Is the GRE still mandatory for MS admissions in the USA or have universities made it optional?
No, the GRE is not blanket mandatory anymore. Around 60 to 70 percent of US graduate programs are now test-optional, waived, or fully ignored. Policies vary by department, so a strong GRE still helps competitive fields like Computer Science even where it is technically optional for you.
You are asking exactly the right question, because the answer changed permanently after 2020. The GRE is no longer a universal gate, but whether you need it depends entirely on the specific department you target, not the university as a whole.
The Three GRE Policy Types
| Policy | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Test-Optional | You choose whether to submit; a strong score helps, omitting it does not penalise you |
| Waived / Not Considered | The program ignores the score even if you send it |
| Conditional Waiver | Waived only if you meet criteria like a high GPA or relevant work experience |
How to Decide for Your Profile
| Your Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Strong GPA, competitive CS or Engineering | A GRE of 320+ still strengthens you even when optional |
| Lower GPA or backlogs | Submit a solid GRE to offset the weakness |
| High GPA, GRE-waiver eligible | Skip it and invest that time in your SOP and projects |
My Advice
Read each program's admissions page yourself rather than trusting general lists, because policies shift every 2026-2027 cycle. If your GPA is average, treat a 320+ GRE as your best lever to prove academic readiness. If your profile is already strong, redirect the prep hours into research and a sharper statement of purpose.
More expert answers
The GRE has not disappeared, but it is no longer a blanket requirement. Around sixty percent of US universities have moved to test-optional or waiver policies, yet most elite STEM departments still lean on it to filter huge international applicant pools, so whether you take it depends on your profile.
Where the GRE Stands by University
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Waived or not considered | MIT (certain tracks), UC Berkeley, Purdue CS |
| Test-optional | Stanford (some tracks), USC Viterbi, Boston University |
| Still required or recommended | Many Top 50 quantitative and data science MS tracks |
Should You Take It?
| Your Profile | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| High GPA plus research | Target waived or optional schools, skip the exam |
| Low or average GPA | Take it; a 165-plus Quant compensates |
| Aiming at Ivy or funding | Take it to maximise fellowships and assistantships |
My Advice
Treat the GRE as a strategic tool, not an obligation. If your GPA is strong and you have research or internships, save the money and target optional schools; if your GPA is soft or you want funding, a 320-plus score genuinely lifts your file. Either way, remember dropping the GRE never removes the English test requirement, so TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo is still non-negotiable.
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