Pursuing a master’s degree in Canada is a dream for many students who want to enhance their academic qualifications and career prospects. Canada is one of the most sought-after foreign destinations for pursuing master’s.
The country is known for its student-friendly environment and affordable educational costs. Is GRE required for master’s in Canada 2023? It depends. Most of the universities in Canada require GRE score for various business, management and technical courses.
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In addition, a high GRE score for master’s in Canada will provide options for students to apply for various financial aid, loans, scholarships, and facilities. The GRE score solely depends on the GRE accepting universities in Canada for MS you are applying for.
The admission committee consider GRE as an important admission criterion, but there are a few universities that do not require GRE scores. You might have more queries regarding GRE and eligibility criteria to pursue your masters in Canada. This blog will delve deeper into the GRE exam, its requirements, format and list of universities accepting GRE in Canada!
What is GRE?
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) General Test is owned by the Educational Testing Service. It is a multiple-choice, computer-based, standardized test.
GRE is an essential step for the post-graduate school or business school application process. The admission committee looks at your GRE score, along with your academic record and other supporting materials, to assess your readiness for your academic study.
The GRE exam measures your basic arithmetic abilities, algebra, geometry, data analytics and college-level vocabulary. It also measures your aptitude to analyze and evaluate given material, think critically and solve complex problems. GRE has three sections, let’s look into each one in detail.
Analytical Writing
In Analytical Writing, the examiner expects the candidate to provide focused responses depending on the tasks received. It measures your ability to –
- Comprehend and express complex ideas effectively and with clarity in the English language
- Have strong reasons and examples to back your thoughts
- Examine claims and accompanying evidence
It comprises of two tasks, analyze an issue and analyze an argument, of thirty minutes each. You can secure a GRE score of 0 to 6 in this section, and the average score is 3.5.
Find free and low-cost GRE General Test prep materials like videos, books, and podcasts to prepare!
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Verbal Reasoning
In Verbal Reasoning, the test is divided into two tasks –
- Task 1 comprises six text completion questions and four sentence equivalence questions
- Task 2 consists of ten reading comprehension questions
These tasks are of 30 minutes each and measure your ability to –
- Analyze and draw conclusions from incomplete data. Decode the author’s perspective to understand the meaning they try to convey across levels
- Distinguish major and minor points and select based on importance and text’s structure
- Comprehend the meaning of individual words and the text
A candidate can secure a GRE score of 130 to 170 in the verbal reasoning section. The top 10% of the candidates score an average of 162 or higher in this test.
Quantitative Reasoning
This section tests your basic quantitative skills, along with your ability to solve your problems by using them. Here, there are three sections pertaining to algebra, geometry, data analysis, and basic arithmetic, and they cover the following –
- 7-8 quantitative comparison questions
- 12-13 problem-solving questions
You get a total of 35 minutes for each section, and quantitative reasoning tests your skills to:
- Comprehend, interpret and analyze quantitative information
- Solve mathematical problems
- Apply basic mathematical concepts for problem-solving
You can have a minimum score of 130 and a maximum of 170 on this test. The top 10% of all test takers score an average of 166 or higher on this test. GRE takes up to 4 hours with optional breaks of 12 minutes. The approximate tuition fee for taking up GRE is ₹15,000, including all expenses.
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Relevance of GRE Scores for MS in Canada
Canada is one of the most preferred choices for international students to do master’s courses. Here’s why:
- Top-notch Education: Canada is an education hub and home to some of the most prestigious universities in the world. Students choose to study MS in Canada is the top quality education and the best faculty.
- Affordable Fees: Canada offers affordable fees to programs in various disciplines. Students need not take the burden of a huge sum of money. Meritorious students are also provided with financial aid, scholarships, loans and other options to manage their finances.
- Extensive Research and Job Opportunities: International students get exposure and extensive research opportunities in various disciplines like medicine, healthcare, technology, science, agriculture etc.
- Placement Facility: Canadian universities also provide global placement facilities to their students. And, if you obtain a high GRE score for MS in Canada, you can get into top universities with exposure to a successful future, better pay and a good job role.
Now that you’ve realized the benefits of doing an MS in Canada, do you want to know more about the eligibility criteria? and the ultimate question: is GRE required for a master’s in Canada? Let’s find out the answer to this question and get to know more details.
Is GRE Required For Master’s in Canada?
GRE is an important admission requirement for international students interested in pursuing an MS program in Canada. However, several top Canadian universities accept students only based on IELTS or TOEFL scores.
It is imperative to understand that it is difficult to gauge the efficiency and capabilities of international students. GRE is a universally recognized standard test for graduate program students.
Many universities accept it as an alternative to GMAT results. Some universities also have cut-offs for GRE scores, while others may not have any minimum requirements. It allows these educational bodies to bring everyone on the same page and evaluate them bias-free.
