To study abroad, students are often required to take specific standardised admissions or language proficiency tests as part of the admission process. These exams are mainly divided into two categories.

The first category includes English Language Proficiency Tests (ELPT), which assess skills such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Recognised English proficiency tests include IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, and Duolingo English Test (DET).

The second category includes admission tests such as SAT and ACT for undergraduate studies, and GRE and GMAT for postgraduate courses. Each exam serves a specific purpose depending on the country, university, and programme chosen, making the selection of the right test an important step in the study abroad application process.