Quick Facts
Quick Facts




ACT (American College Testing)

General Data

The ACT is a standardized test for high school achievement and college admissions in the United States produced by ACT, Inc.  The ACT has historically consisted of four tests: English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Reasoning. In February 2005, an optional Writing test was added to the ACT.

All four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. accept the ACT. 

The main four tests are scored individually on a scale of 1–36, and a Composite score is provided which is the whole number average of the four scores. The ACT is generally regarded as being composed of somewhat easier questions (versus the SAT), but the time allotted to complete each section increases the overall difficulty (equalizing it to the SAT).

Structure and Scoring

The required portion of the ACT is divided into four multiple choice subject tests: English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning.

Subject test scores range from 1 to 36. The English, mathematics, and reading tests also have subscores ranging from 1 to 18 (The subject score is not the sum of the subscores.)

The composite score is the average of all four tests. In addition, students taking the writing test receive a writing score ranging from 2 to 12, a combined English/writing score ranging from 1 to 36 (based on the writing score and English score), and one to four comments on the essay from the essay scorers. The writing score does not affect the composite score.

On the ACT, each question correctly answered is worth one raw point. Unlike the SAT, there is no penalty for marking incorrect answers on the multiple-choice part of the test.

English

The first section is the 45-minute English test covering usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills. The 75-question test consists of five passages with various sections underlined on one side of the page and options to correct the underlined portions on the other side of the page.

Mathematics

The second section is the 60-minute, 60-question mathematics test with 14 covering pre-algebra, 10 elementary algebra, 9 intermediate algebra, 14 plane geometry, 9 coordinate geometry, and 4 elementary trigonometry questions. Calculators are permitted in this section only. This is the only section that has five instead of four answer choices.

Reading

The reading section consists of four ten-question passages, from the realm of prose, humanities, social science, and natural science. The student gets 35 minutes to take this test.

Science reasoning

The science reasoning test is a 35-minute, 40-question test. There are seven passages each followed by five to seven questions.

Writing

The optional writing section, which is always administered at the end of the test, is 30 minutes long. All essays must be in response to a given prompt.

Registration:

www.actstudent.org


The ACT is offered in Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Bursa, Tarsus, Izmir at different dates.

Candidates may choose either the ACT assessment (), or the ACT assessment plus writing (.50). Scores are sent to the student, his or her high school, and up to four colleges.

Each ACT test costs 65 USD, ACT with writing costs 80.5 USD.

AP (Advanced Placement)

General Data

The AP is a program in the United States created by the College Board offering college-level curriculum and examinations to high school students. American colleges often grant placement and course credit to students who obtain high scores above a certain number on the examinations.

There are currently 35 courses and exams available through the AP Program.  Most of them are within the field of History, Economics, Literature & Culture, and Science.

Arts
  • AP Art History
  • AP Music Theory
  • AP Studio Art: 2-D Design
  • AP Studio Art: 3-D Design
  • AP Studio Art: Drawing
English
  • AP English Language and Composition
  • AP English Literature and Composition
History & Social Science
  • AP Comparative Government and Politics
  • AP European History
  • AP Human Geography
  • AP Macroeconomics
  • AP Microeconomics
  • AP Psychology
  • AP United States Government and Politics
  • AP United States History
  • AP World History
Math & Computer Science
  • AP Calculus AB
  • AP Calculus BC
  • AP Computer Science A
  • AP Statistics
Sciences
  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Environmental Science
  • AP Physics B
  • AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
  • AP Physics C: Mechanics
World Languages & Cultures
  • AP Chinese Language and Culture
  • AP French Language and Culture
  • AP German Language and Culture
  • AP Italian Language and Culture
  • AP Japanese Language and Culture
  • AP Latin
  • AP Spanish Language
  • AP Spanish Literature and Culture

Scoring & Grading

AP tests are scored on a 1 to 5 scale as follows:

5 - Extremely well qualified
4 - Well qualified
3 - Qualified
2 - Possibly qualified
1 - No recommendation

Total scores on the multiple-choice section are now based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points are no longer deducted for incorrect answers and, as was the case before, no points are awarded for unanswered questions.

