GRE is the acronym for Graduate Record Examination. It is a standardized test required to gain admission to postgraduate programmes in the United States and Canada including a few other countries. The GRE is owned by the Educational Testing Service. Additionally, it was established in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
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GRE Test and Structure
The General Test seeks to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills. It is expected that each candidate should have developed these skills as they are crucial to one’s success in today’s demanding programs.
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Verbal Reasoning Measure
The GRE verbal reasoning section seeks to measure the candidate’s ability to:
- Understand the meanings of words, sentences and entire texts. Also, understand the relationships among words and concepts.
- Analyze and draw conclusions from discourse, reason from the given incomplete data, identify the writer’s assumptions and/or perspective; and understand multiple levels of meaning such as literal, figurative and the author’s intent.
- Select important points, distinguish major points from minor points or relevant points, summarize text and understand the structure of a given text.
Quantitative reasoning measure
The GRE quantitative reasoning section seeks to measure the candidate’s ability to:
- Solve problems using mathematical principles and models
- Understand quantitative information
- Interpret and analyze quantitative information
- Apply basic maths skills and concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis.
Additionally, this section also includes an on-screen calculator.
Analytical Writing Measure
The GRE analytical writing and critical thinking section seek to measure the candidate’s ability to:
- articulate difficult ideas clearly and effectively
- support ideas with relevant and reasonable reasons and examples
- examine claims and accompanying evidence
- sustain a well-focused, coherent discussion
- control the elements of standard written English
GRE Test Structure
| Section | Number of Questions | Time |
| Analytical writing (1 section, 2 separately timed tasks) | One “analyze an issue” taskOne “analyze an argument” task | 30 mins per task |
| Verbal reasoning (2 sections) | 20 questions per section | 30 mins per section |
| Quantitative reasoning (2 sections) | 20 questions per section | 35 mins per section |
| Unscored or research section | Varies | Varies |
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Top Universities Offering STEM Masters Courses Without GRE
Some of the top universities in the U.S. that offer STEM master’s courses without the GRE requirement include
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks as part of the top universities in the world according to the QS World ranking. Specifically, it ranks at number one. It is a private land-grant research university and has played a huge role in the development of technology and science in this modern era. Additionally, it was established in 1861 and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Basic admission requirement
Kindly note that this is not a generally acceptable requirement for all courses and is subject to changes from the university.
| Programs | GPA Requirement | TOEFL iBT score | Additional requirement |
| MS in Computational Science and Engineering | 3.5 (90%) | 100 | SOP, 3 LOR, Resume |
| MS in Chemical Engineering | 3.8 (93%) | 90 | SOP, 3 LOR |
| MS in Business Analytics | 3.5 (90%) | 90 | SOP, 3 LOR |
| MS in Management Studies | 3.8 (93%) | 3.8 (93%) | SOP, 3 LOR, Essays, Resume |
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2. Boston University
Boston University is equally a private research university founded in 1839 by a group of Methodists in Newbury, Vermont. It ranks at number 93 according to the QS world ranking and offers masters of science in STEM courses like Electrical & Computer Engineering, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and so on.
Basic admission requirement
Kindly note that this is not a generally acceptable requirement for all courses and is subject to changes from the university.
| Programs | GPA Requirement | TOEFL iBT score | Additional requirement |
| MS in Computer Engineering | 3.0 (85%) | 84 | SOP, 2 LOR, Resume |
| MS in Artificial Intelligence | 3.0 (85%) | 84 | SOP, 2 LOR, Resume |
| MS in Mechanical Engineering | 3.0 (85%) | 84 | SOP, 2 LOR, Resume |
| MS in Business Analytics | 3.0 (85%) | 84 | SOP, 2 LOR, Resume |
Also read: Top 10 Easiest STEM Courses To Study In The US
3. University of North Texas
The University of North Texas was founded in 1890 and its main campus is located in Denton, Texas. It currently offers about 112 bachelor’s degrees, 94 master’s degrees and 38 doctoral degree programs. It is equally ranked as part of the best universities in the world according to the QS world ranking. Since its inception, it has grown to be part of the best universities in the country. It enrolled 44,532 students in the 2022 fall semester. Some of the courses it offers include data science, artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering and so on.
Basic admission requirement
Kindly note that this is not a generally acceptable requirement for all courses and is subject to changes from the university.
| Programs | GPA Requirement | TOEFL iBT score | Additional requirement |
| MS in Computer Science & Engineering | 3.0 (85%) | 80 | SOP or LOR may be required |
| MS in Data Science | 3.2 (87%) | 80 | 2 LOR, Resume, Professional Experience or training |
| MS in Electrical Engineering | 3.0 (85%) | 79 | SOP or LOR may be required |
| MS in Accounting | 3.0 (85%) | 79 | Essay (600-700 words), 3 LOR, Resume |
4. Purdue University
Purdue University was founded in 1869 and it is a public land-grant research university in West Lafayette, Indiana. It is a top-notch research university that embraces innovation. It ranks at number 99 according to the QS world ranking and is popularly known for its engineering programme.
Basic admission requirement
Kindly note that this is not a generally acceptable requirement for all courses and is subject to changes from the university.
| Programs | GPA Requirement | TOEFL iBT score | Additional requirement |
| MS in Computational Science & Engineering | 3.25 (88%) | 80 | SOP, 2 LOR, Resume, Diversity Essay (500 words) |
| MS in Environmental Health Sciences | 3.3 (88%) | 80 | SOP, 3 LOR, Resume |
5. Northeastern University
Northeastern University is a private research university that was established in 1898. It is one of the largest universities in Massachusetts by enrollment. It is also part of the universities in the US that offers master’s degree without GRE test scores. It is equally ranked as part of the top universities in the world according to the QS world ranking.
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Basic admission requirement
Kindly note that this is not a generally acceptable requirement for all courses and is subject to changes from the university.
| Programs | GPA Requirement | TOEFL iBT score | Additional requirement |
| MS in Information Systems | 3.0 (85%) | 95 | 2 LOR, SOP, Resume |
| MS in Civil and Environmental Engineering | 3.5 (90%) | 100 | 2 LOR, SOP, Resume |
| MS in Electrical Engineering | 3.5 (90%) | 100 | 2 LOR, SOP, Resume |
| MS in Chemical and Biological Engineering | 3.0 (85%) | 90 | 2 LOR, SOP, Resume |
Other Universities offering MS in the USA without GRE
Other universities that do not necessarily require a GRE test for STEM courses in the US before enrollment include:
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- California State University
- University of Bridgeport
- University of Cincinnati
- San Jose State University
- Oklahoma City University
- George Mason University
- New Mexico State University
- James Madison University
- Concordia University
- University of Pittsburgh
- Washington State University
- Wichita State University
- Florida International University
Alternative to GRE Test
Rather than take a GRE test, students can alternatively apply for a GRE waiver. A GRE waiver is an exemption which provides students with the opportunity to bypass the requirement of submitting a GRE test score. The waiver provides an alternative route for students to demonstrate their academic potential. It is granted due to various factors like exceptional academic achievements, research or publications experience, advanced degrees and so on. The requirement for obtaining a GRE waiver differs according to the university’s condition. It is important to check for the requirement of your chosen university so that you can know what is expected.
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Requirement for a GRE Waiver
Below are the requirements you need to meet before applying for a GRE waiver. It is also important to note that this differs according to the university’s requirements.
- A GPA of 3.0 or higher (85%+)
- Additional graduate degree
- Relevant work experience or internship
- Updated Resume
- Letter of Recommendation
- Statement of Purpose
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