Which Test for Which Country: GRE, GMAT, SAT, PTE or Duolingo?

SAT: for undergraduate applicants

To start with, the SAT is a digital test of about two hours and fourteen minutes. On top of that, Indian students pay a US$68 base fee plus a US$43 international fee, with GST on top.

Moreover, it matters more than it did a few years ago, because a growing list of top US universities, including MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Yale and Cornell, have made it compulsory again. Other schools stay test-optional, and NYU has confirmed it will remain so through the 2026-27 cycle. Even so, skipping the SAT at a test-optional school can still cost you a scholarship.

As a rough guide, 1200 is a reasonable baseline, 1350 to 1450 is competitive, and the most selective schools expect 1500 and above.

GRE: for master’s applicants, mostly in STEM

The GRE General Test now costs US$249 for registrations made on or after 1 August 2026, with a US$55 fee to reschedule or change your test centre. Also, you can take it at a centre or at home for the same price, and you must wait 21 days between attempts.

Meanwhile, many US programmes have made the GRE optional or waive it for strong CGPAs, while a few technical universities still expect it from Indian applicants. In other words, the programme page decides, not the general advice you read online.

Because the fee is paid again on every attempt, it is worth booking only once you are close to your target score.

GMAT Focus: for MBA and business master’s

First of all, the GMAT Focus Edition is the only version now. Specifically, it is a 2 hour 15 minute test scored from 205 to 805, with no essay section and a new Data Insights section in its place.

For context, a score of 645 sits around the 88th percentile, and the top global MBA programmes tend to look for 685 to 705 and above. Meanwhile, the base fee is US$275 at a test centre and US$300 online, and Indian candidates also pay 18% GST at checkout.

Better still, scores stay valid for five years, which gives you room to apply across more than one admission cycle. Also, many business schools accept the GRE as well, so compare both before you book.

PTE Academic: for admission and UK visas

PTE Academic costs ₹18,900 in India since 16 March 2026, and the same price applies to PTE Academic UKVI and PTE Core. That matters because the UKVI version is what you need if your UK university asks for a Secure English Language Test for your visa.

Overall, the test takes about two hours and is fully computer-based. In addition, Pearson added two new question types to the speaking and writing sections for tests taken after 7 August 2026, so use up-to-date practice material.

Duolingo English Test: the fast, low-cost option

The Duolingo English Test costs about US$70, takes roughly an hour from home, and returns results within 48 hours. Besides, score reports to any number of universities are free, and more than 6,000 institutions accept it, including nearly all of the top 100 US universities.

The catch, however, is the visa. It is not an approved UK Secure English Language Test, so even when a UK university accepts your Duolingo score for admission, you may still need a separate approved test for the visa.