Registration

https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home?navid=ap-ap

GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)

General Data

The GMAT is a computer adaptive test (CAT) which assesses a person's analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal and reading skills in standard written English in preparation for being admitted into a graduate management program, such as an MBA.

Registration: www.mba.com

To schedule an exam, an appointment must be made at one of the designated test centers. The GMAT may not be taken more than once within 31 days, even if the scores are canceled.

The cost of the exam is 0.

Structure

The GMAT exam consists of four sections: An analytical writing assessment, integrated reasoning, the quantitative section, and the verbal section. Total testing time is three and a half hours, but test takers should plan for a total time of approximately four hours, with breaks.

Section Duration in minutes Number of question
Analytical writing assessment 30 N/A
Integrated reasoning 30 12
Quantitative 75 37
Verbal 75 41

The quantitative and verbal sections of the GMAT exam are both multiple-choice and are administered in the computer-adaptive format, adjusting to a test taker’s level of ability.

Quantitative section

The quantitative section of the GMAT measures the ability to reason quantitatively, solve quantitative problems, interpret graphic data, and analyze and use information given in a problem. The use of calculators is not allowed on the quantitative section of the GMAT.

Verbal section

The verbal section of the GMAT Exam measures the test taker's ability to read and comprehend written material, reason and evaluate arguments and correct written material to express ideas effectively in standard written English. The question types are reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction questions. Scores range from 0 to 60, although they only report scores between 11 and 51.

Integrated reasoning (IR)

Integrated Reasoning is a new section (introduced in June of 2012) designed to measure a test taker’s ability to evaluate data presented in multiple formats from multiple sources. Like the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), this section is scored separately from the quantitative and verbal section. Performance on the IR and AWA sections does not contribute to the total GMAT score.

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)

The AWA consists of one 30-minute writing task - analysis of an argument. The analytical writing assessment is graded on a scale of 1 (the minimum) to 6 (the maximum) in half-point intervals.

Total Score

The total GMAT score ranges from 200 to 800 and measures performance on the quantitative and verbal sections together (performance on the AWA and IR sections do not count toward the total score, those sections are scored separately).

To take a free GRE prep test on-line please click


http://www.mba.com/the-gmat/download-free-test-preparation-software.aspx

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)

General Data

The GRE is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in the United States. The GRE General Test is offered as a computer-based exam administered by selected qualified testing centers.

Overall, the test scores are reported on a “130 to 170” scale. Test scores are valid approximately for five years although graduate program policies on the admittance of scores older than 5 years will vary.

Registration: www.ets.org/gre

The cost to take the test varies between 0 and 0, depending on the country in which it is taken.

Structure

The computer-based GRE General Test consists of six sections. The first section is always the analytical writing section involving separately timed issue and argument tasks. The next five sections consist of two verbal reasoning sections, two quantitative reasoning sections, and either an experimental or research section.

The entire testing procedure lasts about 3 hours 45 minutes. One-minute breaks are offered after each section and a 10-minute break after the third section.

Verbal section

The computer-based verbal sections assess reading comprehension, critical reasoning and vocabulary usage. The verbal test is scored on a scale of 130-170.

Quantitative section

The computer-based quantitative sections assess basic high school level mathematical knowledge and reasoning skills. The quantitative test is scored on a scale of 130-170.

Analytical writing section

The analytical writing section consists of two different essays, an "issue task" and an "argument task". The writing section is graded on a scale of 0-6. The test taker is given 30 minutes to write each essay.

Scores & Grades

An examinee will receive a score between 130 and 170. The scoring has been changed recently. Below is a chart that converts the former scoring with the new version.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

General Data

IELTS is an international standardised test of English language proficiency.

