What exam do you require to clear to work or study abroad? IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or some other? 

Well, if you are planning to move abroad for higher studies or a job, you will be required to clear certain exams. There are many different exams for foreign study or jobs. It depends on the country you wish to go to, and your qualifications. Some of the common and recognized exams are IELTS, SAT, GRE, TOEFL, SAT, GMAT, and so on. In this article, we will see some common reasons for going abroad and the criteria for the above-mentioned exams.

Why do people migrate abroad? 

Let us first understand why people migrate to different foreign countries for their study or job?

Moving abroad is a dream of many Indians. People from all over India, especially from the states of Gujarat, Punjab and Kerala, migrate to foreign countries for higher education or work.

Here are some reasons why you might like go abroad.

  • Live on one’s  terms 

Indians tend to rally behind their parents in every decision. Even grown-up individuals depend on their parents. Staying abroad makes you self-dependent as well as teaches you decision-making abilities.

  • Traditional reasons 

Living abroad is a dream come true for many individuals. In fact, in many families, it is a tradition–at least one member of the family should go abroad to study. You might continue that tradition.

  • Better employment opportunities 

You get many employment opportunities while living abroad. Many countries welcome educated individuals from India to work in their countries. The demand for skilled doctors, engineers, IT professionals, is increasing day by day.

  • Superior standard of education 

If you study overseas in countries like the UK, USA, Australia, you will understand and believe that the standard of education is very high. This is the main reason why many students migrate to foreign countries. 

  • Excellent standard of living 

Many move abroad because they love the standard of living in those countries. In the future, this might increase their standard of living back in their hometown. Many families even prefer to marry their daughters to people who have studied or stayed abroad. If you go abroad, you will have a chance to compare how people live in different places. Your decisions will be based on your personal, first-hand experience and knowledge. 

Which exams do you have to clear to go abroad? 

In this next section, we will learn about the exams one needs to clear to study abroad

As said earlier, depending on which country you are planning to go to or for which course you are going, you need to take that particular exam. All these exams are grading-based. The higher grade point indicates that your good command of the English language is good. Here is the list of different exams and their criteria.

The first set of exams is the most common–Language Tests. It is important to know your English language skills before you take any test. There is an IELTS coaching centre in Surat named Fluentlingua that gives you a detailed scan of your overall reading, writing and communication skills. Getting the required score on these tests is crucial for you to get a visa. Different countries prefer different language exams. For instance,

  • IELTS

If you are planning to go to the UK, Australia or New Zealand, then you need to take the IELTS test. However, there are two different modules–Academic and General. The IELTS Academic is for admission to a university, and the IELTS General is for those who want to work and/ or settle in the UK.

  • TOEFL

For US and Canada, the preferred language exam is TOEFL. 

  • PTE , CAE and CPE

PTE is accepted in most universities in the US and the UK whereas CAE and CPE are acceptable in British colleges.

  • CELPIP

CELPIP is for going to Canada.

Depending on which course you are planning to take and where, you need to take the English language test, and an entrance test, if there is any. Language tests will remain more or less the same. Here are some more examples of tests to study abroad

  • If you are planning to go for an undergraduate program, you need to take SAT or ACT as an entrance exam.
  • If you are going to study law, you need to take the LSAT entrance test. 
  • MCAT is required for medical programs.
  • GMAT and GRE for MBA.
  • For MS, you are required to take GRE
  • For certificate and diploma courses, there are no entrance exams; you only need to take the English language tests.

Which exam should one take to work abroad? 

Apart from education, if you are planning to work abroad you are required to take English language tests so as to get a visa. IELTS is the common exam used if you want to get a job abroad, especially in the UK.

It is equally important to have complete know-how about work permits. Similarly,  as per the country you choose, the organization may ask you to get a certificate or diploma in a particular language. 

On the other hand, there are some countries that do not have prescribed exams for getting a job abroad other than IELTS. You only need to be well-versed in the English language so that you don’t face any communication barriers.

Irrespective of whether you want to go for a job or study abroad, you can get in touch with Dr Dharmendra Sheth who heads Fluentlingua. He gives premium IELTS classes in Surat. He has a doctorate in English and vast experience teaching students in Surat. He has played a vital role in shaping the careers of a number of students and helping them clear language-related exams. 

Hope you liked the blog. Please give your valuable feedback in the comment section below. 

Sylvester Alvares

Spoken English in Surat blog writer Sylvester Alvares