study abroad

Study in USA | Study Abroad in USA

2009-12-10T23:34:00.000-08:00

Any aspirant who wants to pursue his or her dream education anywhere abroad surely thinks about going to the USA (United States of America) at least once. This is because international students believe that an American education degree would attract best career options for them later in life. Most of the US schools, universities and colleges are constantly ranked in the top most positions in international ranking. The United States of America has more institutions of higher learning than any other country in the world. Importantly, the quality of most of the educational bodies in the USA is world-class.

Many of the American schools and universities offer top rate education programs with highly qualified teaching staff. The research works at many of these Universities are technically sound and often published in journals worldwide. The students who study in the US are exposed to an
environment where they can update their knowledge about recent technological developments. Moreover, they get frequent oppurtunities to meet and even study with the leading scholars in their chosen field. The student-teacher relationship in the USA makes learning an enriching experience by encouraging individual students to have healthy interaction with the faculty.

Students studying in the USA will have many opportunities to join planned and informal activities to spend their leisure and study hours with other students. This will enhance their English language skills. They can learn more sbout US culture from their fellow students along with all the other diverse cultures that are represented in US campus by other foreign students.
Ultimately, earning an educational degree from the USA may become the best possible oppurtunity for an overseas student.

College Admission Procedures in US
Compared to other countries, admission procedures of US universities, schools, colleges and instittes are highly competitive for international students. The procedure is even more competitive in the top educational institutes. To earn admission in the to and high-ranking schools in USA you must have:

Good grades,
Adequate financial support either by achieving scholarship or merit based
financial aids,
Completed challenging coursework, and
Good command over the English language.

Apart from the above said qualities, students must be competent enough to fulfill the individual school's eligiblity criteria because most of the US schools follow seperate admission guidelines that foreign students have to follow. For the overseas students, a good score in the entrance exam can secure admission on the top US schools and universities. Since the admission for international students is highly competitive and unpredictable in the USA, it is always better to apply for more than one college. Many of the American schools will ask the students for recommendation letters from their past educational organizations for admission. Some schools in the USA admit students on the basis of application essays. So, while applying to the schools, ensure that you write the application essays with best of your writing skills.

GRE TEST | ABOUT THE GRE TEST | Free GRE Preparation Materials

2009-12-10T23:11:00.000-08:00

The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) testing is for admission to non-business graduate schools, such as psychology, history, and engineering. With a good score in GRE it becomes easier to obtain admission, teaching assistantships and merit-based scholarships.

GRE General Test Overview
The GRE General Test measures verbal reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study.

Verbal Reasoning
The skills measured includes the test taker's ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it analyze relationships among component parts of sentences recognize relationships between words and concepts.

Quantitative Reasoning
The skills measured include the test taker's ability to understand basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis reason quantitative setting.

Analytical Writing
The skills measured include the test taker's ability to:

articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
examine claims and accompanying evidence
support ideas with relevant reasons and examples
Sustain a well-focused, coherant discussion
control the elements of standard written English

GRE FACTS
The GRE is composed of Analytical Writing, Verbal and Quantitative sections.

Registrarion Fee is $160
Candidates and designated institutions receive test scores within 10 to 15
days of test administration.
The total score is 1600 (Verbal and Quantitative)
Two essays: 0 to 6
The test is open through out the year.
The test takes up to 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The score is valid for 5 years from the date of the test.

For free GRE TEST Preparation click here

GMAT | GMAT FREE SAMPLE QUESTIONS

2009-12-10T23:00:00.000-08:00

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a standardized assessment; delivered in English; that helps bussiness schools assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in bussiness and management. Schools use the test as one predictor of academic perfomance in an MBA program or in other graduate management programs.

What the GMAT Test Measures ?
The GMAT exam measures basic verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills that you have developed in your education and work, It does not measure:

your knowledge of business,
your job skils,
specific content in your undergraduate or first university course work,
your abilities in any other specific subject area, or
subjective qualities such as - motivation, creativity and interpersonal skills.

Format and Timing
The GMAT exam consists of three main parts, the Analytical Writing Assessment, the Quantitative section, and the Verbal section.

Anlytical Writing Assessment

The GMAT exam begins with the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). The AWA consists of two seperate writing tasks-- Analysis of an issue and Analysis of an Argument. You are allowed 30 minutes to complete each one.

