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Parents-Students Hub · Guide
How education works in America
So many school types and test names can be confusing. Read this map from top to bottom: the school stages are in the middle, ages on the left, and the tests that may come up on the right.
Grade groupings, classes and test requirements vary by state, district, school and program.School stageTest or class levelOnly in some casesPaths after high school
Kindergarten–Grade 5Usually ages 5–11
Elementary school
Reading, writing, math, science and social studies with one main teacher.
ISEE / SSAT
Entrance tests for some private schools, only where required. Can apply at any school stage.
Entrance tests for some private schools, only where required. Can apply at any school stage.
Grades 6–8Usually ages 11–14
Middle school
Several subject teachers. Students start to choose some classes.
RegularHonors
Honors
A more challenging class, not a test.
A more challenging class, not a test.
Grades 9–12Ages 14–18
High school
Credits toward graduation. Grades from Grade 9 count for college.
RegularHonorsAPIB
AP / IB
Advanced study; good exam results may earn college credit.
Advanced study; good exam results may earn college credit.
PSAT → SAT or ACT
PSAT = practice (and National Merit in Grade 11). SAT or ACT = college admission tests; most students take one.
PSAT = practice (and National Merit in Grade 11). SAT or ACT = college admission tests; most students take one.
End of Grade 12Usually age 17–18
High school diploma
The usual way to finish high school.
Alternative: GED or HiSET
High school equivalency for eligible learners who did not finish high school. (TASC was retired in 2021.)
High school equivalency for eligible learners who did not finish high school. (TASC was retired in 2021.)
CHOOSE A PATH
Trade training
Trade school or apprenticeship: electrician, welding, HVAC, automotive and more.
→ Skilled careerCommunity college
Associate degree, usually 2 years, often lower cost.
→ Career or transfer to a universityUniversity / college
Bachelor’s degree, usually 4 years.
→ Career or further studyNursing / allied health
Programs at different college levels (certificate, associate, bachelor’s).
→ Healthcare careerATI TEAS
Entrance exam used by many programs.
Entrance exam used by many programs.
Community college credits can often transfer to a university to finish a bachelor’s degree.
AFTER A BACHELOR’S DEGREE, IF CONTINUING
After collegeUsually age 22+
Graduate and professional school
Master’s, MBA, doctorate, medicine or law.
Master’sMBADoctorateMedicineLaw
How Global Yuva helpsStudy Abroad UG/MSLeadership coaching
GMAT
MBA and business programs.
MBA and business programs.
GRE
Many master’s and doctoral programs.
Many master’s and doctoral programs.
MCAT · LSAT
Medical school · law school.
Medical school · law school.
Profession lanes
Which test opens which door
Every career follows its own lane. Read across: the SAT or ACT opens college, the LSAT opens law school, the MCAT opens medical school, and a license lets you work.
High school → college
College or training
Entrance test for the next step
Professional school or training
License to work
⚖️Law
High school → collegeSAT or ACTfor college
College or trainingBachelor’s degreeany major, about 4 years
Entrance test for the next stepLSATfor law school (some accept the GRE)
Professional school or trainingLaw school (JD)about 3 years
License to workBar examset by each state
🩺Medicine
High school → collegeSAT or ACTfor college
College or trainingBachelor’s degreeplus pre-med science classes
Entrance test for the next stepMCATfor medical school
Professional school or trainingMedical school (MD or DO)4 years, then residency 3–7 years
License to workUSMLE or COMLEXthen a state medical license
🦷Dentistry
High school → collegeSAT or ACTfor college
College or trainingBachelor’s degreeplus pre-dental science classes
Entrance test for the next stepDATfor dental school
Professional school or trainingDental school (DDS or DMD)about 4 years
License to workINBDEplus the state’s licensing steps
💊Pharmacy
High school → collegeSAT or ACTfor college
College or trainingPre-pharmacy classesabout 2–4 years
Entrance test for the next stepUsually no testthe PCAT was discontinued
Professional school or trainingPharmacy school (PharmD)about 4 years
License to workNAPLEXplus a state law exam in most states
🏥Nursing (RN)
High school → collegeSAT or ACT, or ATI TEASTEAS is used by many nursing programs
College or trainingNursing degreeADN about 2 years or BSN about 4 years
Entrance test for the next step—
Professional school or trainingOptional: master’s or doctorateto become a nurse practitioner
License to workNCLEX-RNthen a state nursing license
🛠️Engineering
High school → collegeSAT or ACTfor college
College or trainingBachelor’s in engineeringABET-accredited, about 4 years
Entrance test for the next stepFE examoften near graduation
Professional school or trainingWork experienceusually about 4 years
License to workPE examProfessional Engineer license
📊Business (MBA)
High school → collegeSAT or ACTfor college
College or trainingBachelor’s degreeany major
Entrance test for the next stepGMAT or GREoften after some work experience
Professional school or trainingMBAabout 1–2 years
License to workNo license needed
🧮Accounting (CPA)
High school → collegeSAT or ACTfor college
College or trainingBachelor’s in accountingabout 4 years
Entrance test for the next step—
Professional school or trainingExtra credits or work experiencerules vary by state
License to workCPA examthen a state CPA license
🍎Teaching
High school → collegeSAT or ACTfor college
College or trainingBachelor’s degreewith a teacher preparation program
Entrance test for the next stepPraxis or a state testrequired in many states
Professional school or trainingStudent teachingsupervised classroom practice
License to workState teaching license
🔬Research (PhD)
High school → collegeSAT or ACTfor college
College or trainingBachelor’s degreein the subject
Entrance test for the next stepGREmany programs; some now optional
Professional school or trainingPhDoften 5–6 years
License to workNo license needed
💻Technology
High school → collegeSAT or ACTfor college
College or trainingBachelor’s in computer scienceor a related degree
Entrance test for the next stepUsually no testskills, projects and interviews matter most
Professional school or trainingInternshipsmaster’s optional
License to workNo license neededoptional industry certificates
⚡Skilled trades
High school → collegeHigh school diplomaSAT or ACT not needed
College or trainingTrade school or apprenticeshipoften 3–5 years, paid on the job
Entrance test for the next step—
Professional school or trainingSupervised work hoursrequired for licensing
License to workState trade licensee.g. journeyman electrician
Yellow = a test. Green = a license. SAT or ACT only where a college requires it; many colleges are test-optional. Rules vary by state and program.
Every name, in plain English
| Name | Plain-English meaning | Where it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Honors | A more challenging school class. It is not an entrance test. | Usually middle or high school |
| AP | Advanced Placement: college-level subjects taught in high school, with subject exams. Qualifying scores may earn college credit. | High school |
| IB | International Baccalaureate: an academic program. Its Diploma Programme is generally taken in the final two high school years. | School, especially high school |
| ISEE / SSAT | Entrance tests used by some private schools. | Before entering a private school |
| PSAT | SAT preparation and progress testing. The PSAT/NMSQT, usually taken in Grade 11, can qualify students for National Merit consideration. | Before college applications |
| SAT / ACT | Two alternative tests used for college admission. Students generally do not need both. Requirements vary by college. | Usually Grades 11–12 |
| GED / HiSET | Tests leading to a high school equivalency credential for eligible people who did not finish high school. | Alternative to the usual graduation route |
| TASC | A former high school equivalency test, retired at the end of 2021. | Older records only |
| ATI TEAS | ATI is the testing company; TEAS is its entrance exam used by many nursing and allied health programs. | Before nursing or allied health programs |
| GMAT | Graduate Management Admission Test, for MBA and other graduate business programs. | Usually after a bachelor’s degree |
| GRE | Graduate Record Examination, used by many master’s and doctoral programs. | Graduate applications |
| MCAT / LSAT | Admission tests for medical school and law school. | Professional school applications |
| DAT | Dental Admission Test, for dental school. | Dental school applications |
| FE / PE | Engineering exams: FE near graduation, PE after work experience for a Professional Engineer license. | Engineering careers |
| Praxis | Teacher tests used by many states for a teaching license. | Becoming a teacher |
| NCLEX / Bar / USMLE / NAPLEX / CPA | License exams that let you work as a nurse, lawyer, doctor, pharmacist or accountant. | After professional training |
Easy memory rule
Honors = class difficulty
AP / IB = advanced study, possible college credit
SAT / ACT = college entry
GED / HiSET = high school equivalency
TEAS = nursing entry
GMAT = business school · GRE = graduate school · MCAT = medicine · LSAT = law
Official sources
- ISEE (ERB)
- SSAT
- AP (College Board)
- IB Diploma Programme
- PSAT/NMSQT
- SAT
- ACT
- GED
- HiSET
- ATI TEAS
- GMAT
- GRE
- MCAT
- LSAT
- DAT (ADA)
- USMLE
- COMLEX
- Bar exam (NCBE)
- NCLEX (NCSBN)
- NAPLEX (NABP)
- FE and PE (NCEES)
- Praxis
- CPA exam (AICPA)
Checked October 2026. Always confirm current requirements with each school, program and test maker.
Next steps: Parents-Students Hub · HS Student Track · College Scholarships · Career paths
Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only. It is a simplified overview; education systems and test requirements differ by state, school and program and can change. It is not admissions or legal advice. Test names belong to their owners; Global Yuva is not affiliated with any test maker.