Masters and scholarships abroad

Stage 5 · Lesson 6 of 7

The GRE, now optional in many programmes

English tests and the GRE

The measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning (maths and data) and analytical writing. As of 2026-09 lists it at 1 hour 58 minutes. Its is five years, meaning scores can be reported to universities for that long.

Many computer science masters and programmes, especially in the United States, have made the GRE optional or stopped considering it. Some still require or recommend it, and some scholarships or funding decisions use it. Check each programme's current page rather than old forum posts.

Take it only if your list needs it, or if a strong quantitative score would clearly help a weaker academic record.

Common trapspending months and a sizeable fee on the GRE when none of your programmes consider it.

A question to check yourself, an AI practice session and 2 cheat sheet entries come when you add the roadmap to your account. Add it

Resources for this stage

Start with· follow one of these

  • PlatformFree
    IELTS

    IELTS (British Council, IDP, Cambridge University Press and Assessment)

    Official test information and free practice materials for IELTS Academic

  • PlatformFree
    TOEFL iBT

    ETS

    Official information on the new TOEFL iBT format and free practice

Practise

Keep handy

  • Official format, scoring and where PTE Academic is accepted

  • Official GRE format, fees, score validity and free practice tests

Mark this stage as not done?