Education after high school is highly competitive and rigorous, which is why colleges, universities, and graduate schools require testing to prove that students are capable of handling the pressures of undergraduate and graduate work. Undergraduate education usually consists of students trying to achieve associates or bachelor’s degrees, whereas graduate education includes students who have bachelor’s degrees and want to achieve their masters and/or doctorate. Undergraduate admission exams consist of two test, the Academic College Testing (ACT) and the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). Scores to these tests often help determine admission into college and possibly the type of financial reward or aid that a student is able to receive.  Graduate admission exams include the Graduate Record Examination, or the GRE, an exam that reviews a student’s knowledge gained during undergraduate education. Other tests like the GRE exist but have a focus on a certain field including test such as these: the Graduate Management Admission Test, or the GMAT, the Law School Admission Test, or the LSAT, the Medical College Admission Test, the Pharmacy College Admission Test, or the PCAT, the Dental Admission Test or the DAT, and the Optometry Admission Test, or the OAT.

Undergraduate Exams- ACT

The ACT was first created as a test that could compete with the more popular SAT, and is accepted throughout the U.S. Some universities put more emphasis on scores from one test to the other, as do some regions of the United States. The ACT generally consists of four components which are English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Reasoning. However, a writing test was added as an optional feature in later exams. Scores on the ACT can determine admission into a university as well as scholarship eligibility.

• The ACT-The official website for the ACT.
• ACT Student– A website for students who wish to register for the ACT. This site also includes information about dates, deadlines, scores, and other useful information.
• All four-year U.S. colleges now accept ACT test-A news article explaining the growth of the ACT test.
• ACT Test Preparation-Contains different options for students that want to prepare for the ACT.
• ACT Test Study Guide (PDF)– A detailed study guide for students that want to study for the ACT.

Undergraduate Exams-SAT

The SAT is one of the oldest standardized tests around, and for the longest time was the only standardized test accepted at some universities. This test includes three sections: Critical Reading, Mathematics, and Writing. Like the ACT, scores on the SAT are used to determine admission and financial aid.

• College Board– The official site of the SAT which includes information about the test and registration.
• A Brief History of the SAT– A look at the history of the SAT.
• College Test Prep Takes a Test– A research report that compares different types of SAT preparation courses and plans.
• SAT Study Strategy-Information on how to improve an SAT score.

Graduate Exams-GRE

The GRE is an exam for students who are graduating or have graduated and who wish to go to graduate school. This tests reviews general information acquired during undergraduate education and consists of six sections: Analytical writing, two verbal reasoning, two quantitative reasoning, and an experimental/research section. GRE scores are used to determine admission into graduate schools.

• Educational Testing Services– Official website of the GRE that includes information about the test.
• GRE Test Prep-A list of test preparation sites for the GRE.
• What is a Good Score on the New GRE?-Information about the current GRE as well as information on scoring.

Graduate Exams-GMAT

The GMAT is a graduate exam that is intended for students seeking higher education in management careers. People applying for graduate degrees in management are required to take this exam. The GMAT consists of a verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing section.

• The Official GMAT Web Site-The official website for the GMAT exam.
• Graduate Management Admission Council-Information from the Graduate Management Admission Council on the GMAT.
• GMAT Practice Test– Practice test for the GMAT.

Graduate Exams-LSAT

The LSAT is a graduate exam that is geared towards law students. Students applying for law school must take this exam. The LSAT consists of two logical reasoning sections, a reading comprehension section, an analytical reasoning section, an unscored variable section that is used to test new questions for tests in the future, and a writing sample section.

• Law School Admission Council-Official website for the LSAT.
• Recommend LSAT Study Guide(PDF)- A study guide for the LSAT.

Graduate Exams-MCAT

The MCAT is a graduate exam that was made for medical students. Students who are working towards careers in higher medical fields must take this exam. The MCAT contains four sections: Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Verbal Reasoning, and Writing Sample.

• Association of American Medical Colleges-Official site for the MCAT.

Graduate Exams-PCAT

The PCAT is a graduate exam for pharmacology students. Students applying for a pharmacy college must take this exam. This test includes seven sections which are Verbal Ability, Quantitative Ability, Biology, Chemistry, Reading Comprehension, and two writing sections.

• Pharmacy College Admission Test– Official site for the PCAT.
• Pearson Assessment & Information– Information on the PCAT including dates and registration.
• American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy-Information on the PCAT from the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP).
• The PCAT: The Pharmacy College Admissions Test– A summary of PCAT as well as tips for preparation.

Graduate Exams-DAT

The DAT is a graduate exam aimed at prospective dental school students. Students who wish to apply to dentistry school must take this exam. The DAT contains four sections with several subsections: Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning.

• American Dental Association-Official site for the DAT from the American Dental Association.
• Take the DAT– An overview of the DAT from the American Dental Education Association.

Graduate Exams-OAT

The OAT is a graduate exam that assesses a student’s qualification for optometry schools. Students wanting a career in optometry must take this exam. This exam contains four sections: Natural Sciences, Reading Comprehension, Quantitative Reasoning, and Physics.

• Frequently Asked Questions about the Optometry Admission Test (OAT)-A list of common questions about the OAT provided by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry.
• OAT-Optometry Admission Test– An overview of the OAT including information about scoring.
• An Optometry Admission Test Study Guide– A study guide for the OAT for each section.