Universities Waiving GRE/GMAT for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027: Complete List

Sharleen Kapoor

7 min read • Jun 16, 2026

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, earlier, 999 out of 1000 universities used to require either a GMAT or a GRE score as an admission requirement. In 2026 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.

What Are the GRE and GMAT?

Both exams were significantly revised in 2023. The table below reflects the current (2026) formats.

Aspect	GRE (Revised Sept 2023)	GMAT Focus Edition (Nov 2023)
Purpose	General graduate programs (MS, PhD, MBA)	Business and management programs (MBA)
Sections	Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing (1 essay)	Verbal, Quantitative, Data Insights
Duration		~2 hours 15 minutes (was ~3hr 30min)
Score Range	130-170 per section \| Total: 260-340
Fee		$275 (~₹22,800)
Score Validity	5 years	5 years
Format	Section-adaptive	Question-adaptive
Acceptance	Broad – most grad programs	Predominantly business schools

Does Waiving Off the GRE/GMAT for 2026 Admissions Make a Difference?

Many universities in the USA are waiving the GRE/GMAT requirement for 2026. But should you take advantage of the waiver, or is it better to prepare for and take the exams anyway?

The answer is both simple and layered. Opting for a waiver affects your admission prospects – but whether that effect is positive or negative depends on your profile.

Benefits of applying to universities waiving GRE/GMAT:

Save around $220-275 on test fees.
No need to spend thousands on expensive prep courses or tutoring.
No need to spend 3-6 months preparing for another exam.
One less thing to worry about during your application process.
Concentrate on making other parts of your application stronger.
Universities look at your actual achievements and experience rather than standardized test performance.
Apply when your profile is strongest, not when you finally get a target test score.

What universities look at instead of GRE/GMAT scores:

Academic Performance (GPA)
Co-curricular activities and leadership
Portfolios of work (for creative degrees)
Professional certifications (CFA, CPA, ACCA)
Work experience (2+ years is often preferred)
Letters of Recommendation
Statement of Purpose

Universities that waive these requirements often end up with more diverse student bodies – because they’re looking at real achievements rather than standardized test scores that might be influenced by access to test prep resources.

But here’s the catch: When you opt for a GRE/GMAT waiver, 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 test score to balance them out.

Also Read: GRE Exam 2026: Complete Guide – Format, Fees and Syllabus

List of Universities Waiving GRE/GMAT for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 (USA)

Important Note

Waiver policies change every admission cycle. The list below shows universities that have offered waivers in recent cycles. Always verify the current policy directly with each university’s admissions office before applying. Some programs may offer waivers for one intake but not another.

Universities below are ranked by QS World University Rankings 2026. Policies verified for recent admission cycles – confirm for your specific intake and program.

QS 2026	University Name	City, State	GRE/GMAT Waiver
1	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Cambridge, MA	Optional/waivable for most programs
4	Harvard University	Cambridge, MA	Optional for most graduate programs
6	Stanford University	Stanford, CA	Optional/waivable for many programs
10	California Institute of Technology	Pasadena, CA	Many programs waive requirement
11	University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia, PA	Waiver available for many programs
12	University of California, Berkeley	Berkeley, CA	Many programs do not require GRE
16	Cornell University	Ithaca, NY	Optional for many graduate programs
23	Yale University	New Haven, CT	Optional for many programs
32	Johns Hopkins University	Baltimore, MD	Waiver available, program-specific
34	Columbia University	New York City, NY	Optional for many graduate programs
42	University of California, Los Angeles	Los Angeles, CA	Many programs offer waiver
44	University of Michigan	Ann Arbor, MI	GRE optional for many programs
50	Northwestern University	Evanston, IL	Optional for many programs
61	Duke University	Durham, NC	Waiver available, program-specific
66	University of Texas at Austin	Austin, TX	Many programs GRE optional
69	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	Champaign, IL	Many programs offer waiver
72	University of California, San Diego	San Diego, CA	GRE optional for many programs
76	University of Washington	Seattle, WA	Many programs waive GRE
89	Purdue University	West Lafayette, IN	GRE optional for many programs
89	Pennsylvania State University	University Park, PA	Many programs waive requirement
114	Georgia Institute of Technology	Atlanta, GA	GRE waived for many MS programs
116	University of Wisconsin-Madison	Madison, WI	Many programs GRE optional
155	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Chapel Hill, NC	Waiver available
200	Arizona State University	Tempe, AZ	GRE optional for many programs
203	University of Minnesota	Minneapolis, MN	Waiver available, program-specific
208	Ohio State University	Columbus, OH	Many programs GRE optional
215	University of Florida	Gainesville, FL	GRE waived for many programs
218	University of Maryland	College Park, MD	GRE optional for many programs
297	University of Virginia	Charlottesville, VA	Waiver available
320	University of Colorado Boulder	Boulder, CO	GRE optional for many programs

