Score accepted by 7,500  institutions & agencies in over 130 countries; nearly 1 million individuals appear annually at 4,500 test centres in 165 countries; 30-40 test dates; 73 test centres in India, usually held on Saturdays & Sundays.

For more info visit: www.ets.org/toefl

Two formats: TOEFL iBT (Internet-based test) and TOEFL PBT (paper-based test)

iBT test has four sections, all given  in one day and takes about 4 ½ hours; you can retake the test as many times as you wish

ETS (a private non-profit organization also administering TOEIC® tests, GRE® General and Subject Tests and Praxis Series™ assessments

iBT fee in India ranges from US$160 to US$250 which includes examinee score report and up to 4 official score reports

Score accepted by 6000+ institutions in over 135 countries; over 1.4 million candidates appear every year at more than 500 test centres; available on 48 fixed dates a year–up to 4 times a month; 39 test centres in India, held usually on Saturdays & Thursdays.

For more info visit: www.ielts.org

Two versions: The Academic module and The General Training module

Four parts that takes 2 hours 45 minutes. Listening, Reading & Writing tests are done in one sitting while Speaking test may be on the same day or in 7 days. No limit on sitting in the tests. Usually paper-based but more centres have started the computer-based test (CB IELTS)

IELTS is jointly managed by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL)

Academic and General Training tests cost the same: around Rs. 7600 in India. It will increase to  Rs 8000 from October 1,2011

Recognised by 1780 programs in 719 institutions but largely in UK (323 institutions), USA (232) & Australia. Has 155 Test centres in 44 countries, 15 in India; exam can be scheduled.

For more info: www.pearsonpte.com/

Two formats: PTE Academic and PTE General

Computer-based test held in a single 3-hour session. Has 4-parts, Introduction is not timed but Part 1 is on Speaking & Writing (77–93 minutes); Part-2 on Reading (32-41 min); Part 3 on Listening (45-57 min) with an optional schedule break of 10 minutes 

PTE is part of Pearson and endorsed by Graduate Management Admission Council

PTE Academic costs Rs. 8000 in India; one can send free score reports to unlimited number of institutions.

Available in almost 100 countries, it is the most widely used assessment for graduate management admissions, by over 1900 graduate business schools around the world.

For more inforemation please visit: www.mba.com/

Computer-based test.

GMAT consists of four separately timed sections namely Analytical Writing Assessment, Quantitative section and the Verbal section. Quantatitive & Verbal sections are in the Computer-Adaptive Format. Total time limit is 3½ hours.

For more info: www.mba.com/

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is an organization comprising leading graduate business schools around the world and is the owner and administrator of the GMAT® exam.

Fee for GMAT exam is US$250 globally and up to five (5) GMAT Programs to receive your Official Score Report.

GMATPrep test-preparation software is available to help you prepare for the Computer-Adaptive GMAT® exam.

For each of your scores on the GMAT test (Verbal, Quantitative, Total, and Analytical Writing Assessment) you will receive a percentile rank. Total GMAT scores range from 200 to 800. Two-thirds of test takers score between 400 and 600.

GMAT score is valid for five years. Requests for GMAT rescoring must be made within six months of your test date.

More than 600,000 prospective graduate school applicants from approximately 130 countries take the GRE General Test. For information about institutions please visit: www.ets.org/gre

Computer-based test. It is offered at paper-based test centres in areas where computer-based testing is not available.

The computer-based GRE General Test was revised in August 2011.
All the three sections of Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning and  Quantitative Reasoning sections will be revised. Use of calculators would be allowed. Grading scale would be from 130 to 170. Total testing time is three hours, not including the research section.

ETS (a private non-profit organization also administering TOEIC® tests, GRE® General and Subject Tests and Praxis Series™ assessments

GRE scores are valid for 5 years. One can request a rescore up to 3 months after your test date.

Each year, SAT conducted by the College Board serves seven million students, 23,000 high schools, and 3,800 colleges.

For more info: www.sat.collegeboard.com/

Computer-based test.

The SAT tests the skills you’re learning in school: reading, writing and Math. Reading 200-800 points (70 Minutes), Math 200-800 points (70 Minutes), Writing 200-800 points (60 Minutes). Total test time: 3 hours and 45 minutes.

The College Board founded in 1900, is composed of more than 5,700 schools, colleges, universities and other educational organizations.

SAT scores are valid for 5 years. One can request a Question-and-Answer Service up to five months after your test date.