Is the GRE required for a master's degree?
By: Janice Mejías Avilés, Edited by: Gabriela Pérez Jordán
Published: January 22, 2025
Are you considering earning a master's degree? There's a growing trend among some schools and programs to no longer require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for admission, which might expedite your application process.
Let's dive into what you need to know about the GRE, its role in grad school admissions, and whether you need to take it or not.
What is the GRE test?
The GRE is a standardized test that was historically used as part of the admissions requirements 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 $150 for most test takers, with additional costs for special scoring services and handling requests.
Is the GRE required for a master's degree?
The GRE is not always required for a master's degree. Many graduate programs are dropping the requirement 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 to 2023, as the percentage of psychology master's programs that require 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, grade point averages (GPA) and official transcripts, personal statements of goals, résumé or curriculum vitae, and interviews with applicants.
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 degrees that may no waive or longer require the GRE include:
Should I still take the GRE even if the test is optional for some programs?
It's a personal decision whether or not to take the GRE exam, even if your desired graduate program waives it or has no requirement. If you feel prepared and your time and financial situation allow it, you may consider taking the GRE to strengthen your application.Taking the GRE, even if the test is optional, could help you to:
- Get a better sense of your skills before applying to grad school
- Address gaps in your application, such as a lower GPA or if you've been out of school for a long time
- Compete for spots in highly competitive programs or graduate assistantships
Including GRE test scores in your application for programs that don't require them might be helpful only if your scores are competitive. Contact the admissions office to check the GRE test score expectations for the specific program.
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