Do You Need to Take the GRE for Grad School?

The answer depends on your program's specific policy, and that policy may be different from what you assume.

Verify

Before you start your GRE prep

Check your target program's own admissions page. Graduate schools have radically different policies: some require it, some make it optional, some ignore it entirely, and a small number actively discourage testing. Policies also vary by program within the same university and change every cycle. No generic article can substitute for your program's official statement.

Three policy categories

When you land on an admissions page, you'll find one of three positions:

Test-required

Test-optional

The program mandates GRE scores as a condition of application. Submitting an application without them typically results in rejection before review.

The program will review your application either way, but encourages you to submit scores if you have them. The weight given to a submitted score varies by program.

Test-blind: A rare third position. The program does not read GRE scores at all, not even if submitted. A handful of institutions (most commonly public universities) adopt this policy for equity reasons.

The vast majority of graduate programs have moved toward test-optional in the past five years, but this is not universal. STEM-heavy fields and research-focused programs tend to be more likely to require testing than professional programs or humanities fields, though there are many exceptions.

How to find YOUR program's actual policy

Generic data about "how many programs are test-optional" is unreliable and changes constantly. The only trustworthy source is your target program itself. Here's where to look:

The program's own admissions page. Search the department website for "GRE," "standardized testing," or "admissions requirements." Most programs spell out their stance clearly.
The graduate school's FAQ or requirements checklist. If the department's site is vague, check the university-wide graduate admissions office. Their requirements often supersede the department's guidance.
Contact admissions directly. If you cannot find it published, email the department. Ask specifically: "Is the GRE required for admission to [your program]?" One sentence clarifies ambiguity faster than guessing.
Search for your program's name alongside "GRE required." Admissions blogs and student forums sometimes have crowdsourced policy info, but verify it against the official page: policies change yearly.

Policies can differ dramatically between a program's main page and its detailed application portal, and they can shift from one admissions cycle to the next. Checking now is not the same as checking later; do this close to when you're ready to apply.

When submitting anyway can still strengthen your application

Even if the GRE is not required, sending scores may be strategically useful. Consider submitting scores if:

Your GPA is borderline or uneven. A strong GRE score can signal academic strength in a core subject area (especially the Quantitative section in STEM fields) even if your overall GPA is weak or inconsistent.
Your background doesn't obviously signal quantitative ability. If your undergraduate degree was primarily in the humanities or arts, a competitive Quantitative score can reassure a program that you're ready for quantitative graduate coursework.
The program values GRE data for their cohort. Some programs use GRE statistics for their rankings profiles and program reputation. They often signal this by publishing median scores prominently. If a program publishes GRE data, they likely find it meaningful.
You took the test and scored well. This is straightforward: if you have a strong result, submit it. There's no downside to sending a competitive score to a test-optional program.

In contrast, if the program is test-blind, submitting scores will literally have no effect: they won't be read. If you're test-optional and your scores are weak, you have no obligation to submit them.

A note on test-optional volatility

Policies are not permanent. A program that was test-optional last year might return to requiring the GRE in the next cycle. Conversely, a program that has required the GRE for decades might go test-optional. The admissions landscape is still shifting. Check your target program's policy no more than 2–3 months before you submit your application. Anything older than that may be out of date.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as a "good" GRE score?

There is no such thing as a universally "good" score. Every program sets its own expectations. A score that is competitive for a top-10 computer science program would be completely different from a score for a public administration or social work program. Consult the specific program's admissions page or contact them directly. If they publish a middle 50% range for admitted students, that gives you a realistic benchmark for that program only.

The program says "GRE optional for international students" or "optional if GPA below 3.5": what does this mean?

Some programs make the GRE optional conditionally. If this applies to you, the condition is real: if you fall outside the exception (for example, you're a domestic student, or your GPA is above 3.5), the test might still be required. Re-read the exact language carefully and contact admissions if it's unclear whether it applies to your situation.

If a program is test-optional, does submitting a GRE score hurt me if it's just average?

Not inherently. An average score by itself is unlikely to harm your candidacy, especially if your other credentials (GPA, research, experience) are strong. However, if your score would significantly drag down the program's published middle-50% range, some programs might weigh it more heavily in a way that works against you. This is a judgment call: if your GRE score is merely average and everything else about your application is strong, you could reasonably choose not to submit it in a test-optional program. If you're uncertain, reach out to the program.

Can I apply before taking the GRE if it's required?

Not if it's required. Most application portals will not let you submit if the required test score field is empty. If the portal allows a submission without scores, follow up with admissions immediately to confirm that the test is not a hard requirement for your program: you may have misunderstood the policy, or there may be a department-specific exception. Do not assume you can submit scores later.

My program is "test-blind": should I take the GRE anyway?

If the program is genuinely test-blind, there is no benefit to taking the GRE for that application. Your time and money are better spent on other aspects of your candidacy (strengthening your statement of purpose, building research experience, etc.). You might take the GRE for a different program if you're applying to multiple schools, but not for a test-blind program specifically.

How late can I take the GRE and still meet an application deadline?

Check your program's application portal or contact admissions. Some programs require scores to be officially reported to the university before the application deadline; others accept scores up to a day or two after. There is no standard. ETS typically processes official score reports within 6 business days, but do not count on this during peak testing season. If you're applying to the first round of admissions, aim to have scores submitted at least 1–2 weeks before the deadline to avoid stress and last-minute surprises.

Sources

ETS GRE official site, information on the test itself, preparation resources, and scoring.
Your target program's admissions page, the only authoritative source for whether the GRE is required, optional, or ignored. Policies vary by department and by year. Always verify directly with the program.