There are two separate registration categories within the TSE program: TSE–A and TSE–P

TSE–A is for applicants applying for teaching and research assistantship who have been asked to take the TSE test by admissions office or department concerned of any U.S universities/institutions.

TSE–P is for individuals such as those who are taking the TSE test to obtain liconsure or certification in a professional or occupational field.

Test for Graduate Studies

GRE (Graduate Record Examination):
GRE test is required of students enrolling for a master’s or doctoral program in the arts, sciences and engineering fields. It consists of two independent test: the General GRE and the Subject GRE.

GRE General :

When a university requires a GRE test as a part of their entrance requirements, it is generally assumed that they only require you to take the General GRE test. It contains seven 30-minute sections designed to measure verbal, quantitative and analytical abilities.

They include verbal reasoning questions, reading comprehension and mathematical questions that require arithmetical reasoning, the solution of algebraic problems and interpretation of graphs, diagrams and descriptive date.

Six sections of the General test contribute to the test scores; one unidentified separately timed section has trial questions that are not included in the actual test scores. The GRE General Test is held in the morning on each test date. In India, the GRE test is mostly held four times in a year.

GRE Subject :

The Subject tests are designed to measure knowledge and understanding of subject matter related to graduate study in specific fields and also to assess whether a student has the prerequisite background to undertake graduate study in a particular field.

Since most graduate departments within a university establish their own entrance requirements, including tests, it is necessary to write to the institution directly to find out whether the Subject GRE is required by the department in which the student is interest and if so, in which subject. You could also refer to the Peterson’s Guides and the Directory of Graduate Programs.

GRE Subject tests are currently available in sixteen different subjects:

Coll and Molecular Biology

Chemistry

Economics

Engineering
Geology
History

Mathematics

Physics
Political Science
Psychology
and Sociology

Total testing time for each Subject Test is 2 hours and 50 minutes except for the Revised Music Test which has a total testing time of about 3 hours.

Only one Subject Test may be taken on any given test date. The subject GRE in India is only offered in October each year. The GRE Subject test is administered in the afternoon of the same date as the GRE General test.

GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test)
The GMAT test is designed to help graduate schools of business assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. It does not test specific knowledge attained through college course-work or achievement in any particular subject area.

It measures a student’s general verbal, mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skills that are developed over a long period of time and are associated with success in the first year of study at graduate schools of management all of which indicate an aptitude for management studies.

The quantitative sections of the test measure basic mathematical skills, understanding of elementary concepts and the ability to reason quantitatively, solve quantitative problems and interpret graphic data. The variable sections of the test measure the ability to understand and evaluate what is read and to recognise basic conventions of standard written English as well as advanced comprehension skills and the ability to grasp and analyze data.

The GMAT consists of seven separately timed sections, each containing multiple choice questions. One of the seven sections contains trial questions needed for pre-testing and equating but they are not identified and appear in varying locations within the test. You should therefore do your best on all sections. The total testing time is three and one half hour. In India, the GMAT tests is held four times a year.

Agents

For test forms and additional information write to
for TOEFL And GRE: Institute of Psychological and Educational Measurement (IPEM), 25-A, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Allahabad-211001, Phone:(0532)604881/604644

For GMAT :

Graduate Management Admission Test, Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box G103, Princeton, NJ 08541-6103, U.S.A, Phone:(609)771-7330, Fax:(609)771-7681, (609)771-7906

To obtain an application form, send a request letter to the agent. No payment is necessary.

Tests for Undergraduate Studies

Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) I and II
SAT 1 : Reasoning tests :

This is three-hour multiple choice test that measures the verbal and mathematical reasoning you have developed over many yeas, both in and out of school. The test questions are roughly divided in the following manner:

1. Verbal Reasoning: focuses on a student’s ability to read critically several given passages, including double passages with different points of view. It will in addition test students verbal reasoning skills and knowledge of vocabulary in context.

2. Mathematical Reasoning: will include regular mathematics, quantitative comparisons and emphasize on a student’s ability to apply mathematical concepts and interpret data. Few questions will require students to produce their own responses - not select from a choice of answers. Use of calculator is permitted, although not required.

3. The test also includes a 30-minute section of equating questions (verbal, mathematical). Answers to those questions do not count toward your score.

Your SAT scores, course grades and other in formation about your academic background help college admission officers evaluate how well prepared you are to do college-level work. Because courses and grading standards vary widely from school to school, scores on standardized tests such as the SAT help colleges compare the ability of students from different schools from different countries.

SAT II: Subject tests:

The subject tests are one-hour multiple choice tests in specific subjects. Unlike the SAT 1 which measures general abilities, SAT II measures your knowledge of particular subjects and your ability to apply that knowledge. Not all college require SAT II for admission or placement.

