A college entrance exam is a standardized test that is required to be admitted to a higher education institution. The type of college entrance exams vary globally from college to college.

The most common college entrance exams in the country are:

SAT: Also known as the SAT Reasoning Test, it measures a student’s readiness for college. The test is usually taken during the junior or senior years of high school.

ACT: The American College Testing Program is a competitor of the SAT. The test measures a student’s potential for academic success and consists of 4 main sections and an optional writing section. The ACT score is accepted by all 4 year colleges and universities in the United States.

GED: The General Education Development test, also known as the high school equivalency test is for students who have not completed high school. Upon taking and passing the test, a student can continue with his or her post-secondary school education.

LSAT: The LSAT is a standardized test required for admission to all ABA approved law schools in the United States. It is administered 4 times a year at various locations around the world. It measures the skills needed for success in law school and is administered by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC).

PSAT/NMSQT: The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized test that is a preliminary test to the SAT but also can be used to qualify for scholarships with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

MCAT: The MCAT is a computer-based standardized test for students seeking to enter medical school in the United States and Canada.
In addition to the college entrance exams listed above, certain states and colleges have their own entrance exams.