Studying abroad is a dream for most of the youngsters in India.  Quality of education is the primary reason why students and parents prefer overseas education. In addition to this most of the universities in foreign countries offer quite flexible courses allowing the students to switch between courses based on the student’s interest; this facility is not available in our country which has a rigid course structure.

Point taken! Yes studying at foreign universities does have its own merits, no doubt in that.  But while taking the decision you should not take it blindly that once you have acquired a foreign education your life is set.

Let’s have a look at The pros and cons of foreign education

Foreign degree: Will it get you a job in India?

It becomes more critical now for aspirants to ask this question as the prospects of finding a job abroad and settling there are diminishing.

Certainly, studying abroad makes your CV stand out. But how far does it help you in fetching a job back home? It becomes more critical now for aspirants to ask this question as the prospects of finding a job abroad and settling there are diminishing.
Vidya Iyengar examines The pros and cons of foreign education.

When Sujay Narayan flew back home after completing his master’s in the US, he was starry-eyed and high on hopes. He assumed he was in demand here and that his foreign degree would help him land a job of his choice, in a New York minute. His dismay, long after his return, the job hunt still continues.

Sujay is not a loner. Similar was the case of Amit Chatterjee, who finished his masters from a recognised foreign institution but has been unable to find a job in the area of his specialisation till date. “I invested so much of money thinking that when I complete the degree, I would be absorbed easily because of my international degree. However, now I am being turned down by companies I approach and the degree is not even being considered,” he says, adding that some companies say his specialisation is too niche and is irrelevant in India.

Giving up his job search, Chatterjee has now decided to prepare for MBA.

Fad for foreign universities

Why this turnaround? “HR managers at companies have a list of universities. If a particular university is not on their list of qualified universities, the candidate will not be considered for selection,” reasons Yogesh Saigal, a HR consultant, adding that many universities in London, Eastern Europe, Russia, Australia are not trusted. “No one knows about these universities and companies don’t trust them,” he adds.

There’s a fad for foreign studies. “India is reeling under a marketing bombardment. Foreign universities are wooing Indian students, especially those from the middle-income group, promising bright futures. With the Ivy-league colleges and Tier-1 universities being expensive and difficult to get into, students finally choose lesser-known universities,” he says.

On-campus interviews, no jobs for fresher’s

Saigal complaints about the IT industries. “Most companies just recruit on campus and are otherwise not looking for freshers. It’s actually a double whammy,” he rues.

That’s why; Sandhya Vijayan took what she calls a proactive turn. “I was aspiring to go abroad for higher studies when I joined college. But I later changed my mind.” She has just completed her graduation and waiting to join an international media organisation, which has its business site in Bangalore. “Yes, studying abroad is beneficial in many ways. Unlike in India, you begin at a much higher level and can expect a better pay.”

Foreign universities continue to entice Indian students with colourful dreams. While some choose a university in a country they like and set off to study there with a hope of finding a job and settling there after the studies, others think a foreign degree would give the candidate an edge when it comes to job interviews.

Students who study abroad tend to improve their English language skills, some see better career prospects. Overseas education can also be intellectually enriching and expose the students to a mix of cultures, making their learning comprehensive. “But I had to change my mind after bad news coming in. The crisis struck and the visa policy was recently changed in the UK, making it difficult for Indian citizens to find a job and settle there. So, I thought it wouldn’t be a wise thing to go abroad, unless one wants to go in for super specialisation. But I still believe the US is the best for research.”

Educationists and experts, too, recommend foreign institutions for higher studies and specialisation. It all depends on which kind of course you choose and in which subject you want to specialise in. Experts also warn students to choose the institution carefully, whether it’s Indian or foreign, and analyse the job prospects before choosing a course or institution.

Markets down, unemployment increasing abroad

When the markets are down and unemployment rates rising abroad, opting for just about any university abroad just makes matters worse. “A foreign degree does not ensure a job in India. Also most of the students go abroad to universities that are not well-recognised. Many of these universities don’t offer placement opportunities in India and students are left to look for jobs on their own. They have to try random companies and many end up in the BPO sector. Getting a job is not easy at all, unless they have connections,” said Kris Lakshmikanth, CEO and MD of search firm HeadHunters.

Choose the best

Unless a student gets into one of the few top universities, it is better to choose an acclaimed institute in India. “A good university in India counts much more than a foreign degree,” said Lakshmikanth.

A HR professional with a Bangalore-based firm echoes similar views: “It’s better for students to go in for a good or even an average university in India which is preferred by recruiters rather an average university abroad which does not add any value.”

Job prospects are diminishing abroad, with foreign governments supporting jobs for locals and tightening visa rules. Students like Ayaz Khan-who has completed his master’s in the US is struggling to find a job there and hoping to return to India.

