Is GRE Required in 2026? GRE-Optional vs GRE-Required Universities

“Is the GRE required in 2026?” — this is the single most-asked question by Indian students planning a Master's or PhD in the USA. The answer is nuanced: some top programmes have reinstated the GRE, others remain test-optional, and a handful explicitly do not consider it. Understanding the difference between GRE-required, GRE-optional, and GRE-not-considered can make or break your application strategy. At EEC, with 29+ years of experience and 50,000+ students placed abroad, we track university policies in real-time so our students never miss a requirement change. This guide maps the entire GRE landscape for Fall 2026 admissions — covering every top programme's policy, data on whether submitting optional scores helps, and EEC's expert recommendation for Indian applicants.

The GRE-Optional Trend: How We Got Here

During the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022), hundreds of US universities waived the GRE requirement because students could not access test centres. What began as an emergency measure turned into a philosophical debate about standardised testing in graduate admissions. By 2023, roughly 60% of top-50 US graduate programmes had adopted some form of test-optional policy. However, the trend has been reversing since 2024.

Several elite programmes — including MIT's engineering departments, UC Berkeley's EECS, and Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science — reinstated the GRE in 2024-25, citing data that GRE scores (especially Quantitative) correlate with first-year academic performance. By 2026, the landscape is a patchwork: some programmes require the GRE, many are optional, and very few actively discourage it. For Indian students, understanding each target university's specific policy is critical because applying without a GRE score to a programme that “recommends” it can quietly disadvantage your application.

The current GRE (since September 2023) takes just ~1 hour 58 minutes and costs ₹23,452 (flat localized Indian pricing, taxes included) in India. The shorter format has made the test more accessible than ever — removing one of the key arguments that universities used for going test-optional during the pandemic. As the test becomes easier to take, more programmes are reinstating it.

GRE-Required Universities: Top Programmes That Mandate GRE Scores

These are the universities and departments that require GRE scores for Fall 2026 applications. If you are targeting any of these programmes, you must take the GRE — there is no way around it. These tend to be the most competitive STEM and engineering programmes in the country.

The pattern is clear: elite STEM and engineering programmes are leading the GRE reinstatement wave. If your target list includes MIT, Berkeley, CMU, or Caltech, the GRE is non-negotiable. For a comprehensive GRE preparation strategy, see our GRE Complete Guide for India 2026.

GRE-Optional Universities: Major Programmes Where GRE Is Not Mandatory

These programmes accept GRE scores but do not require them. The key word is “optional” — which means you can submit, and in many cases you should. Admissions committees at these schools review GRE scores when provided and often view strong scores as a positive differentiator, especially for international applicants from India who may not have a recognisable undergraduate institution.

Should You Submit GRE Scores When They Are Optional?

This is the million-dollar question. EEC's recommendation is based on analysing admission outcomes of thousands of Indian applicants over the past three cycles:

When to Submit

Submit your GRE if: your Quant score is above the programme's median (typically Q163+ for top-50 programmes), your overall score is 315+ for general programmes or 320+ for top-20 programmes, or if you come from a lesser-known Indian university and need a standardised benchmark to validate your academic strength. For international students from India, a strong GRE score is often the only universally comparable metric across applications.

When NOT to Submit

Do not submit if: your Quant score is below 155 (for STEM programmes), your overall score is below 310, or if your profile is already extremely strong (top-5 IIT, 9.5+ CGPA, published research, strong recommendations). In these rare cases, the GRE adds little marginal value and a mediocre score could be a distraction.

Data on Optional vs Submitted: What the Numbers Say

Multiple studies and university disclosures have shed light on how GRE-optional policies play out in practice. The evidence strongly suggests that submitting strong GRE scores at optional programmes improves admission rates, particularly for international applicants:

According to data from several engineering departments, applicants who submitted GRE scores of 320+ had 15-25% higher admission rates than those who did not submit at GRE-optional programmes. This effect was strongest at mid-tier top-50 programmes (ranks 15-40) where competition is high but holistic review means every data point matters. At super-elite programmes (top 5), the effect was smaller because those schools have extremely low admit rates regardless.

