Tests & admissions
Every standardised test a Nepali student
might actually need to sit.
Real fees in NPR, where the test centres are in Kathmandu, what scores universities and embassies actually want, and how to decide between options that overlap. Updated for 2026.
10 tests covered · English proficiency: 4 · Aptitude: 4 · Nursing & licensing: 2
Quick decision: which test should you sit?
Read across — pick the row that matches your situation, take the test in the third column. This holds true for most Nepali applicants in 2026.
| Your situation | Sit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You're applying to most universities, anywhere | IELTS Academic | Accepted everywhere that matters and required for most student visas. Default for Nepali applicants. |
| You're applying to USA only and budget is tight | Duolingo English Test | Cheapest at NPR 8,700. Most US universities accept it. Will not work for any visa or non-US programme. |
| Australia or NZ visa and university, you scored low on IELTS speaking | PTE Academic | Computer-marked speaking often scores higher than IELTS for the same level of English. |
| Canada visa via Student Direct Stream | IELTS Academic | SDS only accepts IELTS 6.0 each band (or PTE Core). TOEFL, regular PTE, and Duolingo will not work. |
| US graduate Master's or PhD | GRE | Required at most PhD programmes and many Master's. Many CS/engineering Master's went optional after 2020. |
| Top global MBA programme | GMAT Focus Edition | Default for MBA admissions. GRE is now accepted at most top schools as an alternative. |
| US undergraduate (Bachelor's) admission | Digital SAT | Required at many selective US universities. Test-optional policies have started reversing in 2024–2026. |
| US JD (3-year law degree) | LSAT | Required for almost every US JD programme. LLM admissions do not need LSAT. |
English proficiency
Tests that prove you can study in English
At least one of these is required for almost every English-medium university and most student visas. The choice between them comes down to your target country and which test's format suits you.
IELTS
NPR 28,500–30,000International English Language Testing System
If you study abroad from Nepal, you will probably sit IELTS Academic at some point. It is accepted by every university worth applying to, every embassy that issues student visas, and most professional bodies (nursing, engineering) that license foreign graduates. The British Council and IDP both run it in Kathmandu, and prep options here are stronger than for any other test.
TOEFL
≈ NPR 29,000Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEFL iBT is the second most common English test for Nepali students, taken mostly by those applying to the US. It is accepted at every US university, almost every Canadian and Australian one, and an increasing number of European programmes. ETS (the test maker) runs it at TOEFL centres in Kathmandu, with at-home option also available.
PTE Academic
≈ NPR 26,000Pearson Test of English Academic
PTE Academic is the Australian-leaning alternative to IELTS. Computer-marked from start to finish, results in 2 working days, and a strong reputation in Australia, NZ, and increasingly UK universities. Nepali students who plateau on IELTS speaking often try PTE next because the scoring algorithm is different and rewards different things.
Duolingo English Test
≈ NPR 8,700Duolingo English Test (DET)
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is the cheapest, fastest English proficiency option for Nepalis applying abroad. At about USD 65, it costs a fraction of IELTS, and you take it from home in under an hour. The catch is acceptance — DET is widely used for university admission in the US, but no major embassy accepts it for student visas. Use it carefully and confirm acceptance before booking.
Graduate & undergraduate aptitude
Tests of subject reasoning, used by US schools
These are required by some US programmes and recommended by others. Many have gone optional since 2020, so always confirm what each programme on your list actually requires before you book a test date.
GRE
≈ NPR 31,000Graduate Record Examinations (GRE General Test)
The GRE used to be a mandatory rite of passage for Nepali students aiming at US graduate programmes. That changed after 2020 when many CS, engineering, and even some MBA programmes dropped the requirement. The GRE still matters at top research-heavy programmes (Stanford CS, MIT, top biology PhDs), and a strong score can offset a weaker GPA. Whether you should take it depends entirely on your target schools.
GMAT
≈ NPR 37,000Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT Focus Edition)
GMAT remains the default test for international MBA admissions, though most top business schools now also accept GRE. The Focus Edition (launched late 2023) is shorter than the old GMAT and uses a different scoring scale. For Nepali candidates targeting top-50 MBA programmes, a strong GMAT (645+ on the new scale, equivalent to 720+ on the old) is one of the most decisive parts of the application.
SAT
≈ NPR 14,500Scholastic Assessment Test (Digital SAT)
SAT is mostly for Nepali students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor's) admission to US universities, plus a smaller number applying to Canadian and UK programmes that consider SAT for international applicants. The Digital SAT (launched 2024 internationally) is shorter, fully on-screen, and adaptive between modules. It is one of the more decisive parts of US undergraduate applications.
LSAT
≈ NPR 31,500Law School Admission Test
LSAT is required for US JD (Juris Doctor) programmes and most Canadian JD programmes. It is one of the harder standardised tests internationally — heavy on logical reasoning under time pressure. Few Nepali students take it (Master's in Law or LLM at US schools usually does not require LSAT), but if you want to study a 3-year JD in the US, you must take it.
Nursing & licensing
Exams for Nepali nurses going abroad
Over 10,000 Nepali nurses migrate annually. These exams unlock nursing licences in the USA, Australia, and UK — the three largest destinations. NCLEX must be sat in India; OET is available in Kathmandu.
NCLEX-RN
USD 200 + CGFNSNational Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses
NCLEX-RN is the US nursing licence examination that over 6,000 Nepali nurses attempted in FY2023–24. Passing it is the gateway to working as a registered nurse in all 50 US states. There is no Pearson VUE test centre in Nepal — most Nepali nurses travel to India for the exam. This guide covers every step: choosing a US state board, CGFNS credential evaluation, getting your ATT, booking the exam, and preparing to pass.
OET
≈ NPR 38,000Occupational English Test
The Occupational English Test (OET) is a healthcare-specific English proficiency test accepted by AHPRA (Australia), NMC (UK), and nursing programmes in New Zealand, Dubai, and Singapore. Unlike IELTS which is designed for general students, OET uses clinical scenarios — nursing handovers, discharge summaries, patient letters — making it more relevant for nurses. For Nepali nurses heading to Australia or the UK, OET Grade B in all four sub-tests is the standard requirement. IELTS is still accepted as an alternative; this guide helps you decide which is better for you.
A reminder before you book anything
Test fees and university score requirements change. We update these pages when we notice changes, but anything mission-critical (a visa cutoff, a specific programme's minimum) should be checked against the official source before you pay for the test or commit to a programme. We list the official link on every page.
Not sure which to sit?
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