Many universities outside Tanzania will require applicants to undertake tests in addition to their IB Diploma exams (or other school examinations such as A levels). This page is designed to help UWCEA students and other potential applicants based in Tanzania determine which tests they might need to take and how to take them. Information is given here on many different tests and the details here may be out of date – please check the appropriate website for each testing body to get accurate information.
Registration for tests
Most tests will require you to register a long time before the test – sometimes up to 6 weeks.
Have the right ID document
When you register, you must use your name EXACTLY as it is printed in your passport or identity document. You must also register with a date of birth that is the same as your ID document.
When you arrive for any test you MUST bring your ORIGINAL identity document with you.
For Tanzanian citizens, this could be a passport, a NIDA card, a driving licence, a voter registration card or any ORIGINAL government-issued photo ID. Photocopies or digital copies will never be accepted. Non-Tanzanians should bring their passport. Some tests have different ID requirements detailed below. Plan in advance to make sure you have the required ID.
Payment for most tests is made online using an internationally valid credit card. If you or your family do not have a credit card, both M-Pesa and Airtel offer a virtual credit card facility that will allow you to pay for tests with a virtual credit card.
English Language Tests
Many universities will require you to provide evidence of your English language ability and the requirements vary enormously from one country to another and one university to another. This page lists some of the tests available – you will need to research to find out which you should take, if any. You are not likely to need to take more than one of these. Nationals of the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand are not usually required to take English Language tests.
Students successfully taking IB English Literature or IB English Language & Literature courses at Higher Level may not need to take English language tests. It is advisable to check this with each university. Note that UK immigration may still require either an IELTS UKVI or a PTE Academic test result.
Note that the Paper-Delivered TOEFL test is no longer available, and we no longer offer TOEFL or IELTS tests in Moshi or Arusha.
Duolingo English Test
This is about the cheapest test available and you can take it at home or in your school. Many universities in the USA and elsewhere accept this test, but you will need to check this with your university.
Cost: $59
Location: Taken in school or at home
Dates: At your convenience.
Resources: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/readiness
Practice Test: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/quick
TOEFL HOME EDITION
TOEFL® is required by many institutions worldwide to demonstrate that you have a good level of English language proficiency. TOEFL® is not usually valid for UK immigration purposes.
The Internet-based TOEFL test can be taken AT HOME provided you have a Windows computer and a suitable environment.
Cost: $275
Location: Taken in school or at home
Dates: Lots of possible dates available.
TOEFL INTERNET-BASED TEST (iBT)
TOEFL® is required by many institutions worldwide to demonstrate that you have a good level of English language proficiency. TOEFL® is not usually valid for a UK visa. The only Tanzanian center for this test is in Dar es Salaam where tests are held about once or twice per month.
Click here for preparation materials.
Cost: $275
Location: Dar es Salaam
Register by: 7 days before the test
Register at: https://www.ets.org/mytoefl
Dates:
- 23 March, 6, 27 April, 26 May, 8 June 2024
PTE Academic
PTE Academic is an alternative English test which is accepted by UK immigration and by academic institutions in the UK to demonstrate that you have a good level of English proficiency. It is also accepted in many other countries. This is a computer-based test.
The PTE Academic test is available in Dar es Salaam. All of the sections of this test can be taken in the same session on the same day.
Example questions are available at https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/test-format
Cost: $270
Location: Dar es Salaam
Register by: As early as possible, but at least 10 days before the test.
Dates: Usually every Monday.
IELTS ACADEMIC FOR UKVI
IELTS™ for UKVI is often required by UK immigration and by academic institutions in the UK to demonstrate that you have a good level of English proficiency. It is also accepted in many other countries. This is a paper-based test.
The IELTS™ for UKVI is available at the British Council in Dar es Salaam. Note that although the Reading, Listening and Writing sections of the test (computer-based) can be taken on the dates below, the Speaking section must be taken on a different day – it is usually possible to book the day before for the Speaking section.
Practice materials are available at https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/prepare-test/british-council-online-resources
Cost: TSh 689,000
Location: British Council, Dar es Salaam
Register by: As early as possible, but at least 10 days before the test.
Dates: Usually about two possible dates per month.
IELTS ACADEMIC TEST
IELTS™ is often required by academic institutions to demonstrate that you have a good level of English proficiency. It is also accepted in many countries.
Note that this test is NOT valid for UK immigration purposes
IELTS Academic can usually be taken in Dar es Salaam. You can choose either a paper-based test or to take a test on a computer. The Speaking Test will be held at a different time (or on a different day) from the Reading/Listening/Writing tests.
Click here for practice materials.
Cost: TSh 689,000
Location: British Council, Dar es Salaam
Register by: 10 days before the test, but book early to get a time that is convenient for you for the Speaking test.
Dates: There are usually one or more test dates available each month for each of the paper-based test and the computer-based test.
Please note that the IELTS Online test is not currently available for candidates in Tanzania.
Tests For USA Universities
Universities or colleges in the USA may sometimes require additional tests such as SAT or ACT. Details of each of these tests are given below. These tests are not normally required for other countries.
SAT Reasoning test
The SAT® Reasoning test is required by many universities in the USA for admission, although you can also take the ACT® test (see right) instead of the SAT®. It is a test of English and Mathematics.
The SAT® tests are available in Dar es Salaam or Moshi as indicated.
College Board practice materials are available through the BlueBook testing application. Go to https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/digital/digital-practice-preparation/practice-tests/bluebook# to find out how to access the app and practice materials.
