Pursuing an education abroad is no easy task. There’s much planning, studying, and expenditure involved in the process. However, there is one common part which every student might come across, and that is the standardized test. The test you give depends on the level of education you want to pursue. For example, if you are going to study a bachelor’s degree, then the SAT or ACT are the tests to consider. On the other hand, if you are considering a post graduate degree, then, you might decide between tests like the GMAT or GRE.
This post will highlight some basics of what standardized testing is, and how you can choose the right test to study for, and give you an overview of why you should give at least one of these tests.
In this blog, you will learn:
What is standardized testing?
Standardized testing has been around for a long time, and it is a method used by many colleges in the USA, Australia, UK, and Canada to assess whether students are capable enough to be a part of their institutions. Although it provides a standard benchmark on which to judge students, it has been debated that these tests exclude students with special needs or differently abled students. This has sparked a debate on whether standardized testing should be scrapped altogether. However, this is unlikely to happen.
Undergraduate education: SAT vs. ACT
If you are an undergraduate, then deciding between the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) can be confusing. And although both of them are very similar, there are some differences between the two which might help you decide which one is better for you. For example, the ACT has a science section added to it which the SAT does not.
Although the essay is optional in both tests, it is recommended that you do at least one writing assessment because it gives you a chance of a better score. In the SAT, you are not allowed to use a calculator for math questions, whereas in the ACT the use of a calculator is allowed. Although both tests have a different scoring mechanism, it equates to a similar scale and colleges can judge the student on their scores on either test. If desired, you can also give both the SAT and ACT, however, this is not necessary.
Postgraduate education: GMAT vs. GRE
While pursuing a postgraduate degree, you are likely to find yourself studying for the GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test) if you are planning to do a Master of Business Administration, the GRE (Graduate Record Exam) for a more specialized degree. No matter which test you choose, it is important to give these two after a few years of work experience. A post graduate degree can be more expensive and requires a little more studying on the part of the student as these two tests can be slightly more complicated.
In conclusion, students and families don’t generally have a very big say in what state-sanctioned tests they do or don’t need to take. That choice is up to schools, and graduate institutes. In any case, being educated about the subject can make you more knowledgeable about the tests, and understanding what the objectives of these tests are, just as their likely disadvantages, will eventually be a benefit as you explore the possibilities
If you are looking for a tutor for the best GMAT, GRE, ACT, or SAT verbal preparation, then you can always go online. However, on the other hand, you can also always fill out the contact form and get in touch! The best GMAT verbal preparation starts early, and you can always also take tuitions online.