April 4th, 2022
To study at an American university, generally, you'll need to demonstrate your academic level. We say generally because although the vast majority of universities will require the American college entrance exam (SAT), it won't always be a mandatory requirement; it depends on the type of university you're applying to and its admission criteria. Typically, the more prestigious and sought-after the university, the stricter the admission requirements. Therefore, the American college entrance exam is called the SAT: Scholastic Assessment Test, and it's an exam that both American and international students who want to attend an American university will probably need to take.
The exam is structured as follows:
200-800POINTS
Reading (65 minutes, 52 multiple-choice questions)
Writing (35 minutes, 44 multiple-choice questions)
200-800POINTS
Maths (1st SECTION (WITHOUT calculator): 25 minutes, 20 questions. 2nd SECTION (WITH calculator): 55 minutes, 38 questions)
If you want to learn more about the exam structure, click here to download real exams!
On the other hand, if you're not an American citizen or English isn't the official language of your country/school, you'll need to take an English proficiency exam. Usually, there are different options available, which is good because you can choose the exam that suits you best. But in this post, we're going to talk about two of them:
Starting with TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), this exam has a maximum score of 120 points (internet-based test). It doesn't exist the approved or failed; every university will ask you to have a specific grade. TOEFL is the most common known English Proficiency Exam, it last 3hours and a half and it's structured in 4 sections:,
Reading: This section consists of reading comprehension passages comprising around 4 to 6 academic texts, each approximately 700 words long. Each text is followed by multiple-choice questions.
Listening: This section involves listening comprehension of 6 conversations or narrations, each lasting approximately 3 to 5 minutes. After listening to each one, you'll be asked multiple-choice questions.
Speaking: This section is an English speaking test, divided into two parts. The first part involves expressing opinions on familiar topics (twice). Basically, you'll be asked to give your opinion on something. In the second part, there are 4 audio clips that you'll listen to, and then you'll answer the question that was asked.
Writing: This is the last section of the exam and it will require you to write two texts: in one, you'll need to read and listen to a topic and then discuss it. In the second one, you'll have to write about a specific topic mentioned in the prompt.
The official TOEFL website also offers the option to download and practice some sample exams. Click here to access to these exams!
Another English proficiency exam that's increasingly accepted by universities is the Duolingo English Exam. This exam is considerably quicker to complete, lasting only one hour, and can be taken from home. Results are available within 48 hours, and it's much more affordable than the TOEFL. Scores range from 10 to 160, and like the TOEFL, each university will determine the minimum required score.
This exam is adaptive, meaning the difficulty adjusts based on your performance from question to question. It covers pronunciation, writing, reading, and listening comprehension. You'll also encounter questions where you'll need to respond orally or in writing to demonstrate your speaking and writing skills.
If you're interested in this exam, you can practice for free by clicking on this link.