For funding decisions— TA/RA positions, fellowships, and scholarships — the GRE's impact was even more pronounced. Many departments use GRE Quant as a quick screening metric when allocating limited funding to a large applicant pool. International students who submitted strong Quant scores were more likely to receive funding offers.

“When a GRE score is optional, we still look at it if provided. A strong Quant score tells us the student can handle our rigorous curriculum. For international applicants without US GPAs, the GRE is often the most objective benchmark we have.”

— Paraphrased from multiple admissions officers, Top-30 US Engineering Programmes

PhD vs MS: How GRE Requirements Differ

PhD and MS programmes often have different GRE policies, even within the same department. Here is the general pattern for Fall 2026:

PhD Programmes

PhD programmes are more likely to require or strongly recommend the GRE. Because PhD admissions involve significant financial investment (5+ years of funding), departments want every possible data point. The GRE Quant score is especially important for STEM PhD programmes. Many departments that went optional for MS have quietly kept the GRE for PhD track. For detailed PhD score targets, see our GRE for PhD in USA guide.

MS Programmes

MS programmes are more varied. Course-based MS programmes (no thesis) are more likely to be GRE-optional, while thesis-based MS programmes that involve research funding are more likely to require or recommend it. Competitive MS CS programmes at top-20 schools, whether required or optional, practically expect GRE scores from international applicants. Check the specific GRE score requirements for MS in USA.

GRE-Optional ≠ GRE-Not-Helpful: The Critical Distinction

This is perhaps the most important takeaway from this entire article: GRE-optional does NOT mean the GRE does not help your application. It simply means the university will still consider your application if you do not submit a score. But “considering your application” and “giving you the best possible chance of admission” are two very different things.

Think of it this way: if two Indian applicants have similar GPAs, similar universities, similar research experience, and similar recommendation letters — but one submits a GRE score of 325 (Q168, V157) and the other submits no GRE — which applicant has the stronger file? The answer is obvious. The GRE score is an additional data point that can only help a strong applicant.

The only scenario where not submitting is better is when your score is below the programme average. In that case, silence is better than a weak signal. But the solution is not to avoid the GRE — it is to prepare properly and score well. EEC's 320+ preparation strategy is designed exactly for this purpose.

EEC's Expert Recommendation for Indian Students in 2026

Based on 29+ years of placing Indian students in US universities and analysing thousands of admission outcomes, here is EEC's clear recommendation:

Take the GRE. Prepare well. Score 315+. Then decide university by university whether to submit based on your score relative to the programme median. This strategy gives you maximum flexibility — you can apply to both GRE-required and GRE-optional programmes, and you can choose to submit or withhold based on what strengthens each individual application.

The current GRE (since September 2023) is just ~1 hour 58 minutes — Analytical Writing (1 essay, 30 min) + Verbal (2 sections, 27 questions, 41 min) + Quant (2 sections, 27 questions, 47 min). Scores range from 130-170 for Verbal and Quant, 0-6 for AW, and the test fee in India is ₹23,452 (flat localized Indian pricing, taxes included). With a 5-year validity, one good GRE score can serve multiple application cycles.

EEC's GRE coaching programme is designed for exactly this approach. At just ₹15,000 for Online Live + Pre-recorded access with 4-hour daily sessions, it is the most affordable and comprehensive GRE preparation available. Our faculty includes IIT/NIT graduates who understand Quant at the highest level, and our counsellors help you build a strategic university shortlist after you receive your score. With 26 centres across Gujarat for in-person counselling plus fully online coaching accessible from anywhere in India, EEC makes expert GRE guidance available to every serious applicant.

Ready to get started? Book a free consultation with EEC to discuss your GRE preparation plan and university shortlist. Or explore our GRE Complete Guide, GRE scores for MS in USA, and best GRE coaching in India.

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