Khan Academy® practice materials have been updated for the digital SAT and are available at https://www.khanacademy.org/digital-sat/confirmed
As an alternative to government ID, candidates who are attending a school may use original school ID cards for identification.
Cost: $103
Register by: 3 weeks before the test (late registration is not possible)
Dates:
- 1 June 2024 (Moshi)
- 24 Aug 2024 (Moshi)
- 2 Nov 2024 (Moshi)
- 7 Dec 2024 (Moshi)
- 3 May 2025 (Moshi)
- 7 Jun 2025 (Moshi)
Format:
The first digital SAT test took place in March 2023. More details on digital testing are at sat.org/digital
For this test you will need to bring your own laptop (Mac or Windows) or iPad. Before the test you will need to download the BlueBook testing software to your device. Go to https://bluebook.app.collegeboard.org/ to download BlueBook.
There are some webinars on the digital SAT available to watch here.
ACT Test
The ACT®test is an alternative to the SAT® Reasoning test for US universities. It is a test of English, Mathematics and Scientific Reasoning and you may also choose to take a writing test in English if your college requires this.
The ACT® tests are available in Moshi or in Dar es Salaam (University UDSM or Haven of Peace Academy), although the Dar es Salaam dates were not available at the time of writing – please check the ACT registration pages.
As an alternative to government ID, candidates who are attending a school may use original school ID cards for identification.
Click here for ACT practice materials and Free practice tests.
Further information and practice materials are also available at these two sites:
https://africa.actclub.org/
https://academy.act.org/
Cost: $181.50 (+$25 for writing)
Register by: 4 weeks before the test (late registration may be available)
Dates:
- 7 June 2024 (Moshi)
- 8 June 2024 (Moshi)
- 26 Oct 2024 (Moshi)
- 8 Feb 2025 (Moshi)
- 13 Jun 2025 (Moshi)
- 14 Jun 2025 (Moshi)
Other Tests
You may also be asked to take other tests for particular courses or for particular countries. Some of the possible tests are listed here:
UCAT (Medicine)
The University Clinical Aptitude Test (previously called UKCAT) is used by many universities in the UK to assess suitability for admission to a university course in medicine. It is available to take in Dar es Salaam.
First create an account on the website.
You can book a test from 18 June 2024.
Test dates start on 8 July 2024.
Tests MUST be booked before 19 September 2024.
The test costs GBP £115.
Please note that the UK application deadline for medical courses in the UK is 15th October (eleven months before courses start).
UK AssesSment TESTS
The following tests are no longer available: BMAT, MLAT, TSA, STEP Mathematics.
From October 2024, the following tests may be required by a small number of competitive UK universities:
TMUA – Test of Mathematics for University Admission
ESAT – Engineering and Science Admissions Test
These tests will be available to take in Dar es Salaam if needed.
Further information is available at this page.
LNAT (Law)
The Law National Admissions Test is used by many universities in the UK to assess suitability for admission to a university course in law. It is available to take in Dar es Salaam at CATS Tanzania Limited.
Registration will open online on 1st August 2024 for university entry in September 2025. Candidates should register and take the test early in their final school year before planning to start university. The test costs GBP 120. Candidates in Tanzania first have to apply for an LNAT voucher for payment as credit/debit cards are not accepted from Tanzania. LNAT results are only valid for one year.
IELTS LIFE SKILLS TEST
This English speaking and listening test is NOT designed for university entry. You should only take this test if you are planning to stay (not study) in the UK with family or friends and need to prove your English language skills.
GRE Test
The GRE® (Graduate Record Exam) is only for students who are applying for graduate study or business studies in the USA (post-graduate level). You could be asked to take either the GRE® General Test or specific subject tests. You can register to take the GRE at home, or in a test center in Dar es Salaam.
The computer-based General Test for GRE® is available at The Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy, Dar es Salaam. Test dates are available most months.
Registration is on a rolling basis.
The fee for the General GRE is currently US$ 220.
GRE At Home
You can now take the GRE test at home!
At home testing for the GRE General Test is for anyone who has an appropriate computer and environment. Monitoring of the test will be conducted using live remote proctors and artificial intelligence technology by ProctorU®, the leading proctoring solution for online testing.
The test is identical in content, format, on-screen experience and scoring to the GRE General Test taken at a test center. It is monitored online by a trained human proctor from start to finish to maintain test security.
Click here for more details of GRE home testing
Help and SupPort
With the huge array of tests listed above, you may feel that you need help to navigate through the maze.
If you are a student in UWCEA, or a parent of a UWCEA student, please see your university counsellor on campus.
Further information on some tests may be available from EducationUSA at the American Embassy in Dar es Salaam. See https://tz.usembassy.gov/education-culture/educationusa/ for more details.
The Test Coordinator in Moshi may be able to provide some support regarding payments or other issues concerning any of the tests which take place in Moshi. Please contact tests@tsws.uk for support.
This page was last updated on 10 March 2024.
SAT® is a trademark registered by the College Board. ETS®, GRE® and TOEFL® are trademarks registered by the Educational Testing Service. ACT® is a trademark of ACT. IELTS™ is a trademark owned by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate. The use of these marks does not indicated any affiliation or endorsement of this site by the respective organisations.
UWC East Africa is not responsible for the accuracy of any of the information on this page – this information is provided as a service and UWCEA does not act as an agent for any of the above organisations