Study in English
TOEFL | TSE | SAT | GRE | GMAT | How to apply for a test
| Ways of payment |Advantages of the
computer-based testing | USMLE | Cambridge
Examinations - CAE, CPE | International
English Language Testing System
Study in French
Diplôme approfondi de langue francaise (DALF)
Study in German
Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
The purpose of this computer-based test is to evaluate the English proficiency of people
whose native language is not English. Mostly the test is required by US and Canadian
universities, it is also used by institutions in other countries where English is the
language of instruction. Results of this test are valid for two years, it is approx. 4.5
hours long and consists of four sections:
*Listening Comprehension (computer-adaptive) - measures the ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America
*Structure Comprehension (computer-adaptive) - measures the ability to recognize language that is appropriate for standard written English
*Reading Comprehension (linear) - measures the ability to understand non-technical reading matter
*Test of Written English (TWE) - measures the ability to write in English on an assigned topic. Candidates will compose an essay in English, which they may either hand-write or type on the computer
Scoring and Reporting Test Results:
Immediately following the test, students will have the option to view their scores on
the computer screen (the essay will not have yet been read and rated); after viewing the
scores students may choose up to four institutions (universities) as score recipients, at
no extra charge. The scores will be mailed approx. two weeks after the test date.
TSE (Test of Spoken English)
The purpose of this exam is to measure the ability of non-native speakers of English to
communicate orally in English. The TSE is not administrated as part of TOEFL, you must
apply separately for TSE .
Costs 1999-2000:
TOEFL: US$ 100
TSE: US$ 125
website: http://www.toefl.org
e-mail: toefl@ets.org
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)
Undergraduate schools require this exam from students. It is a paper-based test.
*SAT I - Reasoning Test - Three-hour, primarily multiple-choice test that measures verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities that develop over time.
*SAT II - Subject Test - One-hour, primarily multiple-choice test that measures student's knowledge of particular subjects and ability to apply that knowledge.
Costs 1999:
SAT I: US$ 38
SAT II: US$ 18 (all other subject tests: US$ 5 each)
Further information may be found on the Internet. You can also register for the test
through the Internet.
Website: http://www.collegeboard.org
GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
This test is designed to help graduate schools assess the qualifications of applicants for
graduate schools. Results of the test are valid for 5 years.
*GRE General (computer-adaptive) - measures verbal, quantitative and analytical skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. Candidates also have to type the essays. Additionally there will be two more parts of the test in future - Mathematical Reasoning Test and Writing Test. The test is approx. 4.5 hour long these days.
*GRE Subject Test (paper-based) - measures skills in a specific field of study (Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry; Computer Science; Economics; Engineering; Geology; History; Literature in English; Mathematics; Music; Physics; Psychology; Sociology. Note: The History and Sociology Subject Tests will be discontinued after April 2000). The test is approx. 2 hours and 50 minutes long. .
Costs 1999-2000:
GRE General Test: US$ 125
GRE Subject Test: US$ 150
Website: http://www.gre.org
http://www.ets.org
e-mail: gre-info@ets.org
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
This test measures general verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills that are
developed over a long period of time. It is designed to help graduate schools of business
assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. The
GMAT does not presuppose any specific knowledge of business or other specific content
areas. The test is approx. 4 hours long and consists of three sections:
*Quantitative - (computer-adaptive, 75 min) measures basic mathematical skills and understanding of elementary concepts, and the ability to reason quantitatively, solve quantitative problems, and interpret graphic data
*Verbal - (computer-adaptive, 75 min) measures the ability to understand and evaluate what is read and to recognize basic conventions of standard written English
*Analytical Writing - (linear, 2x 30 min) measures the ability to think critically and communicate complex ideas through writing
Cost 1999:
GMAT: US$ 195 (fees may vary according to the country in which the test will be
administered; you can obtain current test fee and information on other fees on the GMAT
website)
Website: http://www.gmat.org
e-mail: gmacmail@gmac.com
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TOEFL/GRE/GMAT: Admission to the test
Students can obtain the test bulletins at educational organizations or advising centers.
TEST | phone | fax | |
TOEFL | at least 2 days before the day you select | at least 7 days prior to the first day of the earlier month you select | the form must be received at least 3 weeks before the first day of the earlier month you select |
GRE, GMAT | at least 2 days before the day you select | at least 7 days before the day you select | the form must be received at least 3 weeks before the day you select |
GRE Subject – the application form can be sent only by mail according to the terms in the registration bulletin
Registration center:
CITO/Sylvan Prometric
P. O. Box 1109
6801 BC Arnhem
The Netherlands
Tel.: +31 (26) 352 15 77
Fax: +31 (26) 352 12 78
Note: Unless you receive a confirmation and invitation for a test, phone the Netherland's Registration Center at least 2 days before the test day you have selected.
Acceptable forms of payment
- VISA, MasterCard, or American Express credit card
- check, money order
- UNESCO coupons
- bank draft (certified check)
- US postal money order
Advantages of a computer-based testing
- you can choose the test-date and hour which suits you best
- immediately following the test, you will have the option to view your scores on the
computer screen (the essay will not have yet been read and rated); after viewing the
scores you may choose up to four institutions (universities) as score recipients, at no
extra charge. The scores will be mailed approx. two weeks after the test date.
