ViaSphere Global Consultants
Tests & preparation

IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT, GRE & SAT

Explore the complete exam information available in the ViaSphere data: purpose, eligibility, format, sections, timing, scoring, delivery options, score policies, preparation, results, fees and official registration resources.

International admissions test

IELTS

International English Language Testing System

IELTS Academic is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate study. It assesses Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. IELTS also has General Training for other purposes.

Full guide

Duration

2 hours 45 minutes for IELTS Academic.

Score scale

Band 0–9

Typical audience

Applicants for undergraduate and postgraduate study, and applicants to professional programmes that require IELTS.

Score / format

Each skill is reported on a 0–9 band scale in half-band increments. The overall band is calculated from the four skill scores and rounded according to IELTS scoring rules.

Sections & test structure

Listening

~30 minBand 0–9

Four parts with 40 questions based on conversations and monologues in everyday and academic contexts.

Reading

60 minBand 0–9

Three academic reading sections using texts from books, journals, magazines and other sources.

Writing

60 minBand 0–9

Two tasks. Academic Task 1 uses visual information; Task 2 requires an essay response.

Speaking

11–14 minBand 0–9

An examiner-led speaking assessment covering familiar topics, an individual long turn and discussion.

Eligibility / who should take it

There is no general academic qualification required to sit IELTS. The institution, visa route or professional body determines the score and test type needed.

Delivery options

IELTS Academic is available at test centres and, where offered, online. Availability and acceptance of IELTS Online vary by institution and purpose.

Score validity / policy

Universities and organisations set their own score-acceptance policies. Check the target institution directly rather than assuming a universal validity period.

Fees

Test fees vary by country, test centre and delivery option. Use the official booking page for the current fee in your location.

Preparation checklist

  • Choose Academic or General Training based on the target purpose.
  • Check every university for overall and section minimums.
  • Use official sample questions and practise under timed conditions.
  • Build separate routines for Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking.
  • Review writing and speaking against the official assessment criteria.

Official resources

Academic test formathttps://ielts.org/take-a-test/test-types/ielts-academic-testSample test questionshttps://ielts.org/take-a-test/preparation-resources/sample-test-questions/academic-test
International admissions test

TOEFL

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)

The TOEFL iBT measures Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking in academic and practical contexts. Since January 21, 2026, the test uses an updated format and 1–6 score scale.

Full guide

Duration

Approximately 2 hours; adaptive testing means item counts and timing can vary.

Score scale

1–6 overall and section scale; comparable 0–120 overall score during the transition period

Typical audience

Students applying to institutions that accept TOEFL as evidence of English proficiency.

Score / format

Four section scores plus an overall score on the 1–6 scale. The overall score is the average of the four section scores rounded to the nearest half point.

Sections & test structure

Reading

Adaptive1–6

Tasks such as completing words and reading daily-life and academic material.

Listening

Adaptive1–6

Tasks based on conversations, announcements and academic talks.

Writing

Adaptive1–6

Tasks including sentence construction, email writing and an academic discussion response.

Speaking

Adaptive1–6

Listen-and-repeat and interview-style speaking tasks.

Eligibility / who should take it

TOEFL is intended for people demonstrating English proficiency for academic purposes. Universities decide whether and how they accept it.

Delivery options

TOEFL iBT is available at authorised test centres and as a Home Edition where offered. Check local availability and institutional acceptance before booking.

Score validity / policy

TOEFL scores are generally valid for two years from the test date; always confirm the target institution’s current policy.

Fees

Fees vary by test location and selected services. Use ETS registration for the current amount applicable to your location.

Preparation checklist

  • Check university acceptance and minimum section/overall scores.
  • Use ETS preparation resources for the current 2026 format.
  • Practise integrated academic English rather than vocabulary alone.
  • Take timed practice tests and analyse errors by skill.
  • Plan score reporting around university deadlines.

Official resources

Current test content and structurehttps://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/content.htmlCurrent score guidancehttps://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/scores/understand-scores.html
International admissions test

GMAT

Graduate Management Admission Test

The GMAT is a graduate business-school admissions assessment covering Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Data Insights.

Full guide

Duration

2 hours 15 minutes, plus one optional 10-minute break.

Score scale

Total 205–805; section scores 60–90

Typical audience

Applicants to MBA, management and other graduate business programmes that accept or require GMAT scores.

Score / format

The three section scores contribute equally to the total score. The current total score range is 205–805.

Sections & test structure

Quantitative Reasoning

45 min60–90

21 problem-solving questions focused on arithmetic, elementary algebra and quantitative reasoning.

