Graduate Record Examination: General Test

Description

The GRE is required of almost all students who are applying for admission to graduate programs in the United States. Whether you wish to pursue a master’s degree in English Literature, or a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, the GRE will most likely be required. The GRE measures your verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills but does not presume a background in any specific area. Test duration is approximately four hours and consists of the following four sections:

1. Analytical Writing (2 typed essays).
2. Quantitative section.
3. Verbal section.
4. Unidentified verbal OR math section that does not count towards your final score.

If you will be taking the GRE after August 2007, there may be changes in the format of the test. Check the ETS website for updates and information.

Test Scores

Test takers receive three separate scores on the GRE.
1. Analytical Writing score, ranging from 0-6.
2. Quantitative score, ranging from 200-800.
3. Verbal score, ranging from 200-800.

While there are no passing or failing scores, many graduate programs will require a minimum combined score (verbal and quantitative) of 1000 for admission. Competitive programs usually require much higher scores.

Score Reports

On the day of the test, you may identify up to four schools that should receive official score reports on your behalf. These scores are included in the test fee. A student copy of the score report is sent to you separately.

Score Validity

GRE General Test scores are valid for five years.

Test Format

Computer- based.

Test Dates

Offered almost every day, except American and Nepali public holidays.

Test Center

U.S. Educational Foundation in Nepal, Gyaneswor.

Test Fee

US $160 as of 2006.

Further Information

Pick up a copy of the GRE Information and Registration Bulletin from the USEF. The bulletin contains information about testing procedures and a GRE Test Scheduling Form. The GRE bulletin may also be downloaded from the ETS website as a PDF file. Test registration may be completed online or through local banks in Kathmandu.

Official Website

www.ets.org/gre

GRE Subject Tests

Graduate Record Examination: Subject Tests

Description

In addition to the GRE General Test, some graduate programs in the U.S. may require you to take a GRE Subject Test. These tests are designed to test your knowledge in a specific subject area. The GRE Subject Tests are offered in 8 subjects only. If you plan to study one of these subjects at the graduate level, you should consider taking the corresponding Subject Test.

1. Biochemistry, cell and molecular biology
2. Biology
3. Chemistry
4. Computer Science
5. Literature in English
6. Mathematics
7. Physics
8. Psychology

Test Scores

Test takers receive a single score ranging from 200-990.

Score Reports

When you register for the GRE Subject Test, you may identify up to four schools that should receive official score reports on your behalf. These scores are included in the test fee. A student copy of the score report is sent to you separately.
Score Validity
GRE Subject Test scores are valid for five years.

Test Format

Paper-based.

Test Dates

Offered in November and April every year.

Test Center

St.Xavier’s School, Jawalakhel, Kathmandu.

Test Fee

US $150 as of 2006.

Further Information

Pick up a copy of the GRE Information and Registration Bulletin from the USEF. The bulletin contains information about testing procedures and a GRE Registration Form. The GRE bulletin may also be downloaded from the ETS website as a PDF file. Test registration may be completed online or through local banks in Kathmandu.

Official Website
www.ets.org/gre

Description

The GMAT is required of students who are applying for admission to graduate programs in business and management. The test measures your verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills but does not presume a background in any specific area. Test duration is approximately four hours and consists of the following three sections:

1. Analytical Writing Assessment (2 typed essays; may not be hand-written).
2. Quantitative section (problem solving and data sufficiency questions).
3. Verbal section (reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction).

Test Scores

Test takers receive four separate scores on the GMAT:

1. Analytical Writing Assessment score, ranging from 0-6.
2. Quantitative score, ranging from 0-60.
3. Verbal score, ranging from 0-60.
4. Total score, ranging from 200-800.

While there are no passing or failing scores, many MBA programs require a minimum score of 500 for admission. Usually, the more competitive the program, the higher the score required.

Score Reports

On the day of the test, you may identify up to five schools that should receive official score reports on your behalf. These scores are included in the test fee. A student copy of the score report is sent to you separately.

Score Validity

GMAT score are valid for five years.

Test Format

Computer-based.

Test dates

Offered several times a week, throughout the year.