There are two versions of the IELTS; the Academic Version and the General Training Version:

YSTUDENTS MUST TAKE THE ACADEMIC VERSION

  • The Academic Version is intended for those who want to enroll in universities and other institutions of higher education  in an English-speaking country.
  • Structure

    All candidates must complete four Modules –

    Listening

    The module comprises four sections of increasing difficulty. Each section, which can be either a monologue or dialogue, begins with a short introduction telling the candidates about the situation and the speakers. Then they have some time to look through questions. The first three sections have a break in the middle allowing candidates to look at the remaining questions. Each section is heard only once.

    Reading

    In the academic module the reading test comprises three sections, with 3 texts normally followed by 13 or 14 questions for a total of 40 questions overall. The General test also has 3 sections. However the texts are shorter, so there can be up to 5 texts to read.

    Writing

    In the Academic module, there are two tasks. In Task 1, candidates describe a diagram, graph, process or chart. In Task 2, they respond to an argument. In the General Training module, there are also two tasks: in Task 1 candidates write a letter or explain a situation, and in Task 2 they write an essay.

    Speaking

    The speaking test contains three sections. The first section takes the form of an interview during which candidates may be asked about their hobbies, interests, reasons for taking IELTS exam as well as other general topics such as clothing, free time, computers and the internet or family. In the second section candidates are given a topic card and then have one minute to prepare after which they must speak about the given topic. The third section involves a discussion between the examiner and the candidate, generally on questions relating to the theme which they have already spoken about in part 2. This last section is more abstract, and is usually considered the most difficult.

    Duration

    The total test duration is around 2 hours and 45 minutes for Listening, Reading and Writing modules.

    • Listening: 40 minutes, 30 minutes for which a recording is played centrally and additional 10 minutes for transferring answers onto the OMR answer sheet.
    • Reading: 60 minutes.
    • Writing: 60 minutes.
    • Speaking: 11-14 minutes.

    SCORING

    An IELTS result or Test Report Form (TRF) is issued to all candidates with a score from "band 1" ("non-user") to "band 9" ("expert user")

    Institutions are advised not to consider a report older than two years to be valid.

    REGISTER

    British Council (2 weeks prior to the test date)
    IELTS Online Application Form
    http://www.britishcouncil.org.tr/ielts/Index.aspx

    IDP Education (1 week prior to the test date)
    IELTS Online Registration
    https://my.ieltsessentials.com/Account/LogOn?ReturnUrl=%2f

    An IELTS test costs 375 TL.

    SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)

    General Data

    The SAT is a standardized test for college admissions in the United States. It was first called the Scholastic Aptitude Test, then the Scholastic Assessment Test. The current SAT Reasoning Test, introduced in 2005, takes 3-hours and 45-minutes to finish.

    The SAT is offered six times a year in Turkey:

    October, November, December, January, May, and June.

    Candidates may take either the SAT Reasoning Test or up to three SAT Subject Tests on any given test date,

    Structure

    SAT consists of three major sections:

    Critical Reading

    The Critical Reading (formerly Verbal) section of the SAT is made up of three scored sections: two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section, with varying types of questions, including sentence completions and questions about short and long reading passages. Critical Reading sections normally begin with 5 to 8 sentence completion questions; the remainder of the questions are focused on the reading passages. Sentence completions generally test the student's vocabulary and understanding of sentence structure and organization by requiring the student to select one or two words that best complete a given sentence.

    Mathematics

    The Mathematics section of the SAT is widely known as the Quantitative Section or Calculation Section. The mathematics section consists of three scored sections. There are two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section, as follows:

    • One of the 25-minute sections is entirely multiple choice, with 20 questions.
    • The other 25-minute section contains 8 multiple choice questions and 10 grid-in questions. Unlike multiple choice questions, there is no penalty for incorrect answers on grid-in questions because the test-taker is not limited to a few possible choices.
    • The 20-minute section is all multiple choice, with 16 questions.

    Four-function, scientific, and graphing calculators are permitted on the SAT math section; the use of a graphing calculator in mathematics courses, and also becoming familiar with the calculator outside of the classroom, is known to have a positive effect on the performance of students using a graphing calculator during the exam.

