To GRE or Not GRE?
The GRE is a three part exam involving verbal and quantitative reasoning, plus an analytical writing section. It takes time to prepare for this exam and money to register in advance of applying to graduate school. However, more and more graduate programs are changing their policies and are NOT requiring GRE general and/or GRE subject scores as part of their admissions process. In fact, UC Berkeley’s vice provost for graduate studies and dean of the Graduate Division Lisa García Bedolla shared in a story by UC Berkeley News that “The research clearly shows that there are significant race, gender and socioeconomic disparities in GRE scores.” As of fall 2021, 90% of UC Berkeley graduate programs do not require the GRE anymore.
So how do you know?
- Well, you should review the admission information on the website of the graduate school program of interest. You can also e-mail or call them (the department and/or the graduate division) to ask.
Can I get a GRE Discount?
- The Educational Testing Service (ETS) website, the orchestrators of the GRE, list the cost as $205 for the General GRE and $150 for the Subject GRE. The Subject GRE is offered in four areas: Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. In addition, their website also provides a variety of test prep tools that you can use, some for free, that can help people one prepare.
- If you are required to take the GRE (and/or the Subject GRE), you may want to review ETS’ website to see if you qualify for their Fee Reduction Program. The Fee Reduction Program provides a voucher worth a 50% discount on your GRE cost.
- Their website also lists over 15 national undergraduate programs that work with students from non-dominant groups (such as first generation college students, low-income, and underrepresented) that qualify for these vouchers through their participation in these student support college programs. ETS may also provide those that qualify for this program with free access to their POWERPREP PLUS and ScoreItNow practice tests.