Short answer: Some universities and graduate programs have stopped requiring the GRE for admission, many have made the GRE optional, and others continue to require it. Policies vary widely by institution, by department, and by program. As of June 2026, the landscape remains mixed, so applicants should check each program’s official admissions page and contact program staff when admissions decisions depend on test scores.
Why the question matters
Applicants ask “are universities dropping the GRE” because GRE requirements affect study plans, application strategy, timeline, and finances. Whether a program requires the GRE influences how you present academic readiness on your application. Understanding current trends helps you decide whether to register, how much time to allocate to preparation, and when submitting a score will help or hurt your chances.
What “dropping the GRE” means in practice
- Permanent removal: A program stops requiring GRE scores as a long-term policy.
- Temporary waiver: A program waives the requirement for a limited set of application cycles, often citing exceptional circumstances such as pandemic-related testing access.
- Test-optional: Applicants may choose whether to submit GRE scores. Admissions committees will evaluate applicants without scores, but may consider submitted scores if they strengthen an application.
- Test-flexible: Programs accept alternative evidence of readiness instead of the GRE. Alternatives may include other standardized tests, advanced coursework, writing samples, or professional experience.
Why many programs changed GRE policies
Several factors led departments to alter GRE policies beginning in 2020 and continuing afterward:
- Access and equity concerns. Unequal access to test centers and prep resources highlighted fairness issues when requiring a single standardized test.
- Research on predictive value. Some studies and discussions suggested the GRE may not predict long-term graduate success as strongly as previously thought, particularly for underrepresented groups.
- Applicant pressure and institutional review. Departments wanting a broader review of candidates emphasized holistic admissions, putting more weight on research experience, letters of recommendation, GPA, and fit.
- Operational disruptions. Temporary test-center closures and limited appointments pushed many programs to offer waivers so applicants could still apply on time.
How common is removing the GRE?
The proportion of programs that have removed or made the GRE optional is substantial, but it is not uniform across fields or institutions. Trends you will commonly see are:
- Humanities and many social sciences. These fields are more likely to adopt permanent test-optional policies, since qualitative work, writing samples, and letters carry strong weight in admissions.
- Some professional programs. Programs in areas such as education or public policy often move to test-optional models or accept alternatives.
- STEM and engineering. Many STEM departments continue to require the GRE, or to use scores selectively for funding and fellowship decisions, because quantitative measures are often seen as informative for coursework readiness.
- Top-ranked programs. Selective programs vary. Some have returned to requiring GRE scores, while others remain test-optional; the choice is program-specific.
Because policies differ by department rather than by entire university in many cases, you should not assume a blanket policy for a school based on the university-wide statement.
How admissions committees treat GRE-optional or waived applications
When the GRE is optional, admissions committees typically do one of the following:
- Evaluate applicants without GRE scores using the remaining materials. This places more emphasis on GPA, coursework rigor, letters of recommendation, research or professional experience, and writing samples.
- Consider submitted GRE scores when they provide additional information about an applicant’s quantitative or verbal abilities. A strong GRE can strengthen a marginal application, while a weak GRE can sometimes weaken it.
- Use GRE scores selectively for assistantship, fellowship, or funding decisions, even if the score was not required for admission.
Should you still take the GRE if your target programs are optional?
Consider these practical guidelines when deciding whether to take the GRE.
- Submit a score if you can earn a competitive result. If your projected score is at or above program medians or typical admitted ranges, a submitted score can improve your profile.
- Skip the test if you expect a low score and the program is explicitly test-optional. A low score may distract from stronger parts of your application. If you opt not to submit, use other parts of your application to show readiness.
- Take the test if you need to demonstrate quantitative readiness. Applicants changing fields into quantitatively heavy programs, or those with low grades in core coursework, may benefit from a strong GRE quantitative score.
- Consider timing and cost. Registering, preparing, and retaking the GRE requires time and money. Balance that with application deadlines and the opportunity cost of preparation.
Guidance for international applicants
- Visa and admissions are separate. GRE scores are for admissions, not for visa approval. Some programs that dropped the GRE still require proof of English proficiency such as TOEFL or IELTS for international applicants.
- Demonstrating academic preparedness. International applicants from institutions with different grading systems may still benefit from a competitive GRE score to help admissions committees compare applicants.
