Which Exam Is Best for Scholarship? Top Global Tests for Full Funding

If you're looking to study abroad without taking on massive debt, the right exam can open doors to full scholarships. But not all tests are created equal when it comes to funding. Some exams are gateways to merit-based aid, while others are just language requirements. So which exam actually gives you the best shot at a scholarship? The answer isn't simple-it depends on where you want to go, what you're studying, and what kind of funding you're targeting.

GRE: The Key to Master’s and PhD Scholarships

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is the most powerful exam for graduate-level scholarships, especially in the U.S., Canada, and parts of Europe. If you're aiming for a Master’s or PhD in engineering, sciences, economics, or even some humanities programs, a strong GRE score can get you fully funded. Many universities automatically consider GRE scores when awarding merit scholarships-no separate application needed.

Top schools like MIT, Stanford, and the University of Toronto offer full tuition waivers and monthly stipends to students with GRE scores above 325. In fact, a 2024 survey of 120 U.S. graduate programs found that 68% of fully funded PhD applicants had GRE scores in the 90th percentile or higher. It’s not just about getting in-it’s about standing out in a pool of thousands.

But here’s the catch: the GRE doesn’t help if you’re applying for undergraduate programs. If you’re still in high school, this isn’t your exam. Save it for when you’re ready for grad school.

SAT: The Undergraduate Scholarship Maker

If you’re a high school student looking to study in the U.S., Canada, or Australia, the SAT is your golden ticket. Unlike the GRE, the SAT is used to award merit-based scholarships at the undergraduate level. Many universities don’t just offer partial aid-they give full rides to students who score above 1500 (out of 1600).

For example, the University of Alabama offers full tuition to students with SAT scores of 1400+. The University of Texas at Austin gives automatic $10,000/year scholarships to those scoring 1450+. And schools like Tulane and Emory offer full-ride scholarships to students with scores above 1500, even if they’re international.

What makes the SAT unique is that it’s one of the few standardized tests that directly links to financial aid. Your score isn’t just a requirement-it’s a scholarship multiplier. A 1550+ score can get you into the top 1% of applicants, and that’s where the money is.

TOEFL and IELTS: Language Tests That Open Doors

Here’s a common myth: TOEFL and IELTS are scholarship exams. They’re not. But they’re absolutely necessary. If you’re applying to English-speaking universities, you need one of these to prove you can handle coursework. And while they don’t directly award money, they unlock access to exams that do.

For example, if you score 110+ on the TOEFL or 7.5+ on IELTS, you’re eligible to apply for scholarships that require proof of English proficiency. Many European scholarships (like Erasmus Mundus) and Commonwealth scholarships in the UK require IELTS scores above 7.0. Without it, you can’t even submit your application-even if your GPA is perfect.

Think of TOEFL and IELTS as the first door. You need to walk through it before you can even see the scholarship room. But don’t stop there. Pair your high language score with a strong GRE or SAT, and you’re in the running for real funding.

ACT: The SAT’s Less Common Cousin

The ACT is the SAT’s American cousin. It’s accepted by nearly all U.S. colleges and some international schools. But here’s the truth: fewer scholarships are tied to the ACT than the SAT. Why? Because SAT scores are more widely used in scholarship algorithms.

Some schools, like the University of Michigan and Purdue, offer automatic scholarships based on ACT scores. But the thresholds are higher. For example, a 34+ ACT score might get you $8,000/year at Purdue, while a 1500+ SAT score gets you $12,000+ at the same school.

If you’ve already taken the SAT and scored well, don’t retake it as the ACT. But if you’re deciding between the two, go with the SAT. It has more scholarship pathways and better recognition outside the U.S.

Subject Tests and AP Exams: Hidden Scholarship Boosters

Many students don’t realize that subject-specific exams can boost scholarship chances. AP (Advanced Placement) exams and SAT Subject Tests (now discontinued but still considered for past applicants) can tip the scales in your favor.

For example, if you score 5 on three AP exams in math, physics, and chemistry, and you’re applying for an engineering scholarship, admissions committees notice. Some universities, like Caltech and Harvey Mudd, offer additional merit aid to students with high AP scores-even if their SAT is just above average.

Similarly, if you’re applying to a European university, strong scores in IB (International Baccalaureate) Higher Level exams can get you into scholarship pools in Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. A 38+ IB score is often the minimum for full funding at public universities there.

Which Exam Should You Take? A Quick Decision Guide

Still confused? Here’s how to pick:

• If you’re in high school and want undergrad funding → Focus on the SAT. Aim for 1500+. Take TOEFL or IELTS if you’re from a non-English-speaking country.
• If you’re applying for a Master’s or PhD → Focus on the GRE. Target 325+. Pair it with IELTS 7.5+ or TOEFL 105+.
• If you’re applying to European programs → IELTS 7.0+ is essential. Some countries (like Germany) also accept TOEFL. GRE is rarely required for Master’s unless it’s research-focused.
• If you’re applying to Australia or Canada → SAT + TOEFL/IELTS works for undergrad. GRE + IELTS for grad school.

Don’t take five exams hoping one will work. Pick one path and go all in. A 1550 SAT with a 110 TOEFL will get you further than a 1400 SAT, a 100 TOEFL, and a half-done GRE.

Real Stories: How These Exams Changed Lives

A student from rural India scored 1560 on the SAT and 112 on the TOEFL. She applied to 10 U.S. schools and got full scholarships from three-including one that covered her airfare and books. She’s now studying computer science at the University of Florida.

A young man from Nigeria scored 331 on the GRE and 7.5 on IELTS. He was accepted into a fully funded PhD in Environmental Engineering at the University of British Columbia. His tuition, health insurance, and living costs were covered for five years.

These aren’t rare cases. They’re repeatable. The exams are the first step. The rest is up to you.

What About Other Exams? GMAT, LSAT, MCAT?

GMAT is for MBA programs. LSAT is for law. MCAT is for medicine. These exams can come with scholarships-but only in very specific fields. If you’re not going into business, law, or medicine, don’t waste time on them. They don’t help with general scholarships.

Stick to the big four: SAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS. They’re the ones that open doors across disciplines and continents.

Final Tip: Score Higher Than the Minimum

Universities publish minimum score requirements. But those are the floor-not the ceiling. Scholarship winners don’t just meet the minimum. They crush it.

If a school says "TOEFL 80 required," aim for 105+. If they say "SAT 1200 recommended," aim for 1500+. The difference between a 1400 and a 1550 SAT isn’t just a few points-it’s the difference between paying tuition and getting paid to study.

One exam won’t guarantee a scholarship. But the right exam, taken seriously, can change your entire future. Choose wisely. Prepare relentlessly. And don’t let anyone tell you it’s too hard.

If you’re serious about studying abroad for free, your next step is simple: pick one exam-SAT or GRE-based on your level, and start preparing like your future depends on it. Because it does.