Universities Waiving Off GRE/GMAT for Fall & Spring 2025

Universities Waiving Off GRE/GMAT for Fall & Spring 2025

Many of you are in your final year of higher education, in your undergraduate degrees. And if you’re reading this article, then you’re probably considering the USA for your master’s degree.
Now, in a few months, you’ll have to write your final exams, or maybe you’ve already written them. The last thing you want to be doing after that is preparing for yet another vigorous exam.
And believe us, the GRE and GMAT are both vigorous. Also, if you don’t get a “target” score on either, you could end up hurting your chances of admission.
No score is better than a bad score.

Now, earlier, 999 out of 1000 universities used to require either a GMAT or a GRE score as an admission requirement.  In 2025 however, there are hundreds of universities waiving off the GRE/GMAT requirement in the USA.
And we’re going to tell you all about them.
So let’s get started.

What are the GRE and GMAT?

Before we give you the list of universities that are waiving off the GRE / GMAT requirement in the USA, let’s learn what each exam is.

Here’s a table explaining the key differences between the GMAT and GRE for USA:

“GRE” is short for “Graduate Record Examination”, and is offered by a company called Education Testing Services, or ETS. Their headquarters are outside of Princeton and have been operating since 1947, the year India became independent. Though ETS took over in 1947, the GRE was actually created in 1936. The University of Wisconsin was the first school to ask potential students to take it for admission in 1949. Now, the GRE is the go-to test for most graduate programs in the USA, from arts to sciences and everything in between. It is a broad assessment designed to evaluate three key skills: quantitative reasoning, analytical reasoning, and verbal communication.

“GMAT” is an acronym for “Graduate Management Admissions Test”, and is offered by the “Graduate Management Admissions Council”, or GMAC. The GMAT (and GMAC) are both slightly younger than the GRE, being started in 1953. This is the preferred choice for business schools and MBA programs. We like to tell people that the GMAT is the GRE’s cousin who did an MBA. The GMAT focuses on integrated reasoning, quantitative reasoning, logic, and verbal skills. If the GRE is a mental obstacle course, the GMAT is more like a corporate boot camp. 

Long story short, the GMAT is designed to test only those skills that will be handy in corporate life. The GRE is more general, testing your overall academic know-how.

Now with that done, let’s talk about whether you should opt for a GMAT / GRE waiver, given the chance. 

Does waiving off the GRE / GMAT for 2025 admissions make a difference?

Now, as we mentioned, many universities in the USA are waiving the GRE/GMAT requirement for 2025. But the question remains—should you take advantage of the waiver, or is it better to prepare for and take the exams anyway?

Well, the answer is both simple and layered. You see, opting for a waiver affects your admission prospects. However, whether that effect is positive or negative depends on your profile and the way you use the waiver. 

Think of it as how removing training wheels from a bicycle makes a difference – it depends entirely on how well you can ride without them.

There are many benefits of applying to universities that are waiving off the GRE / GMAT requirement for the USA.

The main ones are:

• You save around $205-275 on test fees
• No need to spend thousands on expensive courses or tutoring 
• No need to spend 3-6 months preparing for yet another exam
• One less thing to worry about during your application process
• You can concentrate on making other parts of your application stronger
• You don’t have to worry about finding and traveling to a testing center, which can be especially challenging in smaller cities and towns
• Universities look at your actual achievements and experience rather than how well you perform in a standardized testing environment
• You can apply to universities based on when your profile is strongest, not when you finally get that target test score

But the flip side is that opting for a waiver will change how admission panels look at your application. Compare it to a job application. If you opt to show a portfolio instead of taking a skills test there — it better be a good portfolio.

So if you do opt not to submit a GMAT or GRE score, the university will put more weight on other aspects. 

Key ones include your:

• Academic Performance
• Co-curricular activities 
• Portfolios of work (for creative degrees)
• Any other certifications you have (CFA, CPA, ACCA)
• Work Experience
• Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose

And, here’s something interesting we’ve noticed: Universities that waive these requirements often end up with more diverse student bodies. 

Why? 

Because they’re looking at real achievements rather than standardized test scores – scores that might be influenced by factors like access to test prep resources or comfort with American-style testing formats.

But there’s a catch, and it’s a big one. 

When you opt for a GRE / GMAT waiver, you’re essentially saying, “Judge me by everything else I’ve done.” 

This means your application needs to be rock-solid in other areas. 

A mediocre GPA or lukewarm recommendation letter won’t cut it anymore because you don’t have a stellar test score to balance them out.

And here’s another thing to consider: Some universities might use these waivers to assess how well you evaluate yourself. 

If you opt for a waiver when you could have gotten a good score, or if you submit a poor score when you could have requested a waiver, that says something about your judgment, doesn’t it?

So, does waiving off the GRE/GMAT make a difference? 