Analytical Writing Assessment
The GMAT exam begins with the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). The AWA consists of two seperate writing tasks-- Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument. You are allowed 30 minutes to complete each one.

Quantitative Section
Following an optional ten-minute break, you begin the Quantitative Section of the GMAT exam, This section contains 37 multiple-choice questions of two questions types-- Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving. You are allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section.

Verbal Section
After a second optional ten-minute break, you begin the Verbal Section of the GMAT exam. This section contains 41 multiple choice questions of three question types-- Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction. You are allowed a maximum of 75 minutes to complete the entire section.

GMAT FACTS
Measures verbal, mathematical and analytical writing skills:
The total score ranges from 200 to 800 (Verbal and Quantitative)
Two essays: 0 to 6
Candidates receive scores after 20 days from the date of the test.
The score is valid for 5 years from the date of the test.
Registration Fee is $250
The test is open through out the year
The test takes up to 3 hours 50 minutes

For GMAT SAMLE QUESTIONS CLICK HERE

SAT AND ACT | SAT Vs ACT

2009-12-10T22:46:00.000-08:00

Depending on your particular strengths and weakness, you may perform much better on one test than the other. As a result, many students embarking on the admission process are now considering both the SAT and ACT to figure out which test provides a better showcase for their abilities.

	SAT	ACT
Preferred by	Private schools; schools on West coasts	-
How Questions Appear	Order of difficulty	No order of difficulty
Score Choice	No	Yes
Highest Math Level	Algebra/Basic Geometry: Test Supplies all formulas	Trigonometry (only 4 question): Test booklet rearely provides formulas
Skill Heavily Tested	Vocabulary and Reading: Math	Grammer and Reading Math
Penalty for Wrong Answers ?	Yes	No
Based on School Curriculum?	Less	More
Style of test	Tricky, with many distracters	More straightforward, with fewer Distracters
Structure of Test	Verbal: two 30-min, sections, one 15-min section Math: two 30-min, sections, one 15-min section Experimental: one 30-min, verbal Or math section	English: one 45-min section Math: one 60-min section Reading: one 35-min section Science Reasoning: one 35-min section Experimental: added to test on certain dates:clearly added on
Where It's Offered ?	Seven time per year	Six times per year: February
	Late January	April
	Late March or early April	June
	Early May	September (in 13 sates only)
	Mid October	October
	Early November	December
	Early December
Scoring	200-800 for math and for Verbal, Added together for a composite score; median about 1000	1-36 for each subject, averaged together for a composite score; median about 21
When you should Register ?	At least six weeks before the Test date	At least four weeks before the test date
For more information	Educational Testing Service [ETS..] (609) 771-7600 The College Board	ACT (319) 337-1000 www.act.org; www.actstudent.org

ACT | ABOUT ACT TEST |

2009-12-10T22:35:00.000-08:00

ACT
The ACT includes a science reasoning test ; the SAT does not.
The SAT tests vocabulary much more than the ACT.
The SAT has a guessing penalty; the ACT does not.
The SAT has an experimental sections; the ACT does not have any.
The ACT tests English grammer; the SAT does not.

What is ACT ?
The pharse ACT denotes The American College Test. It is required for entry to undergraduate studies in the USA. Most undergraduate programs in the US will require you take the ACT. The ACT is designed to assess high school student's general educational development and their ability to complete college level work. The ACT is developed and administered by the ACT Universal Testing USA.
ACT organization is private non profit organization based in the US.

ACT [ Out Side United State ]
The ACT is designed to assess high school student's general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The multiple-choice test cover four skills areas; English, Mathematics, Reading and Science. The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay the ACT test is made up of four individual tests, each of which is designed to measure academic achievement in the major area: English, Mathematics, Reading and Natural Sciences.

SAT ACT ?

