GRE Scores for Science Programs

Are you planning on a career in the sciences and looking to get a Master’s or PhD to make it happen? If so, you are probably wondering how important the GRE will be in your journey to your dream school. Do GRE scores for science programs matter? We’re here to share with you the ins and outs of the GRE for science graduate programs – read on!

Are GRE Scores for Science Programs Required?

Unfortunately, there’s no clear cut yes or no answer to this question. It depends on the field, the school, and, most likely, the year you are applying. Programs like Chemistry have largely moved away from requiring the GRE, with many programs going as far as not accepting GRE scores at all. Programs like Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics all have varying requirements when it comes to the GRE. Let’s talk about them!

Making Sense of GRE Requirements

Looking at department websites can be confusing! Different schools talk about the GRE, and whether they require it, in different ways. Even at the same school, in the same department, different programs or tracks may have different requirements when it comes to the test. It’s crucial to do careful research on every school you are thinking of applying to before making a decision about taking the GRE. Here are a few of the ways you will encounter GRE requirements:

• GRE Required: This means just what it says – the GRE is a required component of this program’s application. Sometimes programs that require the GRE will also give information about what their admitted students’ average scores are. For example, Stanford’s PhD program in Statistics lists average percentiles of 92% in Verbal, 94% in Quantitative, and 83% in Analytical Writing. Georgia Tech’s Computer Science PhD generally sees Verbal percentiles above 80% and Quant percentiles above 90%. In general, top programs (think ranked 1-25) will want a Quant score above the 85% percentile, if not more.
• GRE Optional: Here, the GRE is optional. This can be a difficult requirement to navigate. How do you know if you need to take an optional test? We’ll address strategizing under these conditions a little later, but know that you should make a careful note of which programs are optional in order to help make your decision. Sometimes program’s where the test is optional will list it as “not required” instead of optional. Generally, if a program will review your test scores they will make that clear in their application information. If you have questions, do not hesitate to reach out to the program for clarity. You don’t want to miss a chance to submit a GRE score that helps your application because you weren’t sure if they would look at it.
• GRE Not Accepted: In this case a school will not consider a GRE score at all. If your targeted school list only contains schools that do not accept the GRE, then you can confidently make the decisions not to take the exam. If your targeted list contains a mixture of programs, you’ll need to make some decisions about taking the test.
• GRE Subject Test Required/Optional: In this case schools are looking for the field specific subject test. This can be in addition to the GRE General Exam or independent of it. Make sure you check each program to see if this is a requirement for admission or a way to boost your application.

Why Don’t All Programs Accept the GRE and Could They Start Again?

School and programs have different reasons for accepting or not accepting the GRE. Some fields, like Chemistry, began the process of moving away from the GRE back around 2018. They did so in order to make more holistic decisions about applicants and because of doubts about the test’s ability to predict graduate level success. Other programs went away from the test due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Making the test optional, or not requiring it all, was a way to ensure equal access for all applicants.

So will the programs continue to not accept the GRE? It’s hard to know exactly, but there are some signs that more programs are moving towards requiring the GRE again. This is due to a mix of factors. Changes to universities admissions in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on race-conscious admissions programs have yet to be fully deployed. But, some admissions experts predict a renewed focus on test scores will come. Additionally, many schools that went away from the GRE are just now able to exam the impact of that decision on admissions and student performance. If those studies show performance was better when the GRE was accepted, we are likely to see a switch back.

For now, the most important thing as an applicant is to keep a close eye on requirements for 2024 applications. We may see changes as soon as this summer, so be careful to closely read requirements when applications open.

How to Decide If You Need to Take the GRE

Start by making a list of all schools you would be interested and willing to go to. Then, carefully review the test requirements for all of them. If they all require the test or all don’t, you have a clear path in front of you. What becomes more difficult is when you have a mix of some that do require, some that don’t, and some that are optional. How do you decide what to do then?

One place to start is making a ranking of your targeted schools. Let’s say you have 10 programs you want to apply to and only two require the GRE. You could decide to not take the test and not apply to those schools. This can be a valid decision. But, you should consider how much those schools appeal to you. Yes, taking the GRE is time consuming, expensive, and difficult. But, remember that it is a stepping stone to your ultimate goals: a spot in a great graduate program and a career in your chosen field. If everything else about the school is a good fit for you, it is likely a mistake to take it off the list just because it requires the GRE.

Here’s a useful exercise: consider yourself at the end of the application cycle looking at your acceptance letters. Are you disappointed that you don’t get to go to the school you left off? Does not having it as option feel like a regret? The test can be worth it if it means more, and better, opportunities for you.

Let’s consider what to do if you have 10 programs and four of them are GRE optional. This can be a trickier decision. Here, you need to consider the rest of your application. Does taking the GRE and getting a strong score improve your profile any? If you have some weaknesses in your GPA or the amount of science/math classes in your transcript, a strong Quant score can help mitigate those. Most science programs will be primarily looking at your Quant score, but top schools will be looking for scores above 80% for all sections at a minimum.

Takeaways

It’s important that you research each school you are interested in carefully. You’ll need to know what their policy towards the GRE is and how it fits into your application strategy. Remember that most programs don’t open their applications until late summer or early fall, so information that you see in June may not be the same as what you see in August. Do your research early, reach out to schools if there’s any uncertainty about requirements, and make a plan to check back in later in the summer.

If you are applying to programs that require the GRE or have it as an option, getting a strong score can help you stand out in competitive fields. A Magoosh Premium Plan can help you achieve the type of strong scores that you’ll need. Start studying today!