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If you are planning to study for a master's or doctoral degree abroad, you may have come across the question, what is GRE? The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test used by many graduate programs to evaluate applicants' verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills.
While an increasing number of universities have made standardized tests optional for some programs, the GRE remains required, accepted, or considered in various graduate programs. However, requirements can change by university, department, and academic year. Students should always check the official admissions page for their specific program before registering for the GRE test.
The GRE General Test assesses:
For example, MIT states that there is no minimum GRE score requirement at the university level, while individual departments determine whether GRE scores are required.
GRE policies at MIT are determined by individual graduate programs. For example, MIT's Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences program required the GRE General Test for its AY 2026 admissions cycle and stated that it had no minimum GRE score.
This demonstrates why students should research the exact department rather than assuming that one GRE policy applies to the entire university.
For example, Stanford Graduate School of Business requires applicants to submit a valid GMAT or GRE score and does not set a minimum GRE score requirement.
Stanford's PhD program in Statistics also requires the GRE General Test and reports that recently admitted applicants had strong average GRE scores.
At the same time, some Stanford programs do not require GRE scores. For example, Stanford's Graduate School of Education made GRE scores optional for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The Berkeley Graduate Division explains that some programs require standardized tests while others have different requirements. The university specifically advises applicants to check the requirements for their intended program.
For example, UC Berkeley's Economics graduate admissions information includes official GRE score reporting among supporting documents when applicable, while its Statistics and Data Science master's program states that the GRE was not required for Fall 2026.
Therefore, Berkeley applicants should never assume that a GRE score is universally required or universally accepted across the university.
A university may have:
Similarly, Stanford's Mechanical Engineering master's program states that the GRE will not be accepted for applications received through January 2027.
This makes checking the official program website an essential part of GRE preparation and university planning.
Instead of focusing only on a target number, research:
Start with a diagnostic GRE practice test to understand your current level. Then divide your preparation between Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
Regular practice should include:
A GRE calculator may be available as an on-screen tool during the Quantitative Reasoning section, depending on the test format and current ETS policies. Students should therefore become familiar with the official GRE test interface and available tools rather than relying on personal calculators during practice.
A strong GRE score may provide additional evidence of academic readiness in some applications, but there is no benefit in taking the exam simply because a university somewhere accepts it.
Consider taking the GRE if:
Top institutions such as MIT, Stanford, and UC Berkeley have graduate programs where GRE scores may be required, accepted, optional, or not accepted. The policy can differ even between departments within the same university, so applicants should always verify the latest requirements directly with their intended program.
If the GRE is relevant to your graduate school plans, early preparation can give you more time to identify weaknesses, take practice tests, and improve your score.
The Princeton Review Singapore provide Top GRE Courses Online to help students prepare with structured lessons, practice resources, expert strategies, and comprehensive GRE preparation support for their graduate school goals.
While an increasing number of universities have made standardized tests optional for some programs, the GRE remains required, accepted, or considered in various graduate programs. However, requirements can change by university, department, and academic year. Students should always check the official admissions page for their specific program before registering for the GRE test.
What Is GRE and Why Does It Matter?
The GRE exam is designed to measure skills that are considered relevant to graduate-level study. A student's GRE score can be submitted alongside academic transcripts, recommendation letters, a statement of purpose, and other application materials.The GRE General Test assesses:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Analytical Writing
For example, MIT states that there is no minimum GRE score requirement at the university level, while individual departments determine whether GRE scores are required.
Top Universities Where GRE Scores May Be Accepted
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
MIT is one of the world's leading universities for graduate education, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and related fields.GRE policies at MIT are determined by individual graduate programs. For example, MIT's Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences program required the GRE General Test for its AY 2026 admissions cycle and stated that it had no minimum GRE score.
This demonstrates why students should research the exact department rather than assuming that one GRE policy applies to the entire university.
2. Stanford University
Stanford University accepts GRE scores for certain graduate programs, but requirements differ significantly between departments.For example, Stanford Graduate School of Business requires applicants to submit a valid GMAT or GRE score and does not set a minimum GRE score requirement.
Stanford's PhD program in Statistics also requires the GRE General Test and reports that recently admitted applicants had strong average GRE scores.
At the same time, some Stanford programs do not require GRE scores. For example, Stanford's Graduate School of Education made GRE scores optional for the 2026–2027 academic year.
3. University of California, Berkeley
UC Berkeley is another major university where GRE policies vary by graduate program.The Berkeley Graduate Division explains that some programs require standardized tests while others have different requirements. The university specifically advises applicants to check the requirements for their intended program.
For example, UC Berkeley's Economics graduate admissions information includes official GRE score reporting among supporting documents when applicable, while its Statistics and Data Science master's program states that the GRE was not required for Fall 2026.
Therefore, Berkeley applicants should never assume that a GRE score is universally required or universally accepted across the university.
Why Program-Specific GRE Requirements Matter
One of the biggest mistakes prospective students make is searching only for a list of universities that accept the GRE. The more important question is whether your specific graduate program requires, accepts, or considers the GRE.A university may have:
- Programs where the GRE is required
- Programs where the GRE is optional
- Programs where the GRE is not accepted
- Programs where requirements change between admission cycles
Similarly, Stanford's Mechanical Engineering master's program states that the GRE will not be accepted for applications received through January 2027.
This makes checking the official program website an essential part of GRE preparation and university planning.
What GRE Score Should You Aim For?
There is no single ideal GRE score for every university or course. Competitive programs may attract applicants with strong scores, but admissions decisions usually consider the complete application.Instead of focusing only on a target number, research:
- The average or typical scores of admitted students, when published.
- Whether the program requires or accepts the GRE.
- Whether there is a minimum score.
- How much importance the department places on GRE performance.
- Whether your academic background and other application materials are competitive.
How to Prepare for the GRE Test
Once you confirm that your target programs accept or require the GRE, create a structured preparation plan.Start with a diagnostic GRE practice test to understand your current level. Then divide your preparation between Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
Regular practice should include:
- Timed GRE practice questions
- Full-length practice tests
- Vocabulary development
- Quantitative problem-solving
- Analytical Writing practice
- Review of incorrect answers
A GRE calculator may be available as an on-screen tool during the Quantitative Reasoning section, depending on the test format and current ETS policies. Students should therefore become familiar with the official GRE test interface and available tools rather than relying on personal calculators during practice.
Should You Take the GRE If It Is Optional?
If a program makes the GRE optional, deciding whether to take it requires careful consideration.A strong GRE score may provide additional evidence of academic readiness in some applications, but there is no benefit in taking the exam simply because a university somewhere accepts it.
Consider taking the GRE if:
- Your target programs accept or recommend scores.
- You believe your score will strengthen your application.
- You have enough time for effective preparation.
- Your practice results indicate that you can achieve a competitive score.
Final Thoughts
The answer to what is GRE goes beyond simply defining it as a graduate admissions test. For prospective students, understanding where and how the GRE is used is equally important.Top institutions such as MIT, Stanford, and UC Berkeley have graduate programs where GRE scores may be required, accepted, optional, or not accepted. The policy can differ even between departments within the same university, so applicants should always verify the latest requirements directly with their intended program.
If the GRE is relevant to your graduate school plans, early preparation can give you more time to identify weaknesses, take practice tests, and improve your score.
The Princeton Review Singapore provide Top GRE Courses Online to help students prepare with structured lessons, practice resources, expert strategies, and comprehensive GRE preparation support for their graduate school goals.