Studying in the US? Part 4

In our last newsletters we have introduced you to the American college and university system and gave you an overview over the possibilities for foreign students. In THIS newsletter, we will tell you about:

LANGUAGE AND PLACEMENT TESTS

Language Tests

If you wish to study in the US, you will first of all have to pass a language test, the most common one is the TOEFL test (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

ATTENTION: You must pass the TOEFL test!

The TOEFL test is being organized by the ETS (Educational Testing Service). The application information only includes a few test examples, but also information on where to acquire them.

TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language

This language test takes about three hours and consists of three parts:
1. Listening Comprehension
2. Structure and Written Expression
3. Reading Comprehension

You have to be able to well understand and read the English language and show some basic grammar skills. The maximum points you can get on the TOEFL are 677. The lowest number of points possible are 200. Most American universities require 400-500 points for undergraduates and 500-600 for graduates. More than 600 points are an excellent result. Usually this test can be easily passed by anyone who has paid a little attention in English class, even without prior training.

You must observe the application deadlines ca. 6 weeks before the actual test, it is advisable to even apply four weeks before the registration deadline because the tests are always booked out rather quickly. You register via an organization in the Netherlands, The address is on the bottom of this article. The fees are easiest paid with a Eurocheque, written out in Dutch guilders.

By the way, the test is only valid for two years. You can repeat the test as many times as you want and the latest result will always be the one that counts. For some years now, some universities also require the TSE (Test of Spoken English) in case your study course is combined with a job as a teaching assistant. This test confirms the students active language skills.

A third language test, the TWE (Test of Written English) is also available, but it is only rarely required. The TOEFL bulletins also include information about the TSE and TWE, but really important is only the TOEFL.

You can find out more about the TOEFL in the test brochure and on the internet on www.toefl.org. You can get the brochures for free from the German-American institutions or directly from the test organizations. You will find the addresses at the bottom of this chapter. You can have a look at the preparation books at the German-American Institutions, order them from the test organizations or buy them at international book stores.

You can also get study material from the Kaplan Education Center: www.kaplan.com.

MELAB - Michigan English Language Battery

Some universities accept the MELAB test as an alternative to the TOEFL.
This consists of four parts:
1. Written Composition
2. Listening Comprehension Test
3. Multiple Choice Test
4. Oral Interview / Speaking Test

The maximum number of points you can reach here is 90 and this test as well is valid for two years.

Note: independently of the already taken test, you can take another one at the US university, the result will determine whether you have to take further language classes.

General Assessment Tests Usually, it is especially the assessment test that causes the foreign student quite a headache during the planning phase. Many students are so nervous about this that their wish to study in the US doesn't seem quite as appealing anymore. However, this test is just one of many criteria for the admission. Still, this does not mean you shouldn't take it seriously. The most common tests are the Scholastic Aptitude, or in some books, Assessment Test (SAT), the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). You can take all of these tests in Germany, in special test centers. However, you can also take these tests in other countries.

By the way, failing a test does not mean you have to give up on your plan, you can retake these tests as many times as you want as well. Furthermore, the US university will always take into consideration that you are not a native speaker, i.e. you will not have to meet the same demands US students must meet.

SAT

This test usually has to be taken by high school graduates or students in the earlier semesters. There are six test dates every year. For this as well, you must strictly observe the registration deadlines. In case you have missed this, you may be allowed to participate as a standby on the test day, provided there are still empty places. However, the risk would be yours in that case. You can register via fax or internet as well. The SAT has two parts. The SAT I tests your general mathematical and verbal skills. The SAT II contains several different subject tests. Your knowledge in subjects such as history, mathematics, biology, etc. will be tested here. You cannot take both tests the same day. Find more information about this on www.collegeboard.org

GMAT

Applicants for a Master's or PhD program in business administration or related fields must take the GMAT test. These tests are held four times a year. The test consists of 9 parts, you will have to prove certain verbal, analytical and mathematical skills. However, business-related specialist knowledge is not required. You can apply by mail or via the internet. In case you have missed the registration deadline, you may be allowed to participate as a standby. www.gmat.org

GRE

This test is required for Master's or PhD applicants in a whole number of fields. The GRE General Test will test your verbal, analytical and mathematical skills in 6 test parts, 16 GRE subject tests will test your knowledge on subjects such as history, chemistry, music etc.