While the SAT and ACT are very different tests, they both fulfil the same role in the admission process. The SAT and ACT are designed to provide college admissions officers with two things; a predictor of the first year academic achievement in college, and a common yardstick to use in comparing students from a wide range of educational backgrounds. The ACT was traditionallyrequires by collages in the mid-west and the SAT was the test of students are taking the ACT, and the majority of the schools in the United States now accepts both SAT or ACT
test results.
Admission officers and educators often describe the difference between SAT and ACT in these terms: the ACT is a content based test, where as the SAT tests critical thinking and problemsolving. In fact, this contrast is not exately watertight. Many questions on the ACT test critical thinkingand there is a predictable range of material that's tested on the SAT. But the SAT and the ACT reward different attributes, so performing well on each test can all boil down to what kind of test taker you are.

Study Abroad

2009-12-09T01:07:00.000-08:00

Studying abroad is the act of a student pursuing educational opportunities in a foreign country. Typically classes taken while studying abroad award credits transferable to higher education institutions in the home country; however, students may pursue these opportunities at any age and may not require college credit. Students studying abroad may live in a dormitory or apartment with other students or with a "host family", a group of people who live in that country and agree to provide student lodging.

Length of study can range from one week, usually during a domestic break, to an academic year.
Topics of study can vary. Some students choose to study abroad in order to learn a language from native speakers. Others may take classes in their academic major in a place that allows them to expand their hands-on experience (e.g. someone who’s studying marine biology studying abroad in Jamaica or a student of sustainable development living and studying in a remote village in Senegal). Still other students may study abroad in order to explore topics within the framework of a different educational system (e.g. a student of English who goes to the United States to study American literature).

Financial aid for American students studying abroad
Student loans in the U.S.

Regulatory framework
Higher Education Act of 1965US Dept of EducationFAFSA Cost of attendance

Distribution channels
Federal Direct Student Loan ProgramFFELP

Loan products
Perkins · StaffordPLUS · Consolidation Loans
Private student loan
Amendments made in 1992 to the Higher Education Act of 1965, TITLE VI, SEC. 601-604[4] in the U.S. ruled that students can receive financial aid for study abroad if they are enrolled in a program that is approved by their home institution and would be eligible to receive government funding without regard to whether the study abroad program is required as a part of the student's degree. Federal law also states that financial aid can cover all "reasonable" costs for a study abroad program, including:
Round-trip transportation for the approved program
Tuition and fees for the program
Living costs incurred during the program
Passport and visa fees
Health insurance
To get government aid, students must complete the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). Funds are awarded by the United States Department of Education. As long as the issuing institution pre-approves the credit to be earned abroad, federal aid can be used toward study abroad programs.

Eligibility criteria for U.S. government aid
Be enrolled in an eligible (Title IV) institution as a regular student seeking a degree or certificate (This is your home institution, not the overseas school/institution.)
Be a citizen of the United States with a valid Social Security number
Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate
If you are a male, you must be registered for Selective Service
Have a result of Eligible or Partially Eligible on question 35 (drug-related conviction) of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Forms of government aid
Stafford Loan (FFEL)
PLUS Loan
Perkins Loan
Pell Grant

Other financing options

Private student loans
Private student loans are not guaranteed by a government agency, but generally offer higher loan limits, grace period with no payments due until after graduation, and base availability on credit history vs. financial need. Private loans are a good option:
If federal financial aid doesn't cover all study abroad tuition, living arrangements, and/or transportation costs
If a student is not eligible for federal financial aid
If a student is not currently enrolled in a U.S. college or university

Scholarships
Scholarships are offered by a number of organizations and foundations. Scholarships, like government grants, can be highly competitive, because students aren't required to repay the money awarded. Because of this uncertainty, it is not the most reliable method for paying for study abroad. Research into available scholarships and private grants should be initiated well in advance of a student's planned travel date, and/or private or government aid should also be sought.

iELTS | Secretes Inside Scoring In Ielts

2009-12-08T21:15:00.000-08:00

The IELTS is an entry level test in several English speaking countries in the world. A good IELTS score is mandatory for admission in the universities of UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. However, increasing numbers of institutions in the United States have also begun accepting IELTS scores as an alternative to TOEFL. Apart from a good IELTS score Universities also expect a Good GPA ( Grand Point Average ) from the students from their past education.

The IELTS test comprises of four Band Modules namely Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. All these four modules carry the samer weight age. Hence give equal importance to all the modules of IELTS in your preparation.

You will receive a seperate Band Score for each section. The four Band Scores , one for each section are added together and averaged for an Overall and Score. Each Band has a statement giving a summary of the English at that level. There are nine Band levels, from one (none-user) to nine (expert user).

