GMAT/GRE for Studying Abroad: Is It Still Required in 2025?

In the ever-evolving world of international education, one question continues to surface among aspiring graduate students: Do I still need to take the GMAT or GRE to study abroad in 2025? Once considered mandatory, standardized tests like the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) and GRE (Graduate Record Examination) are no longer a universal requirement. This means that many universities are now adopting test-optional policies / test-flexible policies (for perspective, “test-flexible” often means that schools accept alternatives to GRE / GMAT; these alternatives could be CFA, CPA or other evidence of quantitative academic rigor in undergrad). While this shift has sparked a relief (reducing the pressure on applicants/students to take yet another examination), it has also led to some confusion amongst the student fraternity. They wonder whether it is a smart choice to skip the test (if it is optional) or would doing so hurt their chances.

Before we delve into this debate any further, let us first understand when and why universities moved towards test-optional policies.

Why this shift happened in the first place

During COVID-19, test centers had to be shut down. Internet-based alternatives were also not accessible to all, especially to students from underprivileged backgrounds or those in remote locations (mainly due to a persistent digital divide and limited access to reliable internet connectivity in remote areas). Moreover, travel restrictions had kicked in, making it difficult for many students to take these exams. Digital divide also meant that some students did not have adequate access to test prep resources. Even well-qualified applicants struggled with canceled test dates and concerns about health & safety. Universities realized that continuing to insist on these tests as mandatory was not practical under these circumstances, and they were inadvertently filtering out qualified candidates simply due to the ongoing situation.

Universities, including top schools like Stanford, Harvard, Kellogg, Columbia and the like, adopted test-optional / test-flexible policies. They didn’t want these testing barriers to stand in the way of strong candidates. However, in the absence of standardized test scores, some schools expected candidates to submit alternative credentials (e.g., CFA Level 1, CPA, etc.) or strong academic records to validate their quantitative aptitude and academic readiness to handle graduate-level coursework.

At the time universities began waiving standardized test requirements, one critical question that loomed large over universities was Going test Optional – Does it Lower Quality of Admitted Students?

The answer, as it turned out, was: Not necessarily.

And that was the beginning of when universities started re-evaluating standardized testing as a pre-requisite for admissions. After going test-optional, many top universities kept a close eye on how their newly admitted students performed. The results were quite reassuring. Test-optional students, on an average, performed just as well in the classroom, earned comparable GPAs, and secured competitive internships/job offers, like their predecessors who had taken/submitted standardized test scores in the years gone by. In fact, several studies also revealed that metrics like undergraduate GPA, coursework difficulty, and relevant work experience often proved to be more reliable indicators of graduate school success than standardized test scores alone. This gave many universities the confidence to keep these policies in place, even beyond the pandemic.

So, does that diminish the value of GRE / GMAT?

Not really. Just because these tests aren’t mandatory everywhere doesn’t mean they’ve lost their value. In fact, for many students, a good GRE or GMAT score can still be a great way to stand out – more on that as you read below.

1. We know that universities evaluate students from different academic systems from across the world. GPAs vary by country and college. Admissions officers are unfamiliar with the grading system in a candidate’s institution. For eg, a 65% score in undergrad English Literature and the same percentage in undergrad Computer Science from the same Indian university (different departments) might be viewed differently. It is only through a standardized test that we can get a common benchmark to assess candidates’ academic readiness. Students coming from non-quantitative academic backgrounds (like Literature, History, Sociology etc), and applying for a program like MBA need to demonstrate their readiness for rigorous MBA coursework that is quant-heavy. Even STEM applicants (although they already possess strong quant backgrounds) use the GRE to show they’re ready for tough graduate level work, and to prove their verbal and critical thinking skills.

2. Standardized tests strengthen an otherwise average profile. If you have a relatively lower GPA, limited work experience, or have studied in a college that doesn’t have global visibility, a solid GRE/GMAT score can help offset doubts about your intellectual capabilities, and make your application more competitive.

3. Standardized test scores are required for most assistantships, merit-based scholarships, and fellowships, especially those being awarded by external funding bodies. While competing with fellow-applicants from across the globe, and when funds are limited, a strong GRE or GMAT score will certainly set you apart. Even test-optional schools may use these scores internally to determine merit-based scholarships. So, this becomes a very solid reason to consider taking GRE / GMAT.

