Is the GRE required for a master’s degree?
Not all universities require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for master's degree programs. Explore why schools are moving away from this exam.
There's a growing trend among universities to no longer require the GRE for master's programs, which can save you both time and money during the application process. This feature also means that other parts of your application portfolio, such as your essays, résumé, and transcripts, carry more weight.
Even if a university requires the GRE for its master's programs, you may not need to provide scores if you already hold a graduate degree or relevant professional experience.
What is the GRE test?
The GRE is a standardized test that was historically used to test applicants' preparedness for master's degree programs.
According to the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers the GRE, the exam's objective is to measure whether the applicant has the verbal and quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and writing skills to meet the demands of graduate programs.
You can take the GRE from home or at a testing center. The test has five sections and takes about one hour and 58 minutes to complete. The GRE's fee is $220–230, depending on your country, with additional costs for special scoring services and handling requests.
Why do some master's programs still require the GRE?
Universities that require the GRE for master's programs do so to simplify the selection process. Competitive programs may require GRE scores or use a GRE score cutoff to attract only the best applicants. These programs' admissions counselors can then spend more time focusing on other parts of applicants' portfolios.
Master's degrees that typically still require the GRE include:
- Analytical political economy
- Biomedical engineering
- Demography
- Economics
- Financial engineering
- Industrial engineering
- Political science
- Statistical science
Why are many master's programs waiving GRE requirements?
The GRE is not always required for admission to a master's degree program. Many graduate programs are dropping their GRE requirements or offering waivers. This decision is partly in response to studies that show that test results may not reliably predict a student's success in grad school, according to a 2019 Science analysis.
These studies also suggest that the GRE could potentially marginalize underrepresented groups or individuals who cannot afford test preparation.
A 2023 American Psychological Association (APA) study found that psychology graduate programs are shifting away from requiring the GRE. According to the study, from 2020–23, as the percentage of psychology master's programs that required the GRE declined, applications for these programs rose.
Another APA study states that graduate programs may use other resources to assess a prospective student's profile in place of the GRE requirement, such as letters of recommendation, GPAs, official transcripts, personal statements of goals, résumés, and interviews.
Many master's programs that waive or do not require the GRE have similar practices. Some programs may also consider your work or research experience, career milestones, and community involvement.
Master's programs that often waive or may no longer require the GRE include:
What alternatives do programs use instead of the GRE?
Universities that don't require the GRE for master's programs may instead require GMAT or MAT scores. Like the GRE, these exams assess your verbal and analytical skills, and programs you apply to may use a score cutoff.
Beyond standardized tests, master's programs have many ways to evaluate whether you're a strong candidate. Your application may include:
- A personal statement
- Essays
- An updated résumé
- Recommendation letters
You may also need to have relevant work experience and an interview with the faculty. Reach out to admissions counselors with questions about admission requirements or deadlines.
Should I still take the GRE even if it's optional?
If your program doesn't require the GRE, carefully evaluate your academic and professional strengths to determine if GRE scores could meaningfully bolster your application.
Consider taking the GRE if you:
- Feel prepared and have the time and finances to take the test.
- Want to get a better sense of your skills before applying to grad school.
- Need to address gaps in your application (e.g., lower GPA or extended time away from academics).
- Are applying to highly competitive programs or seeking graduate assistantships.
- Have competitive scores that might strengthen your application.
Contact the admissions office to confirm the GRE score expectations for your specific program.
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