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Standardised tests

Home Studying in the US: essential information Standardised tests

Standardised tests

If you are planning to study in the US you will likely be required to take one or more of the common standardised tests for US college admission. You should check the admissions criteria of the college(s) you intend to apply to in order to determine which of the following test(s) you might need to take.

Fulbright New Zealand does not administer any US standardised tests, and cannot provide advice on standardised testing to the general public. Direct any questions about test registration and administration to the test company directly. If you have more detailed questions about a test, please contact Education USA.

GRE

ACT and SAT

GMAT

GRE

Graduate Record Examinations – GRE Tests – measure a students’ knowledge and skills and can help forecast a candidate’s potential for success in graduate school. There are two kinds of GRE Test – the General Test and Subject Test.

GRE test scores are used by admissions or fellowship panels to supplement undergraduate records and other qualifications for (post)graduate study. If you are applying to a graduate programme in the US then you will most likely have to sit the GRE General Test (or GMAT, if you are intending to study business or management) as part of the application process.

New Zealand Fulbright Grantees

If you are a New Zealander applying for a Fulbright Award, you may need to take a GRE or similar test in order to gain admission to your US university.

How do I know if I need to sit a GRE Test?

You must contact your proposed US university/ies directly to find out if they require you to take a GRE test. More information is available here.

ACT and SAT

The ACT and SAT tests are two standardised testing programmes widely recognised for undergraduate college admissions in the US. They measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and critical writing skills. Most colleges and universities in the United States require ACT or SAT test scores as part of their undergraduate application process.

For the SAT, visit here for more information and to register.

For the ACT, visit here for more information and to register.

GMAT

The GMAT test is required by most postgraduate business and management degree programmes, and is specifically designed to help these programmes assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. This test is often required in place of GRE test scores for relevant programmes. Visit this website for more information and to register.