What are the exams required to study in the USA?

I'm looking at US colleges and trying to figure out which exams I need to take. Is the SAT a must, or are there other important tests I should focus on as an international applicant?

As an international student, there are usually two types of exams you'll need to consider as you apply to U.S. colleges.

First, you'll likely need to take a standardized test, which most commonly is the SAT or ACT. The SAT and ACT do very similar things—they measure your aptitude in reading, writing, mathematics and scientific reasoning. Most colleges will accept either test, so you can choose which one suits your strengths better.

However, as of the 2024-2025 application cycle, some schools have discontinued their test-optional policies. These schools, including Dartmouth, Harvard, Brown, Yale, UT Austin, and Caltech, now require all applicants to submit an SAT or ACT score. On the other hand, several highly selective schools such as Columbia, Princeton, Stanford, UPenn, Johns Hopkins, NYU, and UChicago are still test-optional. That means these schools do not require SAT or ACT scores but will consider them if submitted.

Please also note that as of 2024, the SAT is fully digital, and it has two major sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. There's no longer a separate essay section.

Next, as an international student, you'll also likely be required to take an English language proficiency test, if English is not your first language. The most common of these are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the PTE Academic. These tests assess your listening, reading, speaking, and writing in English.

Requirements can vary widely by school, so make sure to check the specifics for each school on your list. Each college's website should have a section dedicated to requirements for international applicants.

Good luck with your applications!