Over IELTS band scores and Listening and Reading IELTS band scores are reportedin half bands. Writing and speaking band acores are reported in whole bands. This feature helps the Universities in following their guidelines at the time of admission. Test Reports have a validity of two years. You can retake the test if you do not achieve the desired score but not before three months form the first test.

IELTS secrete

A comprehensive Listening R eview with:

Understanding Main Ideas
How to Interpret Anything
Keys to Voice Changes
Finding the Hideen Meaning
Developing Memory Enhancers

A comprehensive Speaking Review with:

Exhausting the Possibilities
Telling a Story
One Size Fits All
Finding the Bridges
Pausing for Success
Taking the Final Step
Perfecting the ART

A comprehensive Reading Review with:

Determining the Relationships
Making Straregic Eliminations
Recognizing Switchback Words
Understanding Word Types
Finding the Right Opportunities
When Truth Doesn't Equal Correctness
Avoiding the Tap of Familiarity
Making Logic Work for You
Skimming Techniques to Save Time

A comprehensive Writing Review with:

Approaching a Topic
Brainstorming for Success
Picking a Main Idea
Starting Your Engines
Strength Through Diversity
Weeding Your Garden
Creating a Logical Flow
Avoiding the Panic
Checking Your Work

Toefl | The TOEFL iBT At-A-Glance

2009-12-08T21:05:00.000-08:00

The TOEFL is a test that evaluates a non native English Speaker's ability to read, listen, speak, and write in English through the use of multiple-choice and student response question. There are four sections in the test:

Reading: 60-100 minutes, 3-5 passages, 12-14 questions per passage.
Listening: 60-90 minutes, 34-51 questions.
Speaking: 6 tasks with 15-30 seconds to prepare and 45- 60 seconds to speak.
Writing: 50 minutes, 2 Writing tasks.

Intergrated Tasks
Some question in the speaking and writing sections require you to speak more than one skill. You will be asked to.

Read, listen and then speak in response to a question.
Listen and then speak in response to question.
Read, listen and then write in response to a question.

What is the Internet Based Test's Format ?

The test includes four sections and takes about four [4] hour to complete.
The table below shows details of it.

Section	Contain	No. of question	Time	Score Scale
Reading	3-5passages	36-70	60-90 Minutes	0-30
Listening	6 Passages	34-51	60-90 Minutes	0-30
Break			10 Minutes
Speaking	6 Tasks	6 Questions	20 Minutes	0-30
Writing	6 Tasks	2 Questions	50 Minutes	0-30
Total		178-129 Questions	180-240 Minutes	120

Study in Australia | Scholarships In Australia

2009-12-07T23:07:00.000-08:00

Live

Australia is one of the best places in the world to live while you learn. The standard of living is amongst the highest in the world, yet costs remain competitive. On your breaks from study, you will have a wide choice of activities to enrich your experience - from cultural festivals, concerts and museums, to major sporting events

Learn

Australian education has a strong international reputation for excellence. Whether you study at a university, school, vocational or English language institute, you will receive a quality education that will form a strong foundation for your future success.

Grow

The benefits of living and learning in Australia are both personal and academic. Your years in Australia will give you the best platform to succeed in your career, and prepare you for the challenges of the work place. It won’t just be your mind that develops - your time in the classroom will change you as a person.

Use this website to find out about courses, institutions, studying and living costs, the application process, visa requirements and much more. If you’ve already decided on an institution, use the search function to learn more about that university, training course or language school.

If you haven’t decided yet, let our Study Wizard guide you through all the steps of selecting a course and enrolling to study in Australia. You can also use the Student Response Facility if you can’t find the information you are looking for.

Australia is the perfect place to live, learn and grow.

