Written By - Erika Lasrado

Reviewed By OMC Staff

An individual’s analytical writing, verbal, and quantitative reasoning skills are evaluated through a standardized test called the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The exam is a way of assessing whether a student is capable of pursuing independent graduate-level study. Traditionally, GRE and Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores are gauging scales for many universities and colleges. A good GRE score helps make the admission process easy for the university and yourself.  

For advanced preparation, GRE prep courses, online sample papers, mock exams, and study guides are available. From the time you have applied for the exam, you have up to five chances within 12 months to attempt the exam. You may not need to pay for the exam at every attempt; however, if you cancel or reschedule your exam, your fee will not be refunded. Also, the GRE scores’ shelf-life is five years.

Do I need GRE for a master’s degree?

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Featured Online Programs

Southern New Hampshire University

PROGRAM: Online Masters Degrees

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 3,000 on-campus students and over 60,000 online students, making us one of the fastest-growing universities in the country. Founded in 1932, we’ve been relentlessly reinventing higher education ever since and have gained national recognition for our dedication to helping students transform their lives and the lives of those around them.

We’re proud to provide affordable, accessible education that students can pursue on our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH, over our innovative online platform or at our regional centers in Manchester, Nashua, Portsmouth and Salem, NH, and Brunswick, ME.

SNHU has earned the GetEducated.com Best Buy and Best of Business – Best Online Degree awards and is consistently ranked as a top Military Friendly® School by G.I Jobs®.

Can You Get Your GRE Waived?

Although GRE scores are considered one of the main aspects of the student admission process, a few universities and colleges do not ask for them as part of their admissions requirements. Some schools have waived them in the last two years due to the pandemic, while others waive the score requirement against specific criteria — such as a high Grade Point Average (GPA) and/or a few years of work experience. Master’s degree holders applying to graduate school for another graduate-level program may not be required to submit their GRE scores too. Each university has a process explaining how to waive your score, which includes the following few steps and petitioning your school to waive the exam for your application.

How to Get Your Score Waived

Most graduate programs are designed with GRE scores as a mandate. However, there can be some scenarios where the college or university can waive your scores, such as:

  1. Academic History: The universities’ admission committee will look into your Grade Point Average (GPA), which for many top universities should be at least on the scale of 3.0–4.0 in undergraduate studies.
  2. Experience: For some master’s programs, the university will look into your work experience. Fieldwork or internships will make a difference in the admission process, and the GRE score will be waived.
  3. Awards/Recognitions: Any previous awards, recognitions, citations, and accolades could be considered for a GRE score waiver.
  4. Statement of Purpose: A well-written statement of purpose (SoP) clearly stating where and how you stand out is another factor that helps score waiving. Your SoP should showcase your writing and grammar skills.
  5. Letter of Recommendation: A good letter of recommendation from the previous employer(s) or teachers that reflects upon your candidature also helps.

The steps to apply for a GRE score waiver are as follows:

  1. Step 1: Check with the university’s admission office for a waiver petition form.
  2. Step 2: Prepare and keep all the required documentation ready, including the letter(s) of recommendation and personal statement or statement of purpose.
  3. Step 3: Submit your papers along with the application form.

Universities considering waiving GRE scores will accept the reasons and your application if you meet all the criteria. You will be asked to write the GRE if your request is rejected.

Most Popular Online Master’s Programs That Don’t Require GRE Scores

While master’s programs in some disciplines would almost always require GRE scores to be submitted at the time of admission, waivers are more frequent in a few other disciplines. There are top universities that offer no GRE programs, and the most common subjects without GRE requirements or may have score waivers are in the fields of:

  1. Advertising
  2. Business Administration
  3. Computer Science
  4. Data Analytics
  5. Finance
  6. Healthcare Administration
  7. Human Resources
  8. Accounting
  9. Criminal Justice
  10. Information technology

Related Content

A master’s degree is arguably the most crucial step to career advancement or change. Therefore, it is essential to be informed of what graduate-level study is all about to make good choices and the right decisions. Here are some informative reads to help you in that endeavor:

  1. Cost of a Master’s – Find out how much your master’s degree will cost, the factors influencing the cost of a degree, and how you can fund your education.
  2. Why Online Masters – Learn about the advantages and benefits of an online master’s program and everything you need to know about why they can help you obtain a degree quicker and save you money.
  3. Accreditation Guide – Being one of the more essential aspects of college education, learn all about accreditation, why it is crucial, and why you should care.
  4. The GRE Guide – Check out this comprehensive guide on the Graduate Records Examination or GRE. Find out what it entails, fees, format, structure, how to apply, and more.
  5. The GMAT Guide – If you are applying for business school, this Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) resource will provide all the information you need to apply for the test and score well.
  6. GMAT vs. GRE – Confused about which exam to take and the differences between the Graduate Records Examination and Graduate Management Admission Test? Read this comprehensive guide for a complete picture.
  7. Résumé for Grad School – Discover what universities look for in a résumé and get some tips on how you can write a stellar one.
  8. Transferring Colleges – Learn how to transfer colleges and universities and how to use your credits to shorten your time in college.
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