Full form of IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, PTE, ACT, DET: When planning your higher studies abroad, students would often come across at least one of these tests, if not all. Commonly abbreviated by universities and colleges abroad, first-time applicants must know the full form of IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, PTE, ACT and DET.
Renowned as standardised entrance tests that prospective students, including international students, must attempt in order to enrol in their dream university or course abroad. IELTS, TOEFL, DET and other language tests are specifically designed for international students from countries where the primary language of communication is any other than English. In other words, as Indian nationals, irrespective of the language you speak at home or in public settings, you will be required to attempt English language proficiency tests, such as IELTS and TOEFL.
Meanwhile, tests such as SAT, ACT, GRE and GMAT are degree-specific tests that all students, irrespective of their nationality and language of communication, must attempt in order to enrol in their dream course abroad.
In this article, we will discuss in brief each of the popular exams required for international student admissions, including the full form of IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, PTE, ACT and DET.
Full Form of IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, PTE, ACT, DET
Let's have a quick overview of the IELTS exam full form and full form of TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT, PTE, ACT, and DET in the below-mentioned table along with their respective exam fees for Indian students:
Exam Name |
Full Form |
Exam Fees |
---|---|---|
IELTS |
International English Language Testing System |
INR 16,250 |
SAT |
N/A (Previously known as Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests) |
USD 60 + USD 43 (regional fee) |
GRE |
Graduate Record Examinations |
INR 18,771 (General Test) INR 14,500 (Subject Test) |
GMAT |
Graduate Management Admission Test |
USD 275 (Test Centre) USD 300 (Online) |
TOEFL |
Test of English as a Foreign Language |
USD 195 |
PTE |
Pearson Test of English |
INR 15900 |
ACT |
American College Testing |
USD 176.50 - 201.50 |
DET |
Duolingo English Test |
USD 49 |
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IELTS Full Form
IELTS full form is International English Language Testing System. It is one of the most popular language proficiency tests for English that students take to study abroad in popular countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the USA. The exam is appropriate for those who want to relocate to an English-speaking country.
The IELTS is a requirement for Indian students to demonstrate their understanding of the language. The exam focuses on the test taker's ability to communicate in four core English language abilities: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Aside from knowing about the IELTS exam full form, candidates must also know the three different types of IELTS exams that can be taken. These are:
IELTS Academic: This test style is appropriate for students who desire to pursue higher studies in an English-speaking nation. It is also suitable for professional registration.
IELTS General Training: It is appropriate for candidates interested in pursuing education below the degree level, such as in schools and colleges. Apart from this, IELTS General Training can also be used for work experience or job training.
IELTS UKVI: This IELTS is a government-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). The IELTS UKVI is required to demonstrate a candidate's command of the English language for UK visa and immigration purposes.
IELTS Exam Pattern
Now that we are aware of the IELTS full form in English, let us have a look at the IELTS exam pattern and what each section entails. Aspirants must note that the syllabus for all IELTS exams remains the same and only differs slightly. The table mentioned below will explain to you the exam pattern of IELTS:
Section |
Number of Questions |
Marks |
---|---|---|
4 Recordings and 40 Questions |
1 per question |
|
3 Questions |
- |
|
40 Questions |
1 per question |
|
2 Questions |
Each task is evaluated separately. Task 2 evaluation has more weight in marking than Task 1. |
SAT Full Form
Earlier, the SAT exam full form was Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests, but now, the exams acronym meaning has been dropped. Every year, about 2 million students from 170+ countries take the SAT exam, according to recent statistics.
In addition, most universities and colleges in the United States require an undergraduate applicant to submit either the SAT or ACT scores, which we shall discuss shortly. In India, the SAT is conducted 5 times a year, in March, May, August, October, and December. Furthermore, there is no limit to the number of times an applicant can take the SAT.
While there are no age restrictions, statistics show that candidates aged 17 to 19 are among are eligible to take the SAT exam. In brief, students who intend to apply for undergraduate studies abroad are required to take the SAT exam to advance to the next stage of their education.
SAT Exam Pattern
Post knowing about SAT full form, here is a brief overview of the SAT exam pattern that will help aspirants to know more about this test.
-
SAT-I (Reasoning Test): The SAT-I is a 3-hour MCQ-based examination designed to assess verbal and quantitative reasoning abilities. The SAT-I is required for the majority of universities.
