Pick the right tests to secure postgrad admissions

LSAT - Law School Admissions Test
Most American Bar Association-approved law school require LSAT as part of their admission requirements. It is an important part of law school admissions in the U.S., Canada and few other international countries. The test takes place four times a year and the test registration deadlines are usually set a month before the test date. It is always advisable to take the test before December to apply for the next fall intake. The registration fee for the test and one free score report is $180. With five 35-minute multiple choice question sections, the test is scored on a scale of 120-180 points. The scores are valid for five years.
GAMSAT - Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test
This test is used for the selection of students for graduate entry programmes in medicine and health-related professions in Australia, U.K. and Ireland. The test takes place twice a year - in March and September - and there is no restriction on the number of times you attempt it. Universities will not be able to see your scores unless you choose to send them. The registration charge varies by country with $505 (including GST) in Australia, ?335 in Ireland or £262 in the U.K. The test is divided into three sections and the scores are mapped onto a scale from a high of 100 to a low of zero, and a score above 73 is generally considered high.
MCAT - Medical College Admission Test
MCAT is a standardised multiple-choice examination for prospective medical applicants in the U.S., Canada, Australia and Caribbean islands. With four separate sections, each section score ranging between 118-132 and the total score range is between 472-528. Most of the universities will not accept MCAT score that are more than three years old, but it is advisable to check with each individual university regarding their requirements. The test registration fees is $310, plus an international fee of $100.
GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test
This standardised test is designed for graduate programmes in business and management, particularly for MBA in most countries. Exam scheduling fees is $250 and it takes place throughout the year on specific dates. The test consists of three different sections with the total score ranging from 200-800. You may take the exam no more than five times within a 12-month period and no more than eight times total. The scores are valid for a period of five years.
GRE - Graduate Record Examinations
This standardised test is an admission requirement for graduate admission in the U.S. It is a broad test to assess your critical thinking and quantitative reasoning skills. Individual section scores are reported on a 130-170 scale with the analytical writing score reported on a zero to six scale. The scores are valid for a period of five years. You could take the test up to five times in a continuous rolling 12-month period.
Shyamala Elango is the Director, Educational Services, at Inner Universe. She can be reached at elango.shyamala@inneruniverse.org