Admissions & Academic Testing
There are 8 admissions & academic testing credentials in the TestPrepPilot directory: 8 national certifications awarded by a single body, and 0 licences issued by individual state boards across 0 states.
College and graduate admissions, AP, CLEP, high-school equivalency, English proficiency and placement tests.
- Credentials
- 8
- Specialisms
- 4
- National
- 8
How do the main admissions & academic testing credentials compare?
Verified figures for 8 of the national admissions & academic testing credentials, drawn from each awarding body's published material. Fees change — confirm with the body before you book.
| Credential | Awarded by | Exam fee | Length | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMAT Focus Edition | Graduate Management Admission Council | $275-$350 | 2 hr 15 min | No pass mark; total 205 to 805 |
| GRE General Test | ETS | $220 | 1 hr 58 min | No pass mark; programs set their own expectations |
| Medical College Admission Test | Association of American Medical Colleges | $355 (US); plus $130 international | 7.5 hours total (about 6h15m testing) | No pass mark; schools set expectations |
| ACT | ACT, Inc. | ~$68-$93 | 2 hr 55 min | No pass mark; 1 to 36 Composite and sections |
| SAT | College Board | $69 | 2 hr 14 min | No pass mark; 400 to 1600 total |
| IELTS Academic | British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge University Press and Assessment | ~$245-$270 | ~2 hr 45 min + speaking | No pass mark; bands 0 to 9 |
| TOEFL iBT | ETS | ~$235 | ~2 hours | No pass mark; institutions set their own minimums |
| GED Test | GED Testing Service | Set by each state; commonly $32 to $46 per subtest | About 7.5 hours total; RLA 150, Math 115, Science 90, Social Studies 70 min | 145 per subtest and 580 total; 165 College Ready, 175 College Ready Plus Credit |
Graduate & Professional Admissions 3 credentials
- GMAT Focus Edition The current GMAT with Quantitative, Verbal and Data Insights sections and a 205 to 805 total.
- GRE General Test The standard US graduate admissions exam measuring verbal, quantitative and analytical writing skills.
- Medical College Admission Test The seven-and-a-half-hour medical school admissions exam scored 472 to 528 across four sections.
College Admissions 2 credentials
- ACT The Enhanced ACT is a 1 to 36 college-admission test covering English, Math and Reading, with optional Science and Writing, accepted at every US four-year college.
- SAT The digital, adaptive SAT is the most widely used US college admissions test, scored 400 to 1600 across Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and Math.
English Proficiency 2 credentials
High School Equivalency 1 credential
Frequently asked questions about admissions & academic testing credentials
How many admissions & academic testing credentials are there?
There are 8 admissions & academic testing credentials in the TestPrepPilot directory: 8 national certifications awarded by a single body, and 0 licences issued by individual state boards across 0 states.
How much do admissions & academic testing exams cost?
Across the 8 national admissions & academic testing credentials we have verified fee data for, exam fees run from $32–$355. Renewal, membership and study-material costs are additional and vary by awarding body — each guide breaks out its own full cost table.
Do you need a certification to work in admissions & academic testing?
None of the 8 credentials in this field is a state-issued licence — all 8 are national certifications awarded by a professional body. That usually means the certification is not legally mandatory, but employers, insurers or clients may require it as a condition of the work.
Which admissions & academic testing credential should you start with?
Start with the one your target employer or state board names. The most widely recognised national options in this field are GMAT Focus Edition, GRE General Test, Medical College Admission Test — each has a full guide with eligibility rules, fees and a week-by-week study plan.
How often do admissions & academic testing requirements change?
Fees are revised most years and eligibility rules change whenever a state legislature or awarding body acts. Every guide on TestPrepPilot links to the primary regulatory source it was verified against, and the "Sources" section is the authoritative place to confirm current figures before you book.