-
SAT-II (Subject Test): The SAT-II is a 1-hour MCQ-based test that assesses knowledge of certain subjects as well as the ability to apply that information. Aside from the SAT-I, a few universities also require this score.
Here is an updated exam structure for SAT which aspirants should know after knowing about the SAT full form:
Section |
Number of Questions |
Duration (in mins) |
---|---|---|
52 |
65 |
|
44 |
35 |
|
20 |
25 |
|
38 |
55 |
Note: The SAT includes sections such as critical reading, mathematical ability, and writing and language section to assess the knowledge required to access and solve problems.
GRE Full Form
After knowing about the IELTS full form and SAT full form, the next test on our list to know is the GRE full form. The GRE stands for Graduate Record Examinations and is conducted by Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is majorly required by US universities and a few other countries for postgraduate level admissions and is valid for 5 years. The test offers schools a common metric for comparing the qualifications of candidates. The GRE are of two types:
-
GRE General Test: Prospective graduates and business school applicants who want to pursue degrees such as MBA, MSc, specialised master's in business, doctoral, or law degrees take the GRE General Test. It consists of questions based on the abilities and thinking required to succeed in today's competitive business school and graduate programs.
-
GRE Subject Test: The Subject test assesses your knowledge of a specific topic of study. This exam is designed for students with a strong foundation or an undergraduate degree in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology. GRE Subject test scores are used by institutions for fellowship or admissions panels to supplement your past college/education qualification and records, other qualifications, and Letters of Recommendation (LORs).
GRE Exam Pattern
After knowing about the GRE exam full form, let's also take a quick look at the GRE (General Test) exam pattern for computer-based test and paper-based tests:
GRE Computer-Based Test
Sections |
Total Number of Questions |
Total Duration (in minutes) |
---|---|---|
Verbal Reasoning |
27 (two sections) |
41 |
Quantitative Reasoning |
27 (two sections) |
47 |
Analytical Writing |
One essay task (one section) |
30 |
GRE Paper-Based Test
Sections |
Number of Questions |
Duration |
---|---|---|
25 |
35 minutes |
|
25 |
40 minutes |
|
2 |
30 minutes |
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GMAT Full Form
The GMAT full form is Graduate Management Admission Test. It is a 3-hour 7 minutes long computer adaptive test. It is one of the most common entrance exams that aspirants give to study MBA abroad in a prestigious B-school is none other than GMAT. The test measures analytical, quantitative, verbal, and writing abilities. Test takers are evaluated based on these abilities and are assigned a GMAT score between 200 and 800 in 10-point increments.
When candidates apply to business schools for MBA programmes, admissions committees use this GMAT score. GMAC administers the GMAT exam to provide business schools with consistent measurements of applicants' readiness for graduate-level academic work. The GMAT is a computer-adaptive examination, which means that the software adapts to your performance as you proceed through the exam.
As a result, the score is computed based on your skill level, i.e., the difficulty level of questions that you successfully answer rather than the number of questions that you correctly answer.
GMAT Exam Pattern
Now that you know about the GMAT exam full form, let us take a look at the below table to get an idea about the GMAT exam pattern:
Sections |
Number of Questions |
Duration |
---|---|---|
1 essay |
30 minutes |
|
12 MCQs |
30 minutes |
|
31 MCQs |
62 minutes |
|
36 MCQs |
65 minutes |
TOEFL Full Form
TOEFL full form is the Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is among the most widely accepted exams to prove English language proficiency at American and Canadian universities and other colleges across the globe. The new TOEFL iBT exam is much shorter than the earlier version making it the shortest English language proficiency exam ever. This new and shorter TOEFL iBT was introduced on July 26, 2023 onwards.
The exam evaluates international students' knowledge and comprehension of English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university contexts. ETS (Educational Testing Services) is the organisation in charge of administering the TOEFL exam. Due to the pandemic, students can now take the TOEFL exam from the comfort of their own homes, owing to the introduction of the TOEFL at Home Edition.
The TOEFL Essential Test, a shorter but equally effective version of the TOEFL test, was also issued by ETS. TOEFL is administered approximately 50 times per year, and candidates can take the test after passing the 12th-grade exam from a reputable board or university. It allows you to take the exam as many times as you want, but there must be a 12-day interval between prior and current tests.
