Guidelines for GRE Test Scores

Updated: August 2022

The faculty Administrative Board of The Graduate School sets policy concerning the use of standardized test scores as part of the admissions application process. Current policy is that the GRE test is not required centrally by The Graduate School; however, individual graduate programs may require test scores as part of their admissions applications.

If programs opt to require GRE test scores, the following standards are also applicable:

1. Recommended minimum thresholds must be met.
2. One approved exception is for applicants who already hold a research or professional doctorate degree (by request from the admitting academic program).
3. Academic programs may also request substitute test scores specific to their discipline, most commonly MCAT or LSAT scores, be used in place of the required GRE. Programs wishing to have a substitute on file in The Graduate School may submit their proposed exam substitute in writing and confirm that any applicant to their graduate program has this exam substitute option available to them.

The following guidelines are intended to assist academic programs that may wish to petition for a partial waiver of standardized test scores as part of the admissions application. Please note that international applicants will still be required to submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores.

Waiver petitions should be submitted to the Academic Policy Committee of the Administrative Board of The Graduate School for review and approval. Proposals will be evaluated at regularly scheduled meetings during the academic year and will only be approved for the upcoming year’s admissions cycle. All proposals should address the following points:

• Provide the rationale and background for the test score waiver petition. What academic goals does the program wish to accomplish with this change?
• Describe the decision process and outcome/votes the faculty used in arriving at a decision to request the test score waiver.
• Describe in detail the formal objective criteria that will be used to evaluate a subset of applicants with GRE scores.
• Specify the timeframe for assessing the impact of this change on the program’s admissions activities and outcomes.
• Include any additional supporting materials to assist reviewers in evaluating the program’s proposal.

The Academic Policy Committee will offer feedback as appropriate on proposals prior to a vote. Prior to beginning formal planning, please contact the Associate Dean for Academics to discuss the proposal, address questions, and review sample petitions.