Test Center

Kathmandu College of Management, Gwarko. (Opposite B&B Hospital.)

Test fees

US $ as of 2006

Official Website
www.mba.com

Scholastic Aptitude Test: Reasoning Test

Description

The SAT I Reasoning Test is a four –hour exam that tests math, verbal, and writing skills acquired in high school. Most undergraduate students applying to reputed schools in the U.S. will be required to take this test. The Three sections in the SAT I are:
1. Critical Reading (19 sentence completion and 48 passage- based reading questions).
2. Math (44 multiple –choice and 10 students –produced response questions).
3. Writing (49 multiple – choice questions and one written essay).

Test Scores

Students receive three separate scores on the SAT Reasoning Test.
1. Math score, ranging from 200-800.
2. Critical reading score, ranging from 200-800.
3. Writing section score, ranging from 200-800.

Score Reports

When you register for the SAT I, you may identify up to four schools that should receive official score reports on your behalf. These scores are included in the test fee. A student copy of the score report is sent to you separately.

Score Validity

While SAT scores are kept indefinitely by the College Board, most schools will not accept scores that are older than five years.

Test Format

Paper-based.

Test Dates

Offered in January, May, June, October, November, and December each year.

Test Centers

The SAT I is offered at the following locations in Nepal.

1. St.Xavier’s School, Jawalakhel, Kathmandu.
2. Lincoln School, Rabi Bhawan, Kathmandu.
Note: Not all test dates are available at Lincoln School.

Test Fee

US $63.50 as of 2006.

Further Information

Pick up a copy of the SAT Registration Booklet from the USEF. The booklet contains information about testing procedures and a SAT Registration Form. Pick up two copies of the booklet if you will be taking the SAT II as well. Registration forms are the same for both tests. Test registration may be completed online or through local banks in Kathmandu.

Official Website
www.colllegeboard.com

SAT II

Scholastic Aptitude Test: Subject Tests

Description

The SAT II Subject Tests are one – hour tests that measure a student’s knowledge of a particular academic subject studied in high school. Usually, only the most competitive undergraduate schools require scores from the SAT II. Students normally select three tests (one hour each) in one sitting. Subject Tests are offered in the following areas:

1. Literature
2. U.S. History
3. World History
4. Math Level 1
5. Math Level 2
6. Biology (Ecological/Molecular)
7. Chemistry
8. Physics
9. Chinese with Listening
10. French
11. French with Listening
12. German
13. German with Listening
14. Spanish
15. Spanish with Listening
16. Modern Hebrew
17. Italian
18. Latin
19. Japanese with Listening
20. Korean with Listening

While you are free to choose any three tests you wish, some colleges may identify at least one or more Subject Tests that you should take. The SAT I and the SAT II can not be taken on the same test date.

Test Scores

Each Subject Test score is reported on a scale of 200-800.

Score Reports

When you register for the SAT II, you may identify up to four schools that should receive official score reports on your behalf. These scores are included in the test fee. A student copy of the score report is sent to you separately.

Score Validity

While SAT scores are kept indefinitely by the College Board, most schools will not accept scores that are older than five years.

Test Format

Paper- based

Test Dates

Most SAT Subject Tests are offered in January, May, June, October, November and December. The language tests however are not offered as frequently.

Test Centers

The SAT II Subject Tests are offered at the following locations in Nepal.

1. St. Xavier’s School, Jawalakhel, Kathmandu.
2. Lincoln School, Rabi Bhawan, Kathmandu.
Note: Not all test dates are available at Lincoln School.

Test Fee

US $64 as of 2006; includes three regular subject tests. The fee is higher if you register for any of the language with listening tests.

Further Information

Pick up a copy of the SAT Registration Booklet from the USEF. The booklet contains information about testing procedures and a SAT Registration Form. Pick up two copies of the booklet if you will be taking the SAT I as well. Registration forms are the same for both tests. Test registration may be completed online or through local banks in Kathmandu.