    Writing

    The writing portion of the SAT, based on but not directly comparable to the old SAT II subject test in writing, includes multiple choice questions and a brief essay.

    The multiple choice questions include error identification questions, sentence improvement questions, and paragraph improvement questions.

    The essay section, which is always administered as the first section of the test, is 25 minutes long. Two trained readers assign each essay a score between 1 and 6.

    SCORING

    Possible scores range from 600 to 2400, combining test results from three 800-point sections (Mathematics, Critical Reading, and Writing).

    Register (at least three weeks before the test date).

    www.sat.collegeboard.org

    The SAT Reasoning Test costs 81 USD International.

    SAT Subject Tests (SAT II)

    SAT Subject Tests are 20 multiple-choice standardized tests given on individual subjects, usually taken to improve a student's credentials for admission to colleges in the United States.

    SAT: Most SAT Subject Tests are offered on the same day as the regular SAT Reasoning Test Students cannot take both the SAT Reasoning Test and Subject Tests on the same day.

    Every test is now a one-hour timed test.

    The language tests with listening are generally available only once a year, in November.

    Each individual test is scored on a scale of 200 to 800;

    The subjects offered are:

    • Literature
    • US History
    • World History
    • Mathematics
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Physics
    • French
    • German
    • Italian
    • Spanish
    • Latin

    A student may take up to three SAT Subject Tests on any given date.

    The test is offered in Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, Ankara, Tarsus, Erzurum.

    Registration

    sat.collegeboard.org

    The first Subject test costs 66 USD and 12 USD for each other test.

    TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

    The TOEFL is a test of an individual's ability to use and understand English in an academic setting.

    Three types of tests are administered:

    • TOEFL PBT (Paper based TOEFL)
    • TOEFL CBT (Computer based TOEFL)
    • TOEFL IBT (Internet based TOEFL)

    Since its introduction in late 2005, the TOEFL iBT format has progressively replaced both the computer-based tests (CBT) and paper-based tests (PBT).

    The IBT cannot be taken more than once a week.

    This four-hour test consists of four sections:

    Reading

    The Reading section consists of 3-5 passages, each approximately 700 words in length and questions about the passages. The passages are on academic topics; they are the kind of material that might be found in an undergraduate university textbook. Students answer questions about main ideas, details, inferences, essential information, sentence insertion, vocabulary, rhetorical purpose and overall ideas or fill out tables or complete summaries. Prior knowledge of the subject under discussion is not necessary to come to the correct answer.

    Listening

    The Listening section consists of six passages 3-5 minutes in length and questions about the passages. These passages include two student conversations and four academic lectures or discussions. Each conversation and lecture stimulus is heard only once. Test-takers may take notes while they listen and they may refer to their notes when they answer the questions.

    Speaking

    The Speaking section consists of six tasks: two independent tasks and four integrated tasks. In the two independent tasks, test-takers answer opinion questions on familiar topics. They are evaluated on their ability to speak spontaneously and convey their ideas clearly and coherently. Test-takers may take notes as they read and listen and may use their notes to help prepare their responses.

    Writing

    The Writing section measures a test taker's ability to write in an academic setting and consists of two tasks: one integrated task and one independent task.

    Task Description Approx. time
    Reading 3-5 passages, each containing 12-14 questions 60-100 minutes
    Listening 6-9 passages, each containing 5-6 questions 60-90 minutes
    Break 10 minutes
    Speaking 6 tasks 20 minutes
    Writing 2 tasks 50 minutes

    Test scores

    The TOEFL iBT test is scored on a scale of 0 to 120 points. Each of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) receives a scaled score from 0 to 30. The scaled scores from the four sections are added together to determine the total score. Each speaking question is initially given a score of 0 to 4, and each writing question is initially given a score of 0 to 5. These scores are converted to scaled scores of 0 to 30.

    80 is a general minimum requirement for many universities but each school has its own English proficiency requirement that must be checked.

    Registration

    www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/register

    Each test costs 185 USD