High School: Higher Education
Grade 12 and 13 students wishing to apply to university or college must begin their
admission test preparations early.
During each academic year, numerous university admission teams from around world
travel to EIS – Jumeirah to present information on their university to our students.
Excursions are arranged in order for students to attend the career and university
events that are held in Dubai.
Further information is available from:
Higher Education Advisor, Dr. Roy Forrest
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext: 295 or Email:
rforrest@eischools.ae)
Below are details of the four tests students may need to sit in order to submit
their applications and where you can find more information on the tests.
1. IELTS
Overview
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test for students
who must demonstrate English language proficiency to gain entry to universities
or training programmes in select English-speaking countries. For overseas candidates
wishing to study in tertiary institutions in the United Kingdom or Australia, in
particular, IELTS is the most widely recognised assessment of English language proficiency.
The IELTS test is divided into four parts, called (modules) or (subtests). The entire
test takes around 2 hours and 45 minutes. It covers the four language skills – listening,
reading, writing and speaking.
IELTS is jointly managed by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge
ESOL), British Council and IDP:IELTS Australia.
Further information is available from:
www.ielts.org.
Preparation
IELTS cannot be re-taken for three full calendar months. If you require a certain
band in the exam, you should take it early to ensure that you have enough time to
study and re-sit the test if necessary.
Test Dates
For test centres across Dubai search for dates at www.ielts.org.
The British Council also has a list of dates at www.britishcouncil.org/me-uae-ielts.htm
Registration
Registration is through the local examination centre (British Council Dubai – www.britishcouncil.org/me-uae-ielts.htm).
Details outlining the registration process and fee structure are available from
their website. Students are advised to register as early with the British Council
as early as possible. You must register in person at least 5 weeks prior to the
test date.
2. TOEFL
Overview
The Test of English as a Foreign Language™ (TOEFL) measures the ability of nonnative
speakers of English to use and understand English as it is spoken, written, and
heard in college and university settings.
ETS administers the paper-based test (PBT) four times a year around the world. In
Dubai students may elect to sit the Internet-based test (iBT) which is offered at
various times.
The TOEFL is divided into three parts. The paper-based TOEFL test measures Listening
Comprehension, Structure and Written Expression, and Reading Comprehension.
Further information is available from:
www.toefl.org.
Preparation
ETS provides the free sample questions and test preparation materials to anyone
who registers for the TOEFL exam worldwide. Registered students may also pay for
additional test preparation materials endorsed by ETS.
Students may also purchase a number of endorsed and non-endorsed TOEFL preparation
materials from book suppliers.
Registration
All registrations are through ETS. Details outlining the registration process and
fee structure are available from their website (www.ets.org).
Please note that mailed registrations must be received well before the test dates.
3. SAT REASONING TEST and SAT SUBJECT TESTS
Overview
The College Board administers the SAT Reasoning Test (Paper-Based) six times a year
in Dubai.
The SAT Reasoning Test (formerly SAT I: Reasoning Test), better known as the SAT,
is a three-hour and forty-five-minute test that measures critical reading, writing,
and mathematical reasoning skills students have developed over time and skills they
need to be successful academically.
The SAT consists of ten sections, including a 25-minute essay, each timed separately.
The essay will always be the first section of the SAT, and the 10-minute multiple-choice
writing section will always be the final section. The five other 25-minute sections
can appear in any order, as can the two 20-minute sections. Test takers sitting
next to each other in the same testing session may have test books with entirely
different sections.
In addition, there is one 25-minute unscored section, known as the variable or equating
section. This unscored section may be either a critical reading, math, or multiple-choice
writing section.
This unscored section does not count toward the final score, but is used to try
out new questions for future editions of the SAT and to ensure that scores on new
editions of the SAT are comparable to scores on earlier editions of the test.
The SAT has three scores, each on the familiar scale of 200 to 800. Student scores
will include writing (200-800), mathematics (200-800), and critical reading (200-800).
Two subscores will be given for the writing section: a multiple-choice subscore
on a scale of 20-80, and an essay subscore, on a scale of 2-12.
The math and reading scores can be directly compared to the previous math and verbal
scores on SATs taken prior to March 2005. This is something colleges need for consistency
in admissions requirements. However, the SAT writing score is completely new.
Many colleges require one or more SAT Subject Tests for admission, in addition to
the SAT Reasoning Test. SAT Subject Tests are one-hour multiple-choice tests that
measure how much a student knows about a particular academic subject and how well
they can apply that knowledge.
Subject tests fall into five subject areas: English, history, mathematics, sciences
and languages.
Further information on the SAT Reasoning test and SAT Subject Tests is available
from www.collegeboard.com.
Preparation
EIS-Jumeirah offers students the opportunity to prepare for the SAT as part of the
After School Activity programme.
To help prepare students of all backgrounds for the SAT and college success, the
College Board offers the SAT Readiness Program™. It's the only source of official
SAT practice tests created by the test maker.
Further information on the SAT Readiness Program is available from www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/prep_one.html.
Students may also purchase a number of endorsed and non-endorsed SAT preparation
materials from book suppliers.
Test Dates
Details of test dates are available at www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/calenfees.html.
Registration
All registrations are through the College Board in the United States. Details outlining
the registration process and fee structure are available from their website (SAT
Registration page).
4. USEFUL WEBSITES
Further information is available from:
Higher Education Advisor, Dr. Roy Forrest
(Tel: +971 4-3489804 Ext: 295 or Email:
rforrest@eischools.ae)