Verbal Reasoning

45 min60–90

23 questions assessing reading comprehension and critical reasoning.

Data Insights

45 min60–90

20 questions assessing data analysis, interpretation and reasoning across different data formats.

Eligibility / who should take it

There is no general undergraduate degree prerequisite to sit the GMAT. Individual business schools determine admissions eligibility and testing requirements.

Delivery options

The current GMAT can be taken at a test centre or online, subject to local availability and GMAC rules.

Score validity / policy

GMAT scores are valid for five years from the test date.

Fees

Fees vary by delivery method and location. The official registration page provides the current fee before payment.

Preparation checklist

  • List target business schools and check their current GMAT policy.
  • Take an official diagnostic test.
  • Practise data interpretation and timed reasoning.
  • Use official GMAT practice questions and review mistakes systematically.
  • Plan the exam date early enough to receive and send scores before application deadlines.

Official resources

GMAT exam overviewhttps://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-examGMAT registrationhttps://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-exam/register
International admissions test

GRE

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE General Test)

The GRE General Test measures Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing skills relevant to graduate-level study.

Full guide

Duration

About 1 hour 58 minutes.

Score scale

Verbal 130–170; Quantitative 130–170; Analytical Writing 0–6

Typical audience

Applicants to graduate programmes and other programmes that accept the GRE General Test.

Score / format

Verbal and Quantitative are section-level adaptive. Analytical Writing is scored separately.

Sections & test structure

Analytical Writing

30 min0–6

One Analyze an Issue task requiring a focused, coherent written response.

Verbal Reasoning

41 min total130–170

Two sections assessing reading, vocabulary in context, reasoning and analysis of written material.

Quantitative Reasoning

47 min total130–170

Two sections covering arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis; an on-screen calculator is available.

Eligibility / who should take it

There is no universal degree prerequisite for taking the GRE General Test. The target graduate programme determines whether GRE scores are required, optional or not considered.

Delivery options

The GRE General Test is computer-delivered. Test-centre and at-home availability depends on location and current ETS rules.

Score validity / policy

GRE scores are reportable for five years following the test date.

Fees

Fees vary by location and may differ for additional services. Check the official ETS registration page for the current fee.

Preparation checklist

  • Check the target department’s current GRE policy.
  • Use official ETS practice material and a timed diagnostic.
  • Build vocabulary, reading-reasoning and quantitative fundamentals together.
  • Practise the Issue task using official scoring criteria.
  • Plan score reporting around application deadlines.

Official resources

GRE test structurehttps://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/prepare/test-structure.htmlGRE score reportinghttps://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/scores/get-scores.html
International admissions test

SAT

SAT college-admissions test

The digital SAT has two sections: Reading and Writing, and Math. Each section has two timed modules, with the second module adapting based on performance in the first.

Full guide

Duration

2 hours 14 minutes of testing time, plus a 10-minute break.

Score scale

Total 400–1600; each section 200–800

Typical audience

Primarily undergraduate applicants, including international students applying to institutions that use or accept SAT scores.

Score / format

The total score is the sum of Reading and Writing and Math section scores.

Sections & test structure

Reading and Writing

64 min200–800

54 questions across two 32-minute adaptive modules covering reading, language and writing skills.

Math

70 min200–800

44 questions across two 35-minute adaptive modules. A calculator is permitted throughout the Math section.

Eligibility / who should take it

The SAT is designed for college admission. Students should check the target institution’s current testing policy and any age or identification rules that apply at registration.

Delivery options

The SAT is delivered digitally using the College Board’s testing software at authorised test locations according to the published test calendar.

Score validity / policy

Colleges set their own policies for how they use SAT scores. Check the target college for its current application and score-reporting policy.

Fees

Registration fees and applicable international charges can vary. Use the official College Board registration page for the current amount.

Preparation checklist

  • Check whether target colleges require, recommend or accept SAT scores.
  • Use official Bluebook practice and College Board resources.
  • Practise both adaptive modules under timed conditions.
  • Review mistakes by content domain and question type.
  • Build a test calendar around application and scholarship deadlines.

Official resources

SAT overview and formathttps://satsuite.collegeboard.org/satSAT student guidehttps://satsuite.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/sat-student-guide.pdf

Choosing an exam depends on your target programme

English proficiency

IELTS and TOEFL are English-language proficiency tests. The accepted test and required overall/section scores are determined by each university and programme.

Admissions testing

GMAT is focused on graduate business admissions, GRE is used across many graduate programmes, and SAT is primarily used for undergraduate admissions.

Always verify the current requirement on the official university/programme admissions page before registering or sending a score.