Official Website
www.collegeboard.org

The IELTS is an English language assessment test used by institution around the world to evaluate the English language skills of international students. While IELTS scores are used mostly by universities in Australia and England, it is gaining acceptance at institution in the United States. Currently, there are approximately 1,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. that will accept IELTS for undergraduate admission only. Graduate programs may ask that you submit scores from the TOEFL, not the IELTS.

If you are unable to take the TOEFL in Nepal for any particular reason, the IELTS may be an option for you. However, make sure before hand that the colleges you are applying to will accept IELTS scores. The IELTS website has a search feature that will tell you which U.S. institutions accept the IELTS.

The IELTS test consists of four separate sections – Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The Speaking section is administered separately, usually within a week of taking the other sections. IELTS scores range from 0-9, nine being the highest. American colleges that accept the IELTS usually require a minimum score of 6.5 for admission.

IELTS Quick Facts
1) The IELTS test is administered as a paper-based test by the British Council at Lainchaur, Kathmandu.
2) Testing is offered at least twice a month.
3) Students may also take the test in Pokhara, where testing is offered once every two months.
4) Registration for the test may be completed at the British Council itself.
5) The cost of taking the IELTS test in Nepal is comparable to what you would pay for the computer-based TOEFL.
6) Score reports are usually available two weeks after the written portion of the test.

Further Information

The British Council, Lainchaur, Kathmandu, Tel: 441-0798.

Website:
www.britishcouncil.org/Nepal

Official IELTS website:
www.ielts.org

Description

The TOEFL measures the English proficiency of students whose native language is not English. Most undergraduate and graduate programs in the U.S require international applicants to submit scores from the TOEFL. The test is administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS), an organization based in New Jersey, USA. In Nepal, the TOEFL has been offered as a computer –based test (CBT) at the USEF since 1998. As of 2006, the CBT is being phased out and will soon be replaced by a new version. The four sections on the CBT and their score ranges are:

1. Listening Comprehension 0-30
2. Structure/Writing 0-30
3. Reading Comprehension 0-30
4. Essay 0-6
5. Total score 0-300

Most undergraduate programs require a minimum CBT score of 173 for unconditional admission. Graduate programs usually require a minimum score of 213.

Internet- based TOEFL

In the near future, ETS will introduce Nepali students to a new version of the TOEFL called the Internet-based TOEFL (IBT). The IBT was launched in the U.S. in 2005 and is now available in many countries around the world. Once launched in Nepali, the iBT will be offered at least several times a month, throughout the year. The most significant changes in the test will include:

• A Speaking section. Test takers will be required to respond to various questions by speaking into a microphone.
• Two essays instead of one. Unlike in the current versions of the test, essays will have to be typed, instead of hand-written.
• Candidates will be allowed to take notes throughout the entire test (currently not allowed).
• There will be no separate grammar section.

The four sections on the iBT and their score ranges are:

1. Listening Comprehension 0-30
2. Reading Comprehension 0-30
3. Speaking 0-30
4. Essays 0-5(converted to a 0-30 scale)
5. Total score 0-120

Paper- based TOEFL

The paper-based version of the TOEFL (PBT) was officially discontinued after the CBT was launched in 1998. However, due to the high volume of TOEFL candidates in Nepal, ETS is administrating a limited number of PBT sessions in Kathmandu in 2006 and early 2007. These sessions are temporary .Once the iBT is fully operational, both the paper-based and the computer-based TOEFL will be phased out completely. Scores on the PBT range from 200-677. Most undergraduate programs require a minimum score of 500 for admission. Graduate programs require a score of at least 550.

Score Reports

On the day of the test, you may identify up to four schools that should receive official score reports on your behalf. These scores are included in the test fee. A student copy of the score report is sent to you separately.

Score Validity

TOEFL scores are valid for two years.

Test Fee

US $140 as of 2006.

Further Information

Download the TOEFL Bulletin from the official ETS website at www.ets.org/toefl. The bulletin is in PDF format and you will need Adobe Reader to open the file .Test registration may be completed online or through local banks in Kathmandu.

TOEFL in Transition

The TOEFL is in transition and until the IBT version is fully operational in Nepal, test dates, available formats, and test center locations may change at short notice. Visit the test registration page at the ETS TOEFL website for current information on taking the TOEFL in Nepal.