Which Grad School Test Do You Need? Complete 2024 Guide

A lot of people might say that deciding to go to grad school is the easy part. In a way, it’s true — the hard part comes later on when you have to start preparing for and applying to schools. Then, you’d actually have to do the studying, researching, and working, which is a whole different ball game altogether.

If you’ve just freshly decided to go into graduate studies, chances are you might find the application processes of each university quite daunting. There’s a lot that goes into a grad school application, and one of those things is taking a grad school test. Many schools have standardized test requirements, meaning you’ll have to take certain graduate school exams and send the results in with your application.

We’ve already discussed general grad school requirements. But what test must you take in order to get into most graduate colleges?

Below, we put together the ultimate 2024 guide to help you figure out which grad school entrance exam you need to take in your particular situation. Let’s get right to it!

Grad School Test Guide: Tests You Might Need to Take

When it comes to grad school admission, there are a few standardized tests you might need to take and submit with your application. It’s not likely that you’ll need more than one, but different grad schools require different standardized tests for their specific admissions processes.

Note that using a resource like Magoosh may also be worth a shot. Many students find this resource helpful in test prep. Most importantly they guarantee improvement in your GMAT, LSAT, or other standardized test scores.

The list below will explain the most common graduate entrance exams, what they’re for, and who needs to take them.

GRE

Key Information

• Duration: Roughly 3 hours and 45 minutes; including a ten-minute break in the middle
• Who requires this test?: Institutions accepting standardized exams for admission
• Cost: $220 in most of the world, more information available here
• Purpose: For institutions to assess an applicant’s suitability for admission into their programs

The GRE (Graduate Record Exam) is the most common general knowledge test for masters program admission that universities require from grad school applicants. Results from this exam are required or at least recommended by thousands of educational institutes worldwide. You may also need your GRE results to qualify for certain kinds of financial aid.

The GRE tests your quantitative and verbal reasoning skills, as well as your critical thinking and your analytical writing abilities. The exam contains the three sections listed below.

• Verbal Reasoning will test your level of reading comprehension and text completion. It also tests your sentence equivalence skills through sample sentences and written passages.
• Quantitative Reasoning will test how well you can understand or analyze quantitative information. This section also tests your ability to solve problems using mathematical models and how well you can apply various math concepts like arithmetic, geometry, and algebra. It will also look at your data analysis capabilities.
• Analytical Writing mainly looks at your written English capabilities. This section will require short responses wherein you need to articulate your ideas and build your evidence-based arguments.

As a general test, GREs are computer-based and are very widely available. There are over a thousand test centers in more than 160 countries, so it’ll be easy to book in to take the test no matter where you are. The exam will take you 3 hours and 45 minutes to finish at the testing center. If you’re concerned about scheduling, there’s no cause for concern — you can book your test when you’re available since they are conducted several times a month.

It’s usually a good idea to start studying a couple of months before your scheduled exam since this will give you enough time to prepare. You might even want to do a few practice exams to ensure you are as prepared as can be.

It’s best to schedule your GRE three or four months before your application deadline.

Sending the scores takes roughly fifteen days, but giving yourself this time allowance makes it possible to retake the exam if you please.

Taking the general test a