Australian Scholarships

Australian Scholarships brings together and expands existing scholarship programs in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions that are managed by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Further information can be found at www.australianscholarships.gov.au

There are three programs available under Australian Scholarships. They are:

Endeavour Awards – The Endeavour Awards is the Australian Government’s internationally competitive, merit-based scholarship program providing opportunities for citizens of the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions to undertake study, research and professional development in Australia. Awards are also available for Australians to do the same abroad. A smaller number of Awards are available for participants from Europe and the Americas. The Endeavour Awards provide individuals with a unique opportunity to further their academic or professional careers. Further information can be found at: www.endeavour.deewr.gov.au

Australian Leadership Awards (ALA) – focus on developing leaders who can influence social and economic policy reform and development outcomes in both their own countries and in the Asia-Pacific region. ALAs provide scholarship support for postgraduate studies in Australia and short-term fellowship opportunities in specialised research, study or professional attachments through participating Australian organisations. Further information can be found at: www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar

Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) – aim to contribute to the long-term development needs of Australia's partner countries to promote good governance, economic growth and human development. ADS provides people with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive change and influence the development outcomes of their own country, through obtaining tertiary qualifications at participating Australian institutions. Further information can be found at: www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar

Other funding sources

International and charitable organisations offer scholarships for international study. You must apply for these scholarships in your home country, not in Australia.

The Association of Commonwealth Universities website provides a scholarships guide for Commonwealth postgraduate students offered by Governments, Rotary International, World Bank, World Health Organisation, Asian Development Bank, United Nations, Rockefeller Foundation and other organisations.

Ielts | Practice IELTS Online | Free Ielts Resources

2009-12-07T22:28:00.000-08:00

Free IELTS exam preparation can be difficult to find on the Internet. The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test provides an evaluation of English for those who wish to study or train in English. It is very similar to the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) required by North American universities and colleges. IELTS is a jointly managed test by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, British Council and IDP Education Australia.

We have gathered together the best of the free IELTS exam preparation materials. Check them out for yourself.

Easy Reading Exercises:	Hunting Whales
	Nature Sounds
	Timber or Trees?
	Tuna Dolphins
	Simon's Birthday Present
	Christmas Present
	Peter the Teacher
	Two Sisters and a Cat
	Volcanoes by the Sea
	Fight Pollution
	Milk Prices
	5 stories about Nasreddin
	Computer Virus
	Computers in the Classroom
	Hate Crimes
	Polics Find Drugs
	Abortion Pill
	Assisted Suicide
	Organ Donation
	Teen Suicide
	Lookign for a Job

Intermediate Reading Exercises:
	Earthquakes in Japanese schools
	The Death Car
	The Choking Dog
	Hiker
	The Carpet Fitter
	The American Pepper
	The Donkey and the Grasshoper
	The Father and his Sons
	The Kingdom of the Lion
	The Musical Fisherman
	The Tortoise and the Hare
	The Thirsty Pigeon
	The Great Depression

Advanced Reading Exercises:	Pulp Fiction
	Repression in Burma
	Earthquakes in Japan
	Volcanoes
	Dinosaurs
	Lawrence of Arabia
	The Great Depression
	Japanese History
	The Century of Changes
	Civilisation of China
	Wild Children
	Einstein
	Dalai Lama
	Computers and Girls
	Hackers Flood Websites
	The Internet
	Eye Charts
	The Future of Communications
	Internet Watchdog
	The View from Space
	New Ways to Fly
	Christmas in the UK
	Sporting Fever
	Divorce
	The Malay Archipelago

Speed Reading:

Speed Reading

Writing Argumentative Essays:	Occasions for Argumentative Essays
	Writing Argumentative Essays

Publishing Company Downloads: Publishing company downloads

Listening part

http://www.esl-lab.com
http://www.cross-link.com/ielts-tutor.html
http://international.holmesglen.vic.edu.au/IELTS01.htm
http://www.uefap.co.uk/

We think these free resources helped a ot for improving your IELTS preparation online. All the best for your IELTS exam.

Top Destinations For Abroad Study

2009-12-07T21:35:00.000-08:00

Do you know the best countries to study abroad? The team at StudyAbroad.com has spent years researching the ideal study abroad countries, from A-Z (Armenia to Zimbabwe), and all the fashion capitals and artistic hot spots in between.

Do you want a study abroad destination country where you can explore architecture at the Taj Mahal or marine sciences at the Great Barrier Reef? How about international business in China or the history of civilization in Greece? Do you want to build a global network of friends and perhaps even future employers from all sorts of countries abroad?

Then what are you waiting for? Follow these links to search study abroad destination countries that are perfect for you. Whatever your needs and interests may be.