GRE scores are essential for a number of fields and programs. Here’s a list you can refer to:
| Courses | Average GRE Score |
| Social Science | 300-310 |
| Engineering | 300-320 |
| Computer Science | 270-300 |
| Education | 300-305 |
| Humanities | 300-310 |
GRE Cut Off for MS in Canada
There is a GRE cut-off score for each university as a part of the admission criteria. Top Canadian universities require a minimum score range between 320-340. And if you get a score between 300-310, you’ll have fewer options, but you can get into a decent university.
Section-wise, students should at least get an average score of 150 in quantitative and verbal reasoning and an overall 4.0 in analytical writing. Experts recommend aspiring candidates to aim for the highest score in the band rather than just clearing the minimum score, so they can enter the best universities and they get more options to apply.
The cutoff requirement or minimum GRE scores depends upon the individual university. Stay aware and get clarity of the minimum score requirements of your dream universities to ease your way through the preparation.
Top GRE Accepting Universities in Canada for MS
If you’re looking for top universities accepting GRE scores in Canada, here’s a comprehensive list. These universities are well-known for their academic excellence, research opportunities, and diverse student communities.
They offer a wide range of master’s programs in various disciplines like engineering, business, science, and social sciences. If you’re considering pursuing a master’s degree in Canada, these GRE accepting universities are a great place to begin your research.
| Top Universities | Required GRE Scores |
| The University of British Columbia, Vancouver | 307 |
| University of Toronto | 167 and above in GRE quantitative |
| McGill University | 321 |
| University of Alberta | 310 |
| University of Waterloo | 307 |
| Queen’s University | 315 |
| Dalhousie University Halifax | 300 |
MS in Canada Without GRE Scores
There is another version of answer to the question, Is GRE required for master’s in Canada?
Even though GRE is compulsory in many of the top Canadian universities, you can still get admission to a good MS course without your GRE score. Instead, other factors like academic profile, personal statement, and language proficiency are considered a criterion for admission. Here are a few leading universities that don’t ask for a GRE score mandatorily:
- University of Manitoba
- Concordia University
- University of Windsor
- Royal Roads University
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Trent University
- Capilano University
- Thompson River University
- University of Ontario Institute of Technology\
GRE scores are valid for five years and ETS keeps your score report for five years
How is the GRE different from IELTS?
While GRE is primarily for those looking to pursue a master’s, IELTS is a generic course that seeks to establish the candidate’s English proficiency. While they may seem similar, the GRE exam is applicable both for entrance and screening reasons.
In contrast, the IELTS is primarily for academic and workplace proficiency testing needs. Furthermore, GRE covers a wider spectrum compared to IELTS, making it a more reasonable inculcation for MS courses.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is owned and jointly managed by the British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English. While GRE has three sections, IELTS has four:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
GRE is not compulsory for international students looking to pursue master’s in Canadian universities, but they can write GRE to ascertain their overall qualitative grasp.
GRE is intended for bachelor’s degree holders looking to study abroad and are proficient in the English language. IELTS, on the other hand, is for non-native English applicants looking to study in countries like Canada and is often one of the key admission requirements.
Canada is one of the best countries to study for a master’s degree for Indian and international students. But there are several top universities with varying criteria, which can get confusing. So there is a need for you to get an expert’s opinion to understand your best chances.
Want more clarity to the question, Is GRE required for master’s in Canada?
At LeapScholar, we have experts with years of experience in guiding Indian students looking to apply in Canada for an MS, MBA, or any master’s course. Click here to sign up to get free counselling with LeapScholar today.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I do a Master’s in Canada without a GRE?
A few universities in Canada do not require you to present your GRE score during application compulsorily. Many of these may well require IELTS or TOEFL scores, though.
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Is GRE the same as IELTS?
GRE and IELTS have different uses. English-proficiency tests such as IELTS and TOEFL are for international students looking for admission in universities in English-speaking countries. GRE test score is required by universities abroad to understand a student’s academic readiness to study a master’s degree.
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Is GRE required for Master’s in Canada for MBA courses?
Depends. If GRE is a compulsory requirement of a university you are applying to, they will require you to have a minimum GRE score. Whereas, if GRE is not a part of mandatory eligibility, the GRE score does not matter for MBA in Canada.
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How can I send my GRE scores to universities in Canada?
You can send your GRE scores to universities in Canada through the ETS website itself. You can select the universities you want to send your GRE scores and pay a separate fee for each score report.
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Can I get admission in Canadian universities only with GRE scores?
Applications take all factors into consideration. GRE scores are definitely one of the important factors to improve the chances of admission and financial aid consideration. But there are other factors like academics, language proficiency, experience and many more factors.
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What is a good GRE score for admission to master’s programs in Canada?
A decent GRE score for admission to master’s programs in Canada varies depending on the university and program. Generally, a score above 150 in both the verbal and quantitative sections and a score above 4.0 in the analytical writing section is considered as good.
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What is the highest possible GRE score?
The highest GRE score which a candidate can get is 170 in verbal reasoning, 170 in quantitative reasoning, and 6.0 grade in analytical writing.
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