This list includes universities from the QS top 350 that have offered waivers in recent cycles. There are hundreds more beyond this list. Contact each university directly to confirm current waiver policy for your specific program and intake.

Find universities that match your profile – GRE optional options included in 40,000+ programs. Explore on GradRight

Universities Waiving GRE/GMAT for Fall 2026 Admissions

The Fall intake is the most popular and competitive admission cycle for universities in the USA, starting in August/September.

Fall 2026 application windows: Most Fall 2026 application deadlines fall between November 2025 and February 2026. If you are applying for Fall 2026, confirm the current waiver policy now – some universities offer waivers for Spring but require GRE for Fall due to the larger applicant pool.

We strongly recommend reaching out to universities directly. Most have made this easy – chat with admissions officers online, email, or call their toll-free numbers. Confirming the requirement takes 5 minutes and saves you the risk of rejection.

Finding the Right University Beyond Waivers

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 criteria makes more sense: universities where you can be assured of a high ROI based on alumni success and salaries, apply with confidence knowing your profile matches the program’s requirements, and secure funding more easily based on the program’s reputation.

That’s where GradRight steps in. GradRight’s AI-powered algorithm compares 8M+ data points across 40,000+ programs in 4,000+ universities worldwide to shortlist the best matches for your profile, including GRE-optional programs.

Find your best-fit universities – GRE optional filters available. Explore on GradRight

Eligibility Criteria to Qualify for a GRE/GMAT Waiver

Many top-tier universities already list GRE/GMAT as ‘optional but recommended.’ But if 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 (CFA, CPA, PMP, etc.)
Patents or innovations in your area of work

You’ll need to write to the admissions team requesting a waiver. In most cases, they’ll agree. Some universities may request additional materials: a short essay explaining why you need a waiver, a detailed resume highlighting quantitative and analytical skills, or completing a university-specific assessment.

Remember: Just because you can get a waiver doesn’t always mean you should. If the program of your choice is competitive, consider spending time to get a high GRE score. It could be the difference between getting into your dream program or not.

Also Read: GRE Exam 2026: Complete Guide – Format, Fees and Syllabus

Also Read: GMAT vs GRE 2026: Which Should You Take?

Also Read: How to Prepare for GRE Exam 2026: Complete Strategy

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GRE Waived in the USA for 2026?

Many universities are waiving GRE requirements for 2026/27 admissions, but policies vary by university and program. Always verify directly with each university’s admissions office for your specific intake.

Is the GRE Not Required for Fall 2026?

Certain schools have allowed admission without the GRE for Fall 2026. The requirement varies from school to school and program to program. Contact your target school directly to confirm.

Does MIT Require the GRE for Fall 2026?

MIT does not require the GRE as a compulsion for most degrees. It is optional for most graduate programs. Verify at mit.edu/admissions for your specific program as policies can vary by department.

Is the GRE Required for a Master's in the USA?

It depends on the master’s program. Some require it, some do not. Post-2020, many schools made it a recommendation instead of a hard requirement. If you want to know for sure, reach out to your target school.

Is the GRE Valid for Five Years?

Yes, GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the test date.

Can I Do an MS in the USA Without the GRE?

Yes, many universities allow admissions to MS programs without the GRE. Our list above includes 30+ top QS-ranked universities that have offered waivers in recent cycles.

What Changed About the GRE in 2023?

In September 2023, ETS significantly revised the GRE. The test is now ~1 hour 58 minutes (was ~3 hours 45 minutes), has 1 Analytical Writing essay instead of 2, and has fewer questions overall. The score scale (130-170 per section, 260-340 total) remains the same. The fee is now $220.

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