- Testing access varies globally. If local test centers are limited, contact programs to explain testing access issues and to ask whether alternative evidence of readiness is acceptable.
How to check each program’s current policy
Because GRE policies change frequently, follow this checklist for every program you consider:
- Read the program’s official graduate admissions webpage, including any FAQ and funding pages.
- Look for statements labeled “test-optional,” “test requirements,” or “testing policy” and note whether the policy is described as temporary or permanent.
- If policy text is ambiguous, email the program’s graduate admissions coordinator or the department graduate administrator with a concise question about whether the GRE is required for your application cycle.
- Check the application portal for required documents, as the portal often indicates whether the test score is required, optional, or recommended.
- Confirm deadlines and whether a score needs to arrive by the deadline or only by the start of the term.
What to do if a program waives the GRE for funding decisions
Some programs waive the GRE for admission but still use scores when awarding teaching assistantships, fellowships, or fellowships tied to quantitative ability. In that case:
- Ask departments how scores are used for funding decisions.
- Consider submitting a GRE if you want to be competitive for funding that uses scores.
- Document other evidence of preparedness, such as strong quantitative coursework, publications, or professional experience, when you opt not to submit GRE scores.
Common applicant scenarios and recommended actions
Scenario: Strong GPA and strong letters, GRE optional
Action: Skip the GRE unless you want to strengthen an already strong application or need the score for funding. Use the time for targeted research or writing sample improvements.
Scenario: Lower GPA in key courses, GRE optional
Action: Take the GRE to demonstrate current quantitative or verbal strength. A strong score can help offset past grade weaknesses.
Scenario: Changing into a quantitative field
Action: Take the GRE, focusing on quantitative preparation. Programs may see the GRE as evidence that you can handle graduate-level quantitative work.
Scenario: International applicant with an unfamiliar grading scale
Action: Consider taking the GRE to give admissions committees another metric for comparison. If test access is limited, explain the situation and provide additional documentation of coursework and grades.
Alternatives and complements to the GRE
Programs that de-emphasize the GRE often look for other evidence of ability. Useful alternatives include:
- Rigorous undergraduate or graduate coursework in the field.
- Research experience, publications, or presentations.
- Strong letters of recommendation that specifically address your academic and research skills.
- Relevant professional experience and measurable outcomes or projects.
- Writing samples, portfolios, or coding samples where applicable.
Frequently asked questions
Is the GRE being eliminated nationwide?
No. There is no single nationwide policy. Individual programs and departments decide their own testing requirements. Some institutions have moved away from the GRE, while others continue to require it.
Will programs reinstate the GRE requirement in the future?
Possibly. Some programs implemented temporary waivers and later reintroduced the GRE, while others made permanent changes. Policies can shift based on departmental review, research on admissions outcomes, and changes in institutional priorities.
If a program is GRE-optional, will not submitting a score put me at a disadvantage?
Not necessarily. If admissions committees explicitly evaluate applicants without GRE scores, they will weigh the remaining application materials. However, if you have a strong GRE score, submitting it can strengthen your application; a weak score might do the opposite.
Are GRE Subject Tests still relevant?
Some programs historically used GRE Subject Tests as additional evidence of discipline-specific strength. Acceptance of subject tests varies, and some subject tests have been discontinued. Check specific programs for their current stance on subject tests.
Actionable next steps for applicants
- Make a program-by-program list with each program’s GRE policy, funding notes, and application deadlines.
- Decide your target score ranges based on program admitted profiles when available. If you do not have program medians, aim to demonstrate clear strength relative to your academic record.
- Plan test timing so scores can be reported by program deadlines, allowing time for one retake if needed.
- Document alternatives to the GRE if you will not submit a score, such as upgraded coursework, research products, or extra letters that speak to quantitative skills.
- Communicate with programs when policy language is unclear or when you face testing access issues.
Conclusion
Short answer: yes and no. Many universities and graduate programs have moved to test-optional or waived GRE policies, but many others still require the GRE. Policies vary by program, and they continue to evolve. For every program on your list, verify the current requirement, evaluate whether submitting a score will strengthen your case, and plan accordingly. When in doubt, reach out directly to the program’s graduate admissions contact for the clearest, most up-to-date guidance.
