The most popular standardized exam is the SAT, or Scholastic Aptitude Test. The SAT is administered by College Board a non-profit organization that colleges use to maintain academic standards. Not all colleges require the SAT, some colleges require the ACT, named after the company that developed it American College Testing. That company has since changed names to ACT Inc.

Since nearly everyone who gets a four year degree has to take either the SAT or ACT, those tests are by far the most popular college entrance exams and as a result there are many tools available to help students who must prepare for them. Students who go to community college and get two year degrees first may be able to skip the SAT and ACT.

Graduate schools require different exams depending on the program. Almost all law schools require the LSAT, also called Law School Aptitude Test. The exam is administered by the Law School Admission Council. The exam is notoriously difficult, not as difficult as the Bar Exam, but still a challenging exam. There are many programs available to help applicants prepare for the LSAT. While I believe that preparation can increase LSAT scores there is a limit to how much you can increase your score because the test focuses, at least in part on a person’s reasoning ability which doesn’t significantly improve after adulthood. I can say this from experience, I prepared for the LSAT exam and increased my score from approximately 155 to 172 on the day of the exam. I attribute the increase to familiarity and improved reading comprehension, not improved reasoning.

MBA programs, or Masters of Business Administration programs vary widely from program to program on which exam is required for admission. Almost all of them will accept the GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test from Graduate Management Admission Council. Some management schools will accept the Graduate Record Examination from ETS. The GRE is a more generalized exam that covers a broader section of subjects. Continue reading →