Exams for Studying in the UK

The United Kingdom stands unmatched and dominant in the world of learning and providing education. UK universities offer a wide range of courses which makes it rank 6th among the study destinations in the world. The universities are sufficiently established in research and equipped with well-trained superior quality faculties.

Thus studying in the UK will be the best choice for students aspiring to study abroad. However, you should clear some specifically standardized exams to study in the UK and choose the university of your choice.

The preliminary exams one should clear to pursue higher studies in the UK are IELTS (International English language testing system), TOEFL (Test of English as a foreign language), GRE (graduate record examination), GMAT (graduate management admission test). You must choose the examination according to the course you select.

But keep in mind that if your application does not have the required standardized exams, your application will be rejected. For example, if you choose a course in mathematics you must write GRE or GMAT other English exams are not required and vice-versa.

Also if you are from an English speaking country, you need not write the IELTS or TOEFL exams. Let us discuss in detail about what it means by each review and their requirements to study in the United Kingdom.   

Exams to Test Your Knowledge in Language 

This is the preliminary test that you should take to be eligible to apply for UK universities. The universities in the UK want to test your language proficiency whether you can speak and understand English so that it will be useful for you during lectures and to take part in discussions. There are various standardization exams for English, among which these are most commonly expected in British universities. 

• PTE – Pearson Test English
• TOEFL – Test Of English as a Foreign Language
• UCLES – University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate
• IELTS – International English Language Testing System

For instance, if your application does not have any language proficiency certificate, the university may look for your past English academic scores, and if it is satisfactory, you might be a qualified applicant and selected to study in the university. So you must contact the university you are going to apply for clarification regarding these English eligibility exams.

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) And GRE – Graduate Record Examination 

GMAT is typically for students who want to pursue management courses in the UK. The principal motive of this exam is to evaluate the general knowledge of students in arithmetics, algebra, grammar and multi-data sources. All these tests are computer-based and need to be completed within the stipulated time given. The exam is split into four categories they are,

• Verbal
• Integrated Reasoning
• Quantitative
• Analytical Writing Assessment

GRE is for students applying for a graduate degree in UK universities. Often there is a confusion among students on which exam to write, GMAT is for management students while GRE is for students who want to pursue a graduate degree.

Like GMAT, GRE is also the evaluation of algebra, arithmetics and grammar. Here the skeletal system of the exam is divided into three categories they are,

• Analytical Writing 
• Verbal Reasoning
• Quantitative Reasoning

Apart from these preliminary standardized exams, some more exams are required based on the course you opt to study at a UK university.

Exams for Law-Related Courses

Cambridge Law Test

This is an on a paper test where you will be given an essay to read, and questions will be asked based on the theme. This is to test your thinking and reasoning ability. There is no need to have any prior law knowledge for this test.

LNAT (National Admissions Test for Law)  

This is similar to CLT where you don’t need any prior law knowledge. They will test the applicant’s skills based on reasoning, interpretation of information, and analyzing it to come out with solutions for the issues.

Exams for Mathematical Courses 

Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT)

 This test is personally administered by two top UK universities Oxford and Cambridge. This will test the applicant’s knowledge of mathematics with an on-paper quiz. Students wanting to pursue computer science and mathematical course should undertake these exams.

Test of Mathematics for University Admissions

This is to test your general mathematical reasoning ability. This test is a must for students who opt to study in universities like Lancaster University, University of Sheffield, University of Durham, University of Warwick and University of Southampton.

Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP)

The STEP test was newly created for Cambridge and Warwick universities. This will test the student’s knowledge of different streams of mathematics.

Exams for Medical Courses

BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)

 This test is mandatory for students who want to pursue in the field of dentistry, biomedical science and medicine.

Health Professions Admission Test (HPAT Ulster)

This exam is specifically for the student who opts to study health professional courses in UK universities. 

Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT)

 GAMSAT was developed by the Australian Council for Education Research (ACER) and the Consortium of Graduate Medical Schools for students who want to join the medical course in Australia, Ireland and the UK particularly.

UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT)

This test is a must for students who want to get a medical or dental degree in any of the UK universities.

There is also various Thinking Skills Assessment for universities in different parts of the UK; they are TSA Cambridge, TSA university college London, TSA oxford. So first know your requirement of which course you are going to pursue and then select the university.

After which you can research on which exam is to be written for that specific university also you must contact the university management in-person to know their requirements before applying for the university.