The ones that do either require specific combinations of subjects, or permit students to choose from among the various tests. Check the requirements of the colleges where you might apply before deciding which subject test to take. 18 subject tests are available in the following areas: Writing, Literature, Foreign languages, History, Mathematics, Sciences, English as a Second Language.

The writing test, a part of SAT II, will include a direct writing sample and multiple choice questions that require recognition of the conventions of standard written English, appropriate diction, and effective and logical expression.

For SAT/ACH information and forms write to:
College Board ATP
P.O. Box 6200
Princeton, NJ 08541-6200
U. S. A.

* To obtain an application form , send a request letter with your complete name and address. No payment is necessary.

Practice Guides for Preparation of these tests
The most commonly used guides are :

Dates for the entire testing year are given on information bulletins that contain the application forms. As registration for tests takes time and centres get full in India, it is advisable to start the process early, at least 3 to 4 months before the date you plan to give the exam.

Note :

USEFI does not distribute forms, help/assist students in filling the forms, register students for the test, mark score reports etc.

USEFI Regional Offices:

Mumbai:
Sundeep, 4 Now Marino Lines, Mumbai-400 020. Phone: 2663956.

Madras:
American Consulate Bldg, Anna Salai, Madras-600 006. Phone: 8257195, 8273040.

Calcutta:
American Center, 38 Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Calcutta-700 016. Phone: 2451636-37, 2451211-19.

Source:

U.S.EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION IN INDIA, Head Office: Fulbright House, 12, Hailey Road, New Delhi-110001. Phone:3328944, 3328945.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

IELTS:

The IELTS is a test of English devised and managed by the British Council, the International Development Programme (IDP) Education Australia and the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES). It is meant for non-native speakers who want to join academic or training programmes in English. It gives a reliable indication of how well overseas students will cope in English in a study context.

The test indicates a candidates overall English languages proficiency and profiles his/her ability in listening, reading, writing and speaking.

The British Council Division in India administers the test in Madras, Mumbai, Calcutta and Delhi.
How to apply : Once an institution in the UK or Australia or another country where English is used as a medium of instruction, asks you to take the test, or if you plan to go to any of these countries for higher education in the near future, you should write to the IELTS Administrator, English Studies Unit, British Deputy High Commission, British Council Division, 737 Anna Salai, Madras-600 002.

If you have received a letter from an institution asking you to take the test, please enclose a copy.
You will receive a registration form which you should complete carefully and accurately with in the help of the enclosed IELTS handbook. Return the form with your test fee (drawn on a Demand Draft in favour of British council Division, Madras).

The test is offered approximately once every two months. Please get in touch with your nearest British Council division officer to find out the exact date of the next test.

For those who cannot take the test on a scheduled date, the British Council Division may be able to arrange a special sitting on a mutually convenient date for a higher fee.

About the Test:

The test is divided into four subtests: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Listening and Speaking modules are the same for all candidates. However, if you plan to undertake academic study it is recommended you sit for the Academic Reading and Writing modules. If you plan to pursue a non-academic/training programme, it is better to take the General Training Reading and Writing modules.

The entire test takes about three hours with two breaks. Please note that the last subtest (Speaking) can be held upto two days after the other three subtests, depending on the number of candidates sitting the examination on a particular date.

General Training

General Training

Scoring is done on a band of 0 to 9. Many academic institutions find a score of 7.0 acceptable, though specific programmes may demand higher scores, eg. for medical practice.

Scores:

Test scores will be sent directly to the institution you have applied to within two weeks from the date of the test. A copy of your test score will also be mailed to you. Your scores are normally valid for a period of two years, but it is left to the discretion of the receiving university to judge the validity period of your scores.

Borderline candidates may query their results within one month from the date of issue of results. Their scores will be double checked and marked again. However, if you have to resit the test you will have to wait three months, since research indicates that test scores show little improvement without tuition for at least three months.

Preparing for the test:

Two packages of specimen materials consisting of a booklet and an audio cassette one produced by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) and one by the British Council called How to prepare for IELTS, have been designed to help students prepare for the test. They are available for sale at the Madras, Delhi, Mumbai and Calcutta offices of the British council Division.

These packs are available for reference at all the four centres and the British Libraries.

Specimen materials:

Offices in South India:

British Deputy High Commission,
British Council Division, 737, Anna Salai, Madras-600002.Phone:8525002, 8525412; Telex: 041-7775 BCMS IN; Fax: 044-8523234

The British Library, YMCA Building, Thiruvanantha puram-695001. Phone:330716
The British Library, 39, St Mark’s Road, Bangalore-560 001. Phone: 2213485

The British Library, Sarovar Centre, 5-9-22 Secretariat Road, Hyderabad-500 004. Phone: 230774.

Source:

British Council division, British Deputy High Commission.