Absolutely. 

But whether that difference works in your favor depends entirely on the strength of your overall profile.

And with that covered, let’s look at the universities that are waiving off the GRE/GMAT requirement in the USA for 2025.

List of Universities waiving off the GRE/GMAT for the USA Spring 2025 admissions 

Here is the list of universities that are waiving off the GRE / GMAT for the USA in 2025:

As we mentioned, our list only has the ones from the top 250 universities, according to the QS University Rankings (2025). However, there are hundreds more, including several smaller ones.

You can see that some of the USA’s best-known universities are offering GRE and GMAT waivers. But should this really be a key factor in your university selection?

For most students, focusing on broader, more impactful criteria makes a lot more sense. Things like universities where you can:

• Be assured of a high return on investment (ROI) based on alumni success and salaries.
• Apply with confidence knowing your profile matches the program’s requirements.
• Secure funding more easily from banks, given your program’s reputation and employability statistics.

That’s where GradRight steps in to help.

You start by creating an account and completing your profile, including details like your academic background, career aspirations, and budget. Based on this, GradRight’s AI-powered algorithm compares 8 million+ data points across 40,000+ programs in 4,000+ universities worldwide to provide a shortlist of the best matches for you.

With advanced comparison tools, you can evaluate universities on factors like placement rates, tuition fees, and alumni network strength. If you’re still unsure, you can consult an SR expert who will guide you through the complexities of the application process and address your unique concerns.

Ready to take the guesswork out of university selection? Sign up on GradRight’s university-search platform and make a confident choice today.

Now that you understand how to find the best university for your goals, let’s dive into more options. There are many universities waiving off GRE and GMAT requirements for Fall 2025 admissions—let’s explore them further.

Universities Waiving off the GRE / GMAT Requirement in the USA for Fall 2025 Admissions

The Fall intake is the most popular and competitive admission cycle for universities in the USA. 

It starts in August/September and sees the highest volume of applications.

And because it’s the most competitive intake, universities might be more selective about offering these waivers. 

While we’ve listed several universities offering waivers, policies can change rapidly. 

This is especially true for high-demand programs. 

A university might offer waivers for Spring intake but require test scores for Fall due to the larger applicant pool.

That’s why we strongly recommend reaching out to universities directly. 

Most have made this incredibly easy. You can chat with admissions officers online, send a quick email, or call their toll-free numbers. 

It’s better to spend five minutes confirming the requirements than assume a waiver exists and have your application rejected.

With that covered, in our last section, we’ll go over the eligibility criteria to get a waiver.

Eligibility criteria to qualify for a waiver

Here’s something interesting about GRE/ GMAT waivers that most websites won’t tell you. 

Many top-tier universities, especially the Ivy League, already list these tests as “optional but recommended.” 

This is them giving you a wink and saying “Well, if you’ve got a great score, show us, but if not, we’re still interested in what else you bring to the table.”

But let’s say you want to formally request a waiver. Here’s what typically makes you eligible:

• GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale)
• Relevant coursework in your field
• Research publications or presentations
• Previous master’s degree or specialized certifications
• 2+ years of work experience in your field
• Leadership positions or significant projects
• Industry certifications
• Patents or innovations in your area of work

You’ll need to write to the admissions team requesting a waiver.  In 99% of cases, they’ll agree.

Granted, some universities may write back and request additional materials or information. In the past, we’ve seen students get asked for:

• A short essay explaining why they need a waiver
• A detailed resume highlighting quantitative and analytical skills
• “Evidence of CPD” (continuous professional development)
• Completing a university-specific assessment or interview

Remember though – just because you can get a waiver doesn’t always mean you should. If the program of your choice is competitive, take a year off and get that high test score. 

It could be the difference between getting into your dream program or not. And with that, we finish this article on universities waiving off the GRE / GMAT requirement for the USA next year. All the best with your search.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the GRE waived in the USA?

Many universities are waiving GRE requirements, but policies vary by university and program.

2. Is the GRE not required for Fall 2025?

Certain schools have allowed admission without the GMAT or GRE. Check directly with the target school. The need will change from school to school, program to program, and intake month.

3. Does MIT require the GRE for Fall 2024?

MIT does not require the GRE as a compulsion. It is an option for most degrees.

4. Is the GRE required for a master’s in the USA?

It depends on the master’s you want to do. Some would require it, some would not. If you want to know for sure, reach out to your target school. 

5. Is the GRE valid for five years?

Yes, the GRE is valid for five years.

6. Is the GRE mandatory for MS in the USA?

No. Post 2020, many schools have made it a recommendation instead of a hard requirement.

7. Is the GRE compulsory for MS in the USA?

No, it’s not compulsory for every program, as several universities offer waivers.

8. Can I do an MS in the USA without the GRE?

Yes, many universities allow admissions to MS programs without the GRE