The GRE can be taken as a paper-and-pencil test 3 times a year in Germany or as a computer-based test every 6 months. You can get more information form CITO in Arnhem, Netherlands. Here as well, you may be allowed to participate as a standby if you miss the application deadline.

www.gre.org (also contains great information about the MBA program)

The SAT, GMAT and GRE test scores are all valid for 5 years. You can take them in many test centers in Germany. However, test dates and the German test centers are not coordinated, so that you will have to order the bulletins and coordinate the dates and places yourself. All the test organizers offer, for a small fee, extensive study material for preparation. You can find out more from the respective bulletins.

Costs: In 1998/99 the basic fees for the TOEFL were $53 (an additional $100 for the TSE), $94 for the GMAT and $100 for the GRE (General Test or Subject Test, combined $180). However, there may be some additional costs. The GRE can also be taken as a CBT (computer-based testing program) at some test centers. The fee for this is $120. Don't forget that you also have to pay for the travel costs to get to the test center.

Further tests: ACT, MAT, MCAT, DAT, LSAT, ASP and CLEP

Some universities also accept the American College Test (ACT) instead of the SAT and the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) instead of the GRE.

MCAT: Medical College Admission Test for applicants who wish to study medicine
DAT: Dental Admission Test for those who wish to become dentists
LSAT: Law School Admission Test for law students

Except for the LSAT the other tests cannot be taken in Germany, since it is difficult anyway, as mentioned before, to be admitted for these subjects.

American students sometimes use the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). This test, together with the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), a special test for a national scholarship program for specially skilled US students, is also carried out at US high schools in Germany. In the US, students may take two further tests for credits and shorten their study time that way, those are the Advanced Placement Program and the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP).

Find further information about this on www.collegeboard.org

Addresses of the test organizations

American College Test (ACT)
P.O. Box 414
Iowa City, IA 52243
USA

Dental Admission Test (DAT)
Department of Testing Services
American Dental Association
211 E. Chicago Avenue, Suite 1840
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
USA
Tel: (001) 321 440 2689

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6103
Princeton, NJ 08541-6103
USA
Tel.: (001) 609 771 7330
Fax: (001) 609 883 4349
E-Mail: GMAT@ets.org

CITO/GMAT
P.O. Box 1109
NL-6801 BC Arnhem
Tel.: (0031) 26 3521 480

Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
GRE
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6000
Princeton, NJ 08541-6000
USA
Tel.: (001) 609 771 7670
Fax: (001) 609 771 7906
E-Mail: GRE-info@ets.org

CITO/GRE
P.O. Box 1109
NL-6801 BC Arnhem
Tel.: (0031) 26 3521 427

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
Law School Admission Service
P.O. Box 2000
Newtown, PA 18940-0998
USA
Tel.: (001) 215 968 1001

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
MCAT Program Office
2255 North Dubuque Road
P.O. Box 4056
Iowa City, IA 52243
USA
Tel.: (001) 319 337 1357
Fax: (001) 319 337 1551

Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB)
English Language Institute Testing and Certification Division
3020 North University Building
The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1057
USA
Tel.: (001) 313 764 2416
(001) 313 763 3452

Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
The Psychological Corporation
555 Academic Court
San Antonio, TX 78204
USA

Scholastic Aptitude / Assessment Test (SAT)
SAT Program
P.O. Box 6200
Princeton, NJ 08541-6200
USA
Tel.: (001) 609 771 7600
E-Mail: sat@ets.org

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
TOEFL/TSE Publications
P.O. Box 6154
Princeton, NJ 08541-6154
USA
Tel.: (001) 609 771 7100
Fax: (001) 609 771 7500
E-Mail: toefl@ets.org

CITO/TOEFL
P.O. Box 1203
NL-6801 BE Arnhem
Tel.: (0031) 26 3521 480

In two further articles about studying in the US over the following months, you will also learn about these topics: Accreditation of US academic achievements in Germany, applying for the F-1 Visa.