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TOEFL Exam Pattern
Post knowing about TOEFL full form, let's now go through the TOEFL exam pattern of the new TOEFL iBT test:
Sections |
Number of Questions |
Duration |
---|---|---|
20 |
35 minutes |
|
28 |
36 minutes |
|
2 Tasks |
29 minutes |
|
4 Tasks |
16 minutes |
PTE Full Form
After knowing about the TOEFL full form, the next English Proficiency Test that is on the list is PTE. The PTE full form is Pearson Test of English exam. It is an exam undertaken by students and aspirants who aim to study/settle abroad in an English-speaking country. The PTE evaluates your overall English language ability. It tests your English speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills as a computer-based English language test to verify that you can study in an international setting. The PTE results are quickly delivered, ie, within 48 hours.
The PTE test is powered by AI technology and is intended to give quick and efficient testing solutions while minimising human bias. The PTE exam is less stressful as compared to the IELTS exam and TOEFL exam as it gets over in 2 hours. The PTE booking can be done till the last moment and is not heavy on the pocket.
There is a PTE Academic online version that can be taken from the comfort of the home and without the hassle to reach the PTE test centre. The PTE scores are accepted by more than 3,000 institutes across the world. The PTE exam is also recognised by the UK, Australia and New Zealand governments.
PTE Exam Pattern
Let's now examine the PTE exam pattern after getting to know about the PTE full form:
Sections |
Number of Segments |
Duration |
---|---|---|
Reading Section |
5 segments |
32-41 minutes |
8 segments |
45-57 minutes |
|
Speaking Section & Writing Section |
6 segments |
77-91 minutes |
ACT Full Form
Another exam on our list that most aspirants give to study abroad, especially in the USA is the ACT exam. The ACT exam full formis American College Testing. The ACT is a standardised test that analyses your college preparation and takes your scores into account during the admissions process. This is one part of determining your eligibility for admission to a college or university.
The ACT exam is divided into five sections: English, Maths, Reading, Science, and the optional Writing (essay). Students applying to undergraduate programs in the United States and Canada must take the ACT exam. The ACT exam is computer-based and is for 2 hours and 55 minutes.
The ACT exam is scored on a scale of 0-36 and a high score increases the probability to enter a prestigious university as well as receive a scholarship.
ACT Exam Pattern
After knowing about the ACT full form, the below-mentioned table will let you know about the ACT exam pattern:
Sections |
Number of Questions |
Duration |
---|---|---|
75 |
45 minutes |
|
60 |
60 minutes |
|
40 |
35 minutes |
|
ScienceSection |
40 |
35 minutes |
1 essay prompt |
30 minutes |
DET Full Form
Last but not the least on our list is the DET exam. The DET full form is Duolingo English Test. The Duolingo English Test is an English proficiency assessment designed for today's international students and institutions.
The test is available on-demand online. Students do not need to book an appointment or drive to their respective test centres. They can easily take the test from the comfort of their homes using a computer and a webcam. The test is given utilising computer adaptive technology, which means that the question difficulty is tailored to each test taker. When you submit your results, a video interview and writing sample are forwarded to a university along with your proficiency score.
The complete exam experience lasts for less than an hour. The results of the DET exam are validated within 48 hours and can be shared with an unlimited number of universities or colleges abroad.
DET Exam Pattern
Let's take a quick overview of the DET exam pattern after knowing about the DET full form, with the help of the table mentioned below:
Sections |
Duration |
---|---|
Adaptive Test - Graded Portion |
45 minutes |
Video Interview - Ungraded Portion |
10 minutes |
Note: The first 5 minutes of the test are an introductory part that walks test-takers through the setting of the Duolingo English test.
With the knowledge that you have gained regarding the full form of IELTS, SAT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, PTE, ACT and DET, and more, you should be able to better handle your study abroad applications and process. Apart from understanding what the full forms of each of the tests stand for, it is important to also understand when and where the tests are applicable.
For instance, while tests such as IELTS, TOEFL and PTE are commonly used by universities and colleges abroad to gauge a candidate’s language proficiency, visa officials of different countries also use the score to gauge the ability of the candidate to survive in the country. Moreover, visa officials may even use the GRE and GMAT scores to understand the professional prospects of the candidate and their ability to contribute to the country and its economy.
Therefore, before applying to any of the popular standardised tests, proper knowledge of the requirements of each country and university is crucial. More importantly, it is important to prepare for the tests as much as possible to improve your chances of enrolment in universities abroad. And thus, planning the entire process as early as a year before the year of admission is recommended by most study-abroad specialists.
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