Admission Tests

Admissions tests help American universities judge the ability of a student to successfully complete a university program. They are intended to test acquired knowledge, as well as aptitude for further study in a particular field. The tests are necessary in the United States because "acquired knowledge" is not regulated by the government. It varies from state to state and even from school to school.

A. English Proficiency Tests.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

It is universally required of all students whose native language is not English. American colleges and universities require the TOEFL of entering first-year students, of those who have done some work in a European university and seek advanced standing, and of those who have the licence/licentiaat or doctorate and plan to undertake graduate study (post-university study) in the United States.

The TOEFL is now administered as a paper-based test in Belgium.

Since American universities attach more importance to the results achieved on this particular test than to any other guarantee of knowledge of English, students wishing to enter an American university are strongly advised to register for the October or November examinations (a year before they plan to go to the United States) and thus make test results available early to American universities.

The Test has four sections:

• Listening: Measures the ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America

• Structure: Measures the ability to recognize language that is appropriate for standard written English

• Reading: Measures the ability to understand short passages similar in topic and style to academic texts used in North American colleges and universities.

• Writing: Measures the ability to write in English on an assigned topic

The Computer-based test is reported on four scaled scores: Listening (0 to 30), Structure/writing (0 to 30), Reading (0 to 30), and a total score (0 to 300). Scores are valid for two years only. You can only take the computer-based TOEFL once in a calendar month.

When you register for the TOEFL test, you will receive free test preparation material.

The Commission owns several books which help prepare for the TOEFL. These books are available for consultation in the Advising Center.

The paper-based TOEFL test is given at the International School of Brussels. You can register by using the TOEFL-Bulletin which you can find in the Advising Center of the Commission or on the TOEFL-website.
Please refer to the Test Center list outside the United States of the TOEFL Information Bulletin for Computer-Based Testing outside Belgium.

The Test of Spoken English (TSE)

measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to communicate orally in English.The TSE consists of 9 items, each of wich requires examinees to perform a particular speech act, such as narrating, recommending, persuading and giving & supporting an opinion. The test
is delivered via audio-recording equipment and a test book. Your score record will consist of one score of communicative language
ability, wich is reported on a scale of 20-60. There are no passing or failing scores.  Each institution determines for itself what scores
are acceptable.More information is on the TSE-website. You can register by using the TSE-Bulletin which you can find in the Advising Center of the Commission or on the TSE-website.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The International English Language Testing System is administered by the British Council. Like the TOEFL, the IELTS covers the four basic language skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing). A growing number of American colleges and universities are now accepting IELTS results as a substitution for TOEFL scores. Click here for a list of American institutions that accept IELTS results for admission.Please contact the British Council Brussels for registration information and test dates. Email: exams@britishcouncil.be.

B. ACT/SAT I

Belgian and Luxembourg students wishing to enter an American college or university must, like American high school students, arrange to take one of the two basic standardized tests by the last year of their secondary studies. These standardized tests include (1) the ACT and (2) the SAT I. Your score on these tests is considered by colleges, along with secondary school records, personal factors, and numerous intangibles, in the admission decision-making process. Since both tests are universally accepted by universities in the US, students usually can choose which test to take. The earlier you take one of them the better - certainly no later than December so that test results get to the admissions officers on time.

(1) The ACT: The ACT test assesses the student's skills in English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science Reasoning. There is also an optional Writing exam for students applying to colleges and universities that want to see a Writing score.

In Brussels, the ACT is offered five times a year in 2010-2011 at the International School of Brussels and at the Antwerp International School in Ekeren:
October 23, 2010
December 11, 2010
February 12, 2011
April 9, 2011
June 11, 2011


In Luxembourg, the ACT is offered twice a year at the International School of Luxembourg in 2010-2011 in December and February.

All students testing internationally must go to www.actstudent.org, where they create their free student Web account and then follow the simple instructions to select a test date and test center and then register online. A credit card is needed to finalize their registration. Students then print their admission ticket, which they will take with them to the test center.

ACT composite scores range from 1-36. Since the ACT is curriculum-based, some US colleges and universities that normally require SAT II tests (see Section C, below, for information on SAT II) will exempt ACT examinees from taking them.

More information can be found on the ACT website.

(2) The SAT I: The SAT I is a three hours test containing verbal and mathematical sections. You get two scores – one for the verbal sections and one for the math sections. These scores range from 200 to 800. It is a multiple choice test offered on fixed dates a couple of times a year in Brussels. The SAT I, which shows whether students possess the necessary verbal and mathematical skills to succeed in college or university studies.
Complete information, descriptions and application forms for the SAT I test are available in the Advising Center or detailed information can be found on the Collegeboard website.

C. SAT II

Some US colleges and universities request students to also take the SAT II tests in addition to the ACT and/or SAT. The SAT II (known as subject tests) enables colleges to judge at what level a student might follow specific courses.
For the SAT II, you can register for 1 to 3 Subject Tests. Normally you will be asked to take 3 different tests. Unless you have received specific instructions from the universities where you are applying, you make take any three. The tests are each one hour long and are available in the following fields of study: Writing, Literature, American History & Social Studies, World History, Mathematics level IC & Mathematics level IIC, Biology E/M, Chemistry, Physics, French Reading Listening, German Reading and Listening, Modern Hebrew Reading, Italian Reading, Latin Reading, Spanish Reading and Listening and the English Language Proficiency Test (Reading and Listening). Because Europeans are stronger in language and science, we suggest that students take one or several Subject Tests to enhance their applications. The SAT II tests are held on the same dates as the SAT I, but you may not take both on the same day. When applying for September admission, you must take the SAT II no later than January.

Complete information, descriptions and application forms for the SAT II tests are available in the Advising Center or detailed information can be found on the Collegeboard website.

D. Payment of Test Fees

check the different websites

IMPORTANT NOTE

Unfortunately, these admissions tests are for the most part required of all foreign students for admission. The most important thing to remember is: don't worry about them too much. The results of these tests are only one element in your application. Admissions officers will be more interested in your academic results than in the results of these standardized tests. In addition, they realize that foreign students generally have lower verbal scores than American students and consider this normal. Scores in the mathematics sections are, however, usually just as good as Americans.

So ... don't be overanxious about these tests, but do take them in time!

Books to help prepare for the TOEFL, SAT I, and SAT II may be purchased from:

WATERSTONE'S
Boulevard Adolphe Maxlaan 71-75
B-1000 Brussels
Tel.: 02/219.27.08