Entrance Exams in Australia: What Exams Are Required To Study In Australia?

Exams Required to Study in Australia

Studying in Australia offers a wealth of opportunities, but before you begin your academic journey, you must navigate the Australia entrance exam requirements. Universities in Australia require international students to meet specific academic and language proficiency standards, and the entrance exams vary depending on your course of study.

Whether you're applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate program, Australia entrance exams likeIELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and GMAT play a crucial role in securing admission. In 2023, over 400,000 international students chose Australia for their higher education, making it the third-most popular destination globally. Indian studentsstudying abroad pursue higher education in countries like Australia only after they successfully clear these Australia entrance exams. These entrance exams are needed to get a student visa.

The English Proficiency entrance exams in Australia

English is the primary language in Australia. Australian government mandated these entrance exams to study in Australia. Besides admission, English language tests are needed to acquire student visas. Below are the Australia exams for student visas.

• IELTS - International English Language Testing System is an important English language proficiency test accepted in all Australian Universities. The general target score is between 6.5 to 7.0 (band score). The exam structure includes 4 segments: listening, speaking, writing, and reading. The exam has to be completed within a specific timeframe (2 hours and 45 minutes).The fee for applying to attempt the IELTS exam is approx. 17000 INR. The exam score remains acceptable for only 2 years from the examination date.
  
• TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language is a well-known proficiency test in the English language. The exam consists of 120 marks and four segments, with 30 marks for every section. The approx. The exam fee is about U.S. 190 $. The applicants can take the exam offline or via the online platform. A minimum of 90 score marks is needed to seek admission to any Australian University.
  
  
• PTE - Pearson Test of English is readily accepted in 150 plus Australian institutions. It is also acceptable at DIAC for student visas. 12 cities in India offer the PTE test. Aspiring students can join an English language course at selected Australian university campuses if the scores are not up to mark.
  
  
• CAE - Cambridge English: Advanced is also accepted by the DIAC to aid the visa application process demonstrating the English language skills of aspirants. The test scores are equivalent to IELTS scores as Cambridge ESOL examinations run. Due to this fact, it is permitted to be used by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

Entrance exams for Australia - Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate applicants can join Australian Universities only if they have completed 12 years of educational learning with the English language as their main mode of learning. Otherwise, students must give proof of test scores such as ACT, SAT, UMAT, ISAT, and LSAT.

• UMAT: The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) conducts the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission (UMAT) test in Australia. It is a multiple-choice test of 3 hours. Students seeking admission to medicine, health science, or dentistry undergraduate programs must attempt UMAT. The test scores are accepted by universities such as Newcastle University, University of New South Wales, Queensland University, Adelaide University, Western Australia University, Flinders University, and La Trobe University. The fee for the UMAT examination is around 17,833 INR.
  
  
• ISAT: International Student Admission Test is an Australia entrance exam to gain admission into undergraduate programs, including medicine, occupational therapy, pathology, and healthcare. ISAT can help secure admission to undergraduate degree courses such as MBBS in Australia for Indian students. The 3-hour ISAT test score is valid for a year. The minimum required score result is 60 for getting admission to Australian Universities. The approximate fee for the UMAT examination is around 7,990 INR. Some universities accepting ISAT test scores include Queensland University, Monash University, Flinders University, New South Wales University, and more.
  
  
• LSAT: Law School Admission Test is an Australia entrance exam supervised by LSAC, USA. for students who want to pursue law in Australia. The online registration fee is 3799 INR in India. The MQC exam pattern can be checked online. LSAT results are valid for 5 years and the fee amount is 3799 INR.
  
  
• SAT: Scholastic Aptitude Test is a famous undergraduate MCQ test focused on Math and Evidence-based reading and writing. The registration fee is 7500 INR and can be paid offline or online. 1200 and above scores are considered good scores for getting admission. Top academies that accept SAT results valid for five years include Queensland University, University of South Australia, Curtin University, and Sydney University, among many others.
  
  
• ACT: The American College Test is an undergraduate entrance test and an alternative to the SAT exam. The computer-based test uses a 36-point scale to evaluate students. The minimum score for admission is 28 and above. Registration fee is around 11,500 INR to 12, 500 INR. The test result validity stretches up to 5 years.

Entrance Exams for Australia - PostGraduate Programs

Postgraduate students must provide proof of their test scores, such as GMAT, MCAT, or LSAT, to get admission to reputed Australian universities.

• GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test is a superior entrance exam in Australia for postgraduate students, which is subdivided into four segments. Postgraduate applicants are given three hours to complete the exam. The analytical writing and integrated reasoning are writing sections, and students are given one hour to complete them. A GMAT score above 600 is considered to be good. The fee charged for GMAT is 18,300 INR.
  
  
• MCAT - Medical College Admissions Test is taken by postgraduate students wanting admission to medical schools. Australian medical academies such as Sydney Medical School, Melbourne Medical School, and Griffith Medical School must see MCAT scores for admission. The MCQ computer-based test scores are valid for 3 years. The fee charged for the MCAT is 23,410 INR.

Entrance exam for Australia from India - Application fees

One of the key factors to consider is the application fees for the required Australia entrance exams. These fees vary depending on the test and the university or institution you're applying to. Whether it's an English proficiency test likeIELTS or TOEFL, or an academic exam like the GMAT or GRE, understanding these costs is necessary for budgeting your study plans.

Study in Australia without IELTS

Indian students who have completed their academic education for the past 5 previous years with English language as their main mode of learning need not produce any proof of English language proficiency. Many universities give admission to students without proof of their TOEFL or IELTS scores if they are ready to accept a specific English program at that university before starting their degree education.

These academies include Adelaide University, Swinburne University of Technology, University of Southern Queensland, and Macquarie University. Some universities also accept exam result scores of PTE and CAE in place of TOEFL or IELTS such as University of South Australia and Bond University. The University of Southern Queensland suggests students take special English programs to gain admission to their university.


FAQs - Australia Entrance Exam

1. Which test is best for Australia?

The choice between IELTS and PTE Academic depends on individual preferences and specific requirements. Both tests are widely accepted by Australian universities and immigration authorities. IELTS offers both paper-based and computer-based formats, with results typically available within 13 days. PTE Academic is entirely computer-based, providing results usually within 48 hours. Consider factors such as test format, availability, and personal comfort when choosing between the two.

2. Which exam is best for an Australia student visa?

For an Australian student visa, both IELTS and PTE Academic are accepted. The Department of Home Affairs requires a minimum PTE score of 50 for visa purposes. However, individual institutions may have higher score expectations. For example, Monash University requires a minimum of 58, and the University of Sydney requires a minimum of 61.

3. Which is better, IELTS or PTE for Australia?

Both IELTS and PTE Academic are recognized by Australian institutions and immigration authorities. IELTS is accepted by more than 12,500 organizations worldwide, including universities, professional bodies, employers, and Australian student visa and migration applications. PTE Academic is accepted by over 150 institutions in Australia, including more than 80% of TAFEs.

4. What is the hardest exam in Australia?

The perceived difficulty of exams varies among individuals. However, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is often considered challenging due to its comprehensive assessment of analytical writing, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and integrated reasoning skills. It is commonly required for admission to management-focused programs in Australia.

5. What PTE score is required for Australia?

The minimum PTE score required for an Australian student visa is 50. However, individual institutions may have higher score expectations. For example, Monash University requires a minimum of 58, and the University of Sydney requires a minimum of 61.