Sometimes all of these test acronyms can get a little confusing.
To help you make sense of it all, we've compiled short
descriptions of some major standardized tests.
PSAT:
Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test. Most students take this
test in the fall of their junior year in high school (usually in
October). However, many students take it "for practice" at some
point during their sophomore year. The PSAT is the same format as
the SAT, only it is a shorter exam. Your score on this exam is
important because it determines your eligibility for a National
Merit Scholarship.
SAT:
Scholastic Achievement Test. Students take this test in the
spring of their junior year in high school, in preparation for
going to college. Most students take this exam in June, however,
many students take the exam again in the fall of their senior
year, because they were not satisfied with the score they
received in June. There are two subjects tested, verbal skills
and math skills. 1.8 million students take the SAT each year.
ACT:
ACT Assessment. Students take this test in place of, or in
addition to, the SAT for entrance into college. The exam is
offered six times a year, in February, April, June, September,
October, and December. It is more widely used in the Midwest
region of the US. It covers English, reading, science, and
math.
GRE:
Graduate Record Examination. The GRE is required for admission to
graduate school. This computerized exam is offered year-round,
but only during the first 3 weeks of every calendar month. It
tests students on verbal skills, quantitative skills (math), and
analytical reasoning skills.
GMAT:
Graduate Management Admission Test. The GMAT is required for
admission to business school. This computerized test is offered
year-round, but only in the last 3 weeks of every calendar month.
It tests students on verbal skills, quantitative skills (math)
and analytical writing skills.
LSAT:
Law School Admission Test. The LSAT is required for admission to
law school. Most students take this test in October, however, it
is also offered in June, December, and February. The LSAT is not
a knowledge-based test, but rather a thinking and reasoning-based
test. It tests your skills in logic reasoning, logic games,
reading comprehension and writing.
MCAT:
Medical College Admissions Test. The MCAT is required for
admission to medical school. It will be administered 24 times in 2009 spread over 8 months. It has 4 sections: verbal reasoning, biological
sciences, physical sciences and a writing sample.
DAT:
Dental Admissions Test. The DAT is required for admission to
dental school. It is a computerized test offered year-round. The
DAT tests your skills in reading comprehension, natural sciences,
quantitative reasoning, and perceptual ability.
Test takers of the GRE, LSAT, MCAT and DAT are usually juniors
or seniors in college, though some test takers have been working
for several years, and are looking for a career change.
Conversely, most GMAT test takers have been out of college for at
least 1-2 years since business schools rarely admit students
without work experience. More than half of last year's GMAT test
takers were over 26.
TOEFL:
Test Of English as a Foreign Language. The TOEFL is required to
assess the English proficiency of people who speak English as a
non-native language. It is a required exam for those students
wishing to begin undergraduate or graduate study in the US. The
TOEFL is a computer exam which is given year round. There are 4
sections: listening comprehension, structure, reading
comprehension and writing.
USMLE:
United States Medical Licensing Examination. A medical student
must pass the USMLE in order to become a licensed physician in
the United States. In addition, any doctor licensed outside the
country must pass this exam to practice medicine in the US. This
test has three levels, called "Steps". The Step 1 exam is given
to second year medical students. Most people take the USMLE in
May-July or November-December.
NCLEX:
National Council Licensure Examination. A student must pass the
NCLEX in order to become a licensed registered nurse in the US.
Most nursing students take the exam within 3 months after
finishing nursing school. This correlates to a May-July test
"season."