Look for universities with hiring programmes

But still the count of students flying abroad to study continues to rise. Indian students are once again heading to Australia, with the perceived threat of physical violence having receded to a large extent. Indian students, according to an Australian Immigration Department report, top the list of visas granted in Australia.

To be on the safer side, Saigal tells students to go for institutes with good hiring programmes.

Source: DNAINDIA

Planning to apply to a college or university abroad, you will be asked to provide your entrance test scores. The main entrance exams are SAT, IELTS, GMAT, GRE and TOEFL.

If you are planning for under-graduate program then the SAT scores are important, while for graduate programs GMAT or GRE scores are required.  IELTS and TOEFL are for English language. These are standardised entrance exams. While these entrance exams are an important consideration in the admission process at schools abroad, you can still overcome a low score by displaying strengths in other areas, such as your school grades, your application essay, or your experiences.

Let’s have a look at these entrance exams and some other exams in detail.

Study Aboard – Which exams to appear?

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude test)

The SAT Reasoning Test (formerly Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test) is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States.

SAT (SAT Reasoning Test or SAT subjects Test or both) is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors. There is no criterion of minimum marks, for appearing in the SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject Tests, but several colleges need a good SAT score along with a good academic record. Some colleges specify the Subject Tests they require for admission or placement; others allow applicants to choose which tests to take.

ACT (America college test)

The ACT originally abbreviation of American College Testing) is a standardized test for high school achievement and college admissions in the United States produced by ACT, Inc.

The ACT is an all-multiple-choice test given five times a year. Standardized tests like ACT are designed to allow college admissions officers to judge all students by a common measuring stick. In addition, Admissions officers use these scores as a way to predict academic performance in the first year of college.

GRE (Graduate Record Exam)

A graduate or business degree can give you a big career advantage. An important step toward achieving that goal and the path to thousands of graduate and business programs all over the world is to take the GRE General Test.
Graduate programs and business schools use GRE scores to evaluate your readiness for graduate level work. The GRE General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills that are not related to any specific field of study.

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT, pronounced G-mat) is a Computer-Adaptive standardized test in mathematics and the English language for measuring aptitude to succeed academically in graduate business studies. Business schools commonly use the test as one of many selection criteria for admission into graduate business administration programs (e.g. MBA, Master of Accountancy, etc.) principally in the United States, but also in other English-speaking countries. It is delivered via computer at various locations around the world. In those international locations where an extensive network of computers has not yet been established, the GMAT is offered either at temporary computer-based testing centers on a limited schedule or as a paper-based test (given once or twice a year) at local testing centers.

MCAT (Medical College admission test)

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess the examinee’s problem solving, critical thinking, writing skills, and knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine. Scores are reported in Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences. Medical colleges consider MCAT exam scores as part of their admission process.
Almost all U.S. medical schools require applicants to submit MCAT exam scores. Many schools do not accept MCAT exam scores that are more than three years old.

TOFEL (Test of English as a foreign language)

The Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL evaluates the ability of an individual to use and understand English in an academic setting. It sometimes is an admission requirement for non-native English speakers at many English-speaking colleges and universities. Additionally, institutions such as government agencies, licensing bodies, businesses, or scholarship programs may require this test. A TOEFL score is valid for two years and then will no longer be officially reported since a candidate’s language proficiency could have significantly changed since the date of the test. Colleges and universities usually consider only the most recent TOEFL score.

The TOEFL iBT test, administered in an internet-based format, is an important part of your journey to study in an English-speaking country. In addition to the test, the ETS TOEFL Program provides tools and guides to help you prepare for the test and improve your English-language skills.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System which tests English proficiency across the globe. Conducting 1.4 million tests globally, IELTS is the world’s most popular English testing system. IELTS tests are held in over 500 centres with tests up to four times a month. IELTS respects international diversity and is fair to anyone who sits the test, regardless of nationality.

You can choose from two types of IELTS test: Academic or General Training, depending on whether you want to study, work or migrate. Both modules are made up of four parts Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. IELTS results are graded on the unique IELTS 9-band scale.

OET (Occupational English test)

The Occupational English Test (OET) is a language test for health practitioners who have qualified to practice in one country and wish to gain provisional registration to practice their profession in another which has an English-speaking context. The Test assesses English language proficiency as it is used in medical and health professions. The OET is administered by the OET Centre up to ten times a year and in over 40 locations around the world. The Test measures the language competency of health practitioners who are seeking registration and the ability to practice in an English-speaking context. It is designed to ensure that language competency is assessed in a relevant professional context.

I am sure that after reading this you are planning to go outside India for study, you have got the answer for your question – Study Aboard – Which exams to appear?

Source: http://www.siliconindia.com/Overseas_education/entrance_exams.html