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Going abroad to study is not just about the degree. Yes, you will have a higher probability to get a job abroad or even back home (if it is a prestigious university), but the returns are more layered than that. Studying abroad brings many holistic advantages, some of them being:

1. The opportunity to see the world
2. Experiencing a New Culture
3. Make Lifelong Friends
4. Personal and personality Development
5. Maturity and expansion in outlook

Studying abroad has also become more accessible and affordable now with information and financial support more readily available in most countries. But there are some common problems that people face while planning to Study or Work abroad:

1. Cost: Since I have personal experiences en this area, I always advise youngsters to not take up too much loan on their own heads or their parents’ head while going to study abroad. If one researches well, one can find universities that offer great scholarships, fellowships and other forms of support. A little research goes a long way in making things easy later. 
2. Lack of reliable information: One also need to be cautious while approaching consultants because of the proliferation of fraud companies and fake consultants who give wrong advice and disappear after exhorting money. 
3. Logistics: Documents, paperwork, files, money, interviews, calls, information, meetings — too much to manage in too little time!

Here are the key steps o make the shift abroad for work / study:

1. Research on programs and countries
2. Get your Passport
3. Take the required technical tests like SAT / GMAT / GRE etc
4. Take the required language tests based on which country you’re going to. If you’re going to an english speaking country, chances are that you will take TOEFL / IELTS / PTE, if you’re going to a European country, the language requirements might be slightly different
5. Apply to the Program of your Choice
6. Get the VISA
7. FLY!

I am not an expert on the technical tests but I can care some information on the English language tests. Most universities expect you to show your competency in English because that will be the prime mode of instruction. By scoring high on the English language test, you will convince the university that you are ready to move to a new country to study. The top three English language tests are TOEFL, IELTS and PTE. All of these are commonly accepted by most universities abroad but you must check the college website to know which tests they specifically accept, before yo spent time and money on a test.

I want to focus on PTE in this post because it is gaining popularity these days. PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic) is a computer-based language test that offers candidates a fast, fair and flexible way of proving their English language proficiency for immigration and student visas. What I like about PTE is there is no scope for bias. The test is scored by computer so it doesn’t matter where test takers come from or what they look like, PTE Academic only tests their English skills. A few other tests are graded by actual people and there is always a possibility that they are prejudiced against your accent or vernacular inflections. And the second reason I like PTE is because candidates can send their scores to an unlimited number of institutions without additional fees via their secure online account, unlike a few other tests where this fee can be quite high.

#DefinitelyPTE can be considered, especially for Australian and NZ universities. It is accepted for study applications by thousands of institutions worldwide, including: 

• 100% of Australian, New Zealand, and Irish universities (e.g. University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and The University of Auckland)
• 96% of UK universities (e.g. London Business School, University of Bath and University of Birmingham)
• A growing number of universities in the USA and Canada (e.g. Purdue, American University and Harvard University)
• Universities in Europe and Asia delivering courses in English. 

Not only this, PTE has a twin benefit - it is approved by the Australian and New Zealand
Governments for all student visa and migration applications, and accepted by an increasing number of professional bodies too.

It is a 3 hour English test which have different sections to test Speaking and Writing, Reading and Listening skills. The entire test is computer based so it will definitely be an advantage for candidates who have a discomfort in speaking directly to an unknown person. You can register and book your test online in just before 24 hours.

Students also get access to preparation course and free sample questions with which you can practice before taking up the test. Check out PTE Preparation Course for more information. You have numerous test centers available across the globe located in over 50 countries like Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, UK and US.

If you are appearing in India, test centers are available in the following locations:

• Pune

• Punjab

• Chennai

• Coimbatore

• Mumbai

• New Delhi

• Hyderabad

• Kolkata

• Nagpur

Here's wat to expect at the #DefinitelyPTE center.... Good luck!