroad as it provides quality education with ample opportunities. While the topic of students flying to other countries for higher education can be debatable, the Covid-19 impact on this was overwhelming as several students had to change their plans. 

There are several exams that candidate can take up to join a university of their will in any country, the exams are as such:  

1. GMAT 

Graduate Management Admission Test or GMAT is an entrance for admission in management schools. It evaluates the candidate's logical and critical reasoning skills along with problem-solving abilities. The examination is accepted by more than 6000 business and management courses and more than 2100 institutions and universities in various countries are within the reach of GMAT. The test's score is valid for up to 5 years, sometimes it depends on a university's validity criteria. 

There are over 29 test centers in India and the fee of taking the test is around Rs. 18300, candidates can easily access their scores online. 

A maximum of 5 times a year, this test can be taken where each test attempt must be 16 days apart.

SAT is relevant in the US, Canada and other countries for under graduation. Approximately 2 million students from 175 countries take the SAT exam each year while the test scores are valid for up to 5 years. 

2. SAT 

Scholastic Assessment Test is generally accepted for admission into under graduation courses to evaluate students' knowledge of reading, writing, and mathematics.

SAT is relevant in the US, Canada and other countries for under graduation. Approximately 2 million students from 175 countries take the SAT exam each year while the test scores are valid for up to 5 years. 

Over 13000 candidates appear to take SAT every year in India, the fee for the exam is around Rs 8500. SAT is conducted only a few times a year, generally between October- December. 

If students attain a score of at least 2100/2400 then they can get into a university or college of their will. 

3. GRE 

Graduate Record Examination or the GRE revised General Test is for candidates aspiring to graduate from business schools, for a Master's Degree, post-graduation, or MBA. Universities mainly in North America (the USA and Canada) generally need applicants to take the GRE.  

It could have an impact on admission formality and even a selection criterion for jobs as well. There are over a thousand test centers in 160 countries and the test scores are valid up to 3 years after taking the test. 

In India, the fee for taking the GRE revised General Test is approximately Rs 15500, variable to the USD exchange rate. 

Since there are no specific exam dates in India, candidates have to schedule with the closest GRE center. One specific requirement is that the applicant must have a passport to be eligible for the test. 

4. TOEFL 

Test of English as a foreign language or TOEFL is an exam generally for non-native speakers who are looking to enroll in foreign universities. It tests a candidate's English language abilities. A few immigration departments also provide residential and work visas as per the applicant's test scores. 9000 colleges in 130 countries accept TOEFL test scores, amongst the top 100 colleges in the US. 

Approximately 27 million people worldwide have taken the test. The test score is valid for up to 2 years. The fee for taking the test is Rs 14,000 in India. An applicant needs to check the score requirements of the universities that the candidate is applying to. TOEFL test is a must even if the candidates have taken other tests like GRE or SAT in some countries.  

5. IELTS 

International English Language Testing System or IELTS is a test that is taken to assess a candidate's language potential in countries where English is the main form of communication. In countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, IELTS test scores are acknowledged by their governments for immigration applications. 

The exam is acknowledged by at least 9000 institutions all over the world including educational authorities, professional bodies, employers and immigration authorities. Candidates can take the test in over 140 countries across a thousand different test locations. 

The validity of the test score is up to 2 years and the fee for taking the test in India is around Rs 14,000. The Council of British offers the IELTS test in 42 locations in India. 

The candidate can choose any of the above exams according to what is more suitable in terms of budget, logical reasoning and English language capabilities. Based on the candidate's capabilities, choice of destination and budget can choose the appropriate entrance test.