So, “test optional” doesn’t mean “test is irrelevant”. Rather than asking “Do I need to take the GMAT or GRE?”, a smarter question to ask in 2025 might be, “Would taking the test strengthen my application in the context of my personal profile and target schools?”

How to Decide Whether (or Not) to Take GRE / GMAT

This depends on your individual profile and goals. Here’s a quick guide to help you figure out if taking the test will boost your chances or if you can skip it confidently. Needless to say, you will have to take one of the tests if it is a mandatory requirement for your target program / University. Other situations when you should take the GMAT/GRE are as follows: –

1. You’re applying to competitive or top-ranked programs. Even if the test is optional in these universities, it is better to take it because here, you would be competing with the crème de la crème from across the world. The applicant pool will have great credentials and great profiles (just like you), so you need something that differentiates you from the rest.

2. You’re aiming for merit-based scholarships or fellowships. The reason has been mentioned in one of the points above, as a very solid reason to take the test.

3. Your GPA or academic background needs strengthening.

4. You’re applying for quant-heavy or STEM-based programs, including MBA.

5. Some organizations, especially Consulting firms and those in Finance ask for GMAT scores because they see it as a reliable indicator of analytical skills, problem-solving ability, and overall business readiness.

6. Even if you have strong academics, solid work experience, and compelling essays, we’d advise you to take the test for the same reason as mentioned above – to differentiate yourself from others. Even some schools that are test-optional often say, “If you believe your score reflects your academic potential, feel free to submit it”. So, obviously, there’s a reason why they say so.

7. If your score is strong (e.g., 320+ GRE, 700+ GMAT classic version; equivalent to approximately 645 in GMAT Focus edition), submit it, even if your university is test-optional.

8. Only if your score is average or below average, and the school allows it, leave it out and lean on your other strengths.

Now that you know whether or not the test would add value to your profile, you would naturally want to know what the rule is in the university/country that you plan applying to. Although specific universities build their own admission policies, let’s first talk about some broad country-level trends.

1. United States of America: Most US universities have adopted test-optional policies, especially for non-STEM graduate programs. However, top-tier MBA or STEM programs, like Wharton, Columbia Business School, Kellogg may still recommend (or require) GRE/GMAT. Stanford is test-optional, but highly recommended for students from non-quant backgrounds. For most top STEM programs, although GRE is optional, it is still highly valued, especially for international applicants.

2. Canada: More or less, same as above. Top B-schools like Rotman, Ivey and Sauder require the test scores. For most course-based (non-thesis) Master’s programs, GRE/GMAT is optional or not required, unless specifically asked due to program competitiveness or due to concerns about the applicant’s academic background.

3. United Kingdom: GRE/GMAT is usually not required in UK Universities unless specified by the department (especially in Business Schools like LBS, Oxford (Said Business School), Cambridge (Judge Business School). Most others place greater emphasis on undergraduate academic performance, relevant work experience (for MBAs), and strong personal statements. For non-MBA programs, especially in arts, humanities, and sciences, GRE/GMAT is mostly not required.

4. Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Spain, France, etc.): GRE/GMAT is typically not required, especially for non-MBA programs. However, no harm in sharing if you have a good score just to indicate your academic readiness as an international student. Some elite Business programs like HEC Paris, INSEAD, IE Business School etc. require it.

5. Australia: More or less, as above. A few top B-Schools, like Melbourne Business School, Monash Business School, University of Sydney, are amongst the few that may ask for GMAT scores.

6. Singapore, Hong Kong, etc: GMAT is required for most top MBA programs like NTU, NUS, HKU Business School, CUHK Business School; GRE may be accepted for others. For non-MBA programs, strong academic records and English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL) usually suffice.

7. India: For Indian universities offering global MBA/MIM programs (like ISB, IIMs), GMAT/GRE is still required. IIMs 2-year program (which is for fresh graduates or early stage professionals) accepts only and only CAT (not GRE or GMAT). Here, GMAT is accepted only for international applicant. Their 01-year programs (for experienced professionals) accept only GRE / GMAT (not CAT). Here is a guide for studying abroad after 12th for Indian students.