- in computer-adaptive sections, questions are chosen from a very large pool of questions
that are categorised by difficulty and content. The questions are chosen by the computer
based on how you answer questions. For instance, the first question you receive in a
computer-adaptive section will be of average difficulty. The question you receive next
will be one that best fits your performance (how well you did on the previous question)
and the design of the test.
Note: You can take the test even if you have no previous computer skills. You are required to complete tutorial sections on the computer before the test begins. These sections teach the computer skills you will need for taking the test. The TOEFL Sampler may be obtained from the above mentioned website.
USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)
The test is designed to assess a physician's ability to apply knowledge, concepts, and
principles that are important in health and disease and that constitute the basis of safe
and effective patient care. It is a single examination with three Steps. Each Step is
composed of multiple-choice questions and requires two days of testing:
*USMLE STEP 1 (computer-based or paper-based) - includes test items in anatomy, behavioral sciences, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology, and physiology, as well as interdisciplinary topics, such as nutrition, genetics, and ageing. Items commonly require examinees to interpret graphic and tabular material, to identify gross and microscopic pathologic and normal specimens, and to apply basic science knowledge to clinical problems.
*USMLE STEP 2 (computer-based or paper-based) - includes test items in internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, preventive medicine and public health, psychiatry, surgery, and other areas relevant to provision of care under supervision. The majority of the test items describe clinical situations and require that you provide a diagnosis, a prognosis, an indication of underlying mechanisms of disease, or the next step in medical care, including preventive measures. Interpretation of tables and laboratory data, imaging studies, photographs of gross and microscopic pathologic specimens, and results of other diagnostic studies is frequently required.
*USMLE STEP 3 - reflects an empirically based model of generalist medical practice in the United States. Encounter frames are intended to capture the essential features of circumstances surrounding physicians' clinical activity with patients. The frames range from initial encounters with patients for non-emergency problems, to patient encounters in emergency (life-threatening) situations. Care settings include clinics, offices, telephone calls, nursing homes, hospitals, and emergency departments.
Cambridge Examinations
- these exams are held at British Councils
Certificate in Advanced English
The exam is held twice a year (June/December). It measures reading, writing, and reasoning
abilities, and includes listening and oral sections which is on the basis of an interview.
The exam consists of five tests:
*Reading (1 hour 15 minutes) - consists of four different texts. By the combination and complementary exercises measures the ability to understand reading matter
*Writing (2 hours) - two independent writing tasks (each about 250 words). The first subject of the task is specified, the second one is selected by the examinee from four subjects offered.
*English in Use (1 hour 30 minutes) - measures the knowledge of grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc.
*Listening (45 minutes) - consists of four different tests and measures the ability to understand spoken English.
*Speaking (15 minutes) - applicants are interviewed in pairs by two examiners. Subjects of conversation cover general life situations.
Certificate of Proficiency in English
The test proves a high level of knowledge of English, and follows the CAE exam. The exam
is held twice a year (June/December). It consists of five parts:
*Reading comprehension (1 hour) - measures knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, the ability to understand reading matter.
*Composition (2 hours) - applicants write two compositions on one of five offered subjects. The subject of composition may refer to recommended reading.
*Use of English (2 hours) - in the first part of this test applicants prove their knowledge of sentence-structures and their application in practice. The second part measures their ability to select information from a text and to interpret the text.
*Listening Comprehension (about 35 minutes) - measures the ability to understand colloquial English (radio news, announcements, situation dialogues, etc.).
*Interview (15 minutes) - applicants respond to the introduced materials, such as photos, pictures, texts, then debate with their examiner on subjects following from that.
International English Language Testing System
The academic version of IELTS exam is recommended for applicants to university. The test
measures ability to read, write, speak and understand English on an academic level. It
consists of four parts:
*Listening - the first two parts aim at the language used in general life situations, the other two aim at academic situations. The texts are played only once.
*Reading - the introduced texts refer to university life.
*Writing - applicants write two short essays or messages addressed to professors or well-educated public.
*Speaking - measures the ability to communicate in general life situations.
For more detailed information and application forms for the above mentioned exams contact your local branch of the British Council.
Diplôme approfondi de langue francaise (DALF)
DALF is an international exam in French. A possessor of this certificate needn't take the
compulsory language exam when applying for French universities.
Applicants for the test must have a specific language knowledge already. This will be verified by the test which consists of a writing part (measures the ability to understand reading matter and checks language knowledge - 1.5 hours long) and oral part (interview with the test commission members for 30 minutes). Graduates of bilingual secondary schools needn't take this verifying test.
The DALF test itself consists of four parts - understanding reading matter, understanding listening matter, a grammar test, and an essay on any subject.
Application forms should be sent to the cultural department of the French Embassy.
Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung
German universities usually require Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung from foreign students
(students are advised to contact the relevant university for information). Applicants must
prove their ability to understand a text of a high-level difficulty, to express themselves
in both writing and speaking, and they must show an understanding of areas of German
culture.