What is the difference between GRE, TOEFL, IELTS and GMAT?
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TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, and GMAT are all standardized tests used for college admission, detailed information regarding these exams is mentioned below:
TOEFL: The Test of English as a Foreign Language is a standardized test that is used to know the English language proficiency of non-English speakers. TOEFL exam is taken by students wishing to enroll in English-speaking universities abroad. TOEFL scores are accepted by more than 11,000 universities in more than 190 countries.
IELTS: The International English Language Testing System is an English proficiency test, it checks your ability to understand and communicate in English. Many universities around the world require international students to have a valid IELTS score for admission to universities to study abroad.
GRE (Graduate Record Examination): This is a general exam required for many Master's programmes especially in humanities, social sciences, and sciences. GRE scores are also applicable for admission to some PhD programmes. GRE test checks your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills.
GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test): This is specifically required for admission to MBA courses. GMAT test assess analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, integrated reasoning, and verbal reasoning skills, but with a focus on business applications.
Key differences: TOEFL, IELTS, GRE & GMAT
Feature |
TOEFL & IELTS |
GRE & GMAT |
Purpose |
Assess English proficiency |
Assess readiness for graduate studies |
Required for |
Many universities for international students |
Master's & PhD programmes (GRE), MBA programs (GMAT) |
Specific skills tested |
Reading, listening, speaking, writing |
Verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, critical thinking (GRE), similarly GMAT accesses a candidate's abilities but with a business focus. |
GRE, TOFEL, IELTS, and GMAT are standardized tests used for different purposes and are required for different academic and professional pursuits.
GRE:
It is a computer based test (also available in a paper based format), that is scored on a scale of 130 - 170 for verbal and Quantitative reasoning sections and 0-6 for analytical writing section. Which is primarily used for admission into masters and PhD programs.
TOFEL:
It is a computer based test and paper based test in some regions, that evaluates the English proficiency of non native English speakers looking to study at English speaking universities. It is scored on a scale of 0 - 120.
IELTS:
It is available in 2 formats, academic and general training. It's purpose is same as TOFEL, and it is scored on the scale of 0-9 for each section, as well as overall score band.
GMAT:
it is a computer adaptive test, it assesses analytical writing, integrated reasoning, Quantitative reasoning and verbal reasoning skills. It is scored on the scale of 200-800 for Quantitative and verbal sections, while the integrated reasoning and analytical writing sections are scored separately.
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