First SAT–TOEFL Olympiad in India to serve as practice test for study abroad

It will be an online sample test for the SAT and TOEFL, which aims to offer a comprehensive solution for study abroad aspirants. It also offers the opportunity to earn rewards and scholarships in their university admissions journey. Schools looking for group bookings or individual students can register at www.satolympiad.org.

The organisers say that those who participate will receive a performance analysis to identify strengths and improvement areas, and top scorers will receive rewards and scholarships up to ₹15 lakhs each. The Olympiad is supported by the College Board (administrators of SAT), ETS (owners of TOEFL & GRE), Galvanize Global Education, Krea University, and Lumiere Education.

Ram Srinivasan, Co-Founder & CEO of Galvanize Global Education, on whether this will be a level playing field for everyone participating, says that the very purpose of standardised tests like the SAT and TOEFL is to provide a common yardstick for students from different boards and backgrounds. While differences across school syllabi exist, these exams are designed to evaluate skills that matter for global admissions: reading, reasoning, language, and problem-solving, and not rote curriculum knowledge.

Mr. Srinivasan says that such standardised tests often give students from under-resourced backgrounds a chance to demonstrate ability on a level field, when essays or extracurriculars may tilt in favour of privilege. Many institutions that went test-optional or test-blind during COVID later found the move backfired; it actually made admissions less equitable. “That is why most leading universities have reinstated these exams. In that context, the Olympiad introduces Indian students, regardless of whether they come from CBSE, ICSE, IB, or State boards, to the same global benchmarks. It’s about familiarising them early with assessments that are fair, universal, and widely respected”, said Mr. Srinivasan.

The organisers don’t view the Olympiad as pushing students into competition early; they view it as exposure. “At an age when most conversations revolve around JEE and NEET, this event signals that the world of higher education is much wider. Students discover that opportunities exist at world-class universities abroad, and that exams like the SAT and TOEFL are entry points”, says Mr. Srinivasan.

Mr. Srinivasan highlights that these are selection tests, not ranking tests. Unlike JEE or NEET, where every mark determines your relative position, SAT and TOEFL are just one part of a broader, holistic admissions process that includes essays, recommendations, and extracurriculars. Starting in Class 9 doesn’t mean an extra burden; it simply plants the seed that global education is achievable, giving students more choice rather than narrowing it.

Sachin Jain, Country Manager, India & South Asia, ETS stated, “As the most widely accepted English Language Test taken by more than 13,000 institutions in 160+ countries, including the U.S., U.K., Germany, Canada, Australia, etc., TOEFL has been enabling the study abroad aspirations of Indian students for the last 60+ years. This Olympiad will not only help students evaluate their readiness to take the The TOEFL test also opens a gateway to scholarship benefits as they embark on their study abroad journey.”

Rewards and scholarships

The organisers have announced various rewards for those who perform well in the olympiad. Lumiere Education will provide 100% scholarships for the top two scorers on the Research Mentorship Program ($2,900). Galvanize Global Education will provide SAT and TOEFL prep material worth ₹5,000. They have also announced 100% scholarships for the top three scorers on profile building, admissions support, and SAT prep (up to ₹9,00,000 each), and more. ETS India will provide 100% TOEFL test fee waivers for top two scorers (₹16,900 each).

Published – September 02, 2025 04:53 pm IST