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## International Affairs Office, U.S. Department of Education Feb 2008

[[http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/edlite-index.html]{.underline}](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/edlite-index.html)

Structure of the U.S. Education System:

Standardized Tests

Standardized tests are scientifically normed and machine-graded
instruments administered to students and adults under controlled
conditions to assess capabilities, including knowledge, cognitive skills
and abilities, and aptitude. They are used extensively in the U.S.
education system at all levels to assist with admissions, placement, and
counseling decisions. Some of these tests include a written portion that
is hand-graded.

Some of the more common standardized tests that international students
may encounter are described below.

SECONDARY LEVEL APTITUDE TESTS

[**Secondary School Admission Test
(SSAT)**](http://www.ssatmembers.org/) is an aptitude test frequently
administered to students applying to private secondary schools and some
public secondary schools. It measures verbal, reading, and quantitative
skills and also includes a writing sample.

[**Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test
(PSAT/NMSQT)**](http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html)
is a voluntary test given to secondary school students in year 10 or 11
to assist them in preparing for the SAT and to qualify for national
merit scholarships. It measures reading, writing, and mathematical
problem-solving skills.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTS

[**Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL)**](http://web1.toefl.org/) is a proficiency test designed to
measure knowledge and skill in understanding and using written English.
It is required of international students whose native language or
previous language of instruction was not English, and some U.S.
institutions will accept TOEFL scores in lieu of other test scores.

UNDERGRADUATE (FIRST DEGREE) APTITUDE TESTS

[**American College Testing Program
(ACT)**](http://www.act.org/aap/index.html) is an aptitude test
administered to secondary students in years 11 or 12, and adults, to
help determine capability for postsecondary study. It includes
measurements of reading, mathematics, English language and science
skills and an optional writing sample. Also provided are secondary
subject grade reports and a student interests inventory.

[**Scholastic Aptitude Test
(SAT)**](http://www.collegeboard.com/newsat/index.html) is an aptitude
test administered to secondary students in years 11 or 12, and to some
adult students, to help determine capability for postsecondary study. It
is divided into two parts, the SAT Reasoning Test measuring reading,
writing and quantitative skills; and the SAT Subject Tests measuring
knowledge and reasoning ability in various subjects.

FIRST PROFESSIONAL DEGREE APTITUDE TESTS

NOTE: The former Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT) is no longer
administered. Applicants to veterinary medicine programs must now take
the GRE (see below) and/or TOEFL (see above). No specific test is
required for admission to first professional degree programs in
chiropractic. Applicants to pre-ordination programs in theology take
whatever test is required by the admitting seminary.

[**Dental Admission Test
(DAT)**](http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/index.asp) is a
knowledge and aptitude test administered to students seeking to enter
accredited first professional degree programs in dentistry. The DAT
measures knowledge and skills in biology, general and organic chemistry,
and quantitative methods plus skills in reading and spatial perception
and coordination.

[**Graduate Management Admission Test
(GMAT)**](http://www.gmac.com/gmac/thegmat/) is an aptitude test
administered to holders of a bachelor's degree seeking to enroll in
accredited graduate programs in business administration and management.
The GMAT measures analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative
reasoning skills.

[**Law School Admission Test
(LSAT)**](http://www.lsac.org/lsac.asp?url=/lsac/about-the-lsat.asp) is
an aptitude test administered to students seeking to enter accredited
first professional degree programs in law. The LSAT measures reading and
verbal reasoning skills.

[**Medical College Admission Test
(MCAT)**](http://www.aamc.org/students/mcat/) is a knowledge and
aptitude test administered to students seeking to enter accredited first
professional degree programs in allopathic medicine, osteopathic
medicine, and podiatric medicine. The MCAT measures knowledge and skills
in the biological sciences, physical sciences and verbal reasoning plus
requires a writing sample.

[**Optometry Admission Test (OAT)**](http://www.opted.org/info_oat.cfm)
is a knowledge and aptitude test administered to students seeking to
enter accredited first professional degree programs in optometry. The
OAT measures competence and skills in reading, quantitative methods,
physics, biology, and general and organic chemistry.

[**Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT)**](http://www.pcatweb.info/)
is a knowledge and aptitude test administered to students seeking to
enter accredited first professional degree programs in pharmacy. It
measures verbal, written, and quantitative abilities plus knowledge of
biology and chemistry. The PCAT can be required of secondary students,
students enrolled in bachelor's degree programs, or bachelor's degree
holders depending on the nature of the program and institutional
requirements.

GRADUATE STUDIES APTITUDE TESTS

[**Graduate Record Examination (GRE)**](http://www.ets.org/gre/) is an
aptitude test administered to holders of the bachelor's degree to help
determine capability for advanced study and research. It is divided into
two parts, the GRE General Test measuring verbal and quantitative
reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills; and the GRE
Subject Tests which measure knowledge in selected subjects.

[**Miller Analogies Test
(MAT)**](http://harcourtassessment.com/haiweb/Cultures/en-US/Harcourt/Community/PostSecondary/Products/MAT/mathome.htm)
is an aptitude test consisting of a series of partial analogies that
must be completed in a set time frame. The MAT measures idea
relationships, English fluency, and content skills in the humanities,
natural sciences, social sciences and mathematics. It is accepted in
some programs as a substitute for the GRE.

See also: [**U.S. Grading
Systems**](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/grading.doc)

[**Assessment**](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/assessment.doc)

[**U.S. Credit
Systems**](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/credits.doc)

[**Experiential Credit
Conversion**](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/expcredit.doc)

[**Continuing Education Units
(CEU)**](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/ceu.doc)

[**Comparing U.S. and Other Credit
Systems**](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/comparecredit.doc)

[**Return to Structure of U.S.
Education**](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/us/edlite-structure-us.html)

> [**Return to USNEI Home
> Page**](http://www.ed.gov/international/usnei/edlite-index.html)