The SAT is published by the College Board and is one of the most common standardized tests. Many college-bound high school students take the test to fulfill admission requirements. The SAT includes math, verbal and writing sections.
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the GRE, which stands for Graduate Record Examination. This test is similar to the SAT with writing, quantitative and analytical sections. Many students take the GRE as part of the process of applying to graduate school.
The ACT, or American College Test, is an alternative to the SAT for high school students. It uses four sections instead of three, with reading, math, science and English questions to screen potential college students. While some colleges require the SAT, others ask applicants to complete the ACT, or give students a choice between the two.
The GMAT is the Graduate Management Admission Test. This exam is commonly taken by students applying to a graduate program in business or management, including students pursuing an MBA degree. The GMAT consists of writing, quantitative and verbal sections.
TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is commonly taken by international students pursuing study in the United States. The TOEFL consists of writing, reading, listening and speaking sections and tests a student's ability to understand spoken English, along with writing and speaking skills that will be necessary in an English-speaking university setting.
Law students take the LSAT, or Law School Admission Test, before being admitted to a law school graduate program. The test is administered by the Law School Admission Council and includes sections for logical reasoning, analytical reasoning and reading comprehension.
MCAT stands for Medical College Admission Test. This is the primary admission test students take when applying to medical school. The Association of American Medical Colleges oversees the MCAT.