Student Testing
Standardized Admissions Tests & Professional Licensing Exams
The Educational Resource Stations have limited copies of the application materials for the standardized university admissions tests required for admittance to an undergraduate American institution. All admission test application and informational brochures for undergraduate, graduate and professional licensing exams are available on the internet.
Undergraduate Admissions Tests
American College Testing Assessment (ACT)
The ACT exam is offered six times a year at numerous testing sites throughout Switzerland. Students must register online at http://www.actstudent.org/. The deadline for contacting the test center is approximately five weeks before the scheduled test date. There is a standby option for international students. Test center contact information and additional ACT exam information is available on the ACT web site.
Important links for the ACT:
Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) I & II
The majority of the four year US universities and colleges require that undergraduate applicants take either the SAT or the ACT admissions tests as part of the application process. Community colleges/two year colleges often do not require either test as part of the admissions process. In Switzerland most students will take the SAT tests. They are offered 6 times per year at numerous testing sites located around Switzerland.
Important links for the SAT:
Please Note: If you have missed the SAT registration deadline, you might be able to take the exam on standby. Please read the SAT standby information in the SAT registration booklet for more details.
Postgraduate Admissions Tests
Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
http://www.gmat.org
Most US graduate business or management-related programs require that applicants take the GMAT as part of the application process.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
http://www.gre.org
The GRE is usually an admissions requirement for most graduate programs other than business or law.
Law Schools Admission Test (LSAT)
http://www.lsat.org/
US law schools require that applicants take the LSAT as part of the application process.
Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
http://www.aamc.org/
Medical schools in the US require that applicants take the MCAT as part of the application process to the MD program.
English Language Test
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
http://www.toefl.org/
The majority of universities and colleges in the US require that non-native English speakers must take the TOEFL as part of the application process in any undergraduate, postgraduate, or professional degree program. Other English language certificates or diplomas may be accepted instead of the TOEFL, but you will need to confirm this with each institution. Non-native English speakers who have completed a number of years in an English language educational system may be exempt from taking the TOEFL, but you will need confirmation this with each US university.
Professional Licensure Exams
Commission Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)
http://www.cgfns.org
Registered nurses who have been educated in a nursing program outside the US will have to take the CGFNS exam as part of the licensing requirements to work as a registered nurse in the US.
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (USMLE)
http://www.ecfmg.org
Medical doctors (or medical students) who have been educated in a medical program outside of the US will have to take the USMLE exam as part of the licensing requirements to work, participate in a medical residency or educational fellowship in the US.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
http://www.toefl.org/
The TOEFL is required of all medical doctors/students and registered nurses who have been educated outside the US or who were not educated in an English-speaking country.
Test Preparation
It is recommend that a prospective test taker spend considerable time becoming familiar with the tests. How much time will be required in preparation for the test will depend on each test taker. Test preparation books and computer software are an enormous help in preparing for each individual exam.