Testing and academics
TOEFL or IELTS Waivers for Indian Students
Many universities waive TOEFL and IELTS for English-medium Indian schooling, but several never do. Waiver rules by university, Duolingo, costs and dates.
12 min read
Articles
Testing and academics
Testing and academics
Test-Optional 2026-27: Should Indian Students Submit SAT Scores?
Which US universities require the SAT or ACT in 2026-27, when an Indian applicant should submit or withhold at each tier, what to do with a 1350, and how readers see it.
10 min read
Testing and academics
Predicted Grades from Indian Schools: How to Get Them for UCAS
How CBSE, ISC and IB students get predicted grades for UCAS and the Common App: who enters them, percentage vs A1, low IB predictions and a brief for the school.
11 min read
Testing and academics
Do Class 10 Marks Matter for Studying Abroad?
Class 10 marks appear on the US transcript, matter at Hong Kong and Singapore, and are mostly ignored by the UK, Canada and Australia. What a bad Class 11 costs.
8 min read
Testing and academics
CBSE Percentage to GPA: How US Universities Read Indian Marks
Why you should not convert CBSE or ISC marks to a GPA, what US readers use instead, what to enter in the Common App GPA and rank fields, and how a Class 11 dip is read.
10 min read
Testing and academics
What SAT Score Do You Need for the Ivy League from India?
Middle-50 SAT ranges at all eight Ivies, which require scores in 2026-27, how an Indian score is read with the transcript, and when to stop retaking.
7 min read
Testing and academics
SAT vs ACT for Indian Students: Which to Take in 2026-27
Digital SAT and shorter ACT compared for Indian students: format, 2026-27 India test dates and fees, which US universities require scores, and how to choose.
9 min read
Testing and academics
IB vs CBSE for US and UK Admissions: Does the Board Matter?
How US and UK admissions read IB, CBSE, ISC and A-level transcripts from India: predicted grades, IB HL requirements, CBSE conversions and when to switch.
11 min read
Testing and academics
AP Exams for Indian Students: Who Should Take Them and How
Which Indian students should take AP exams, which subjects fit which majors, how to register in India for May 2027, the cost in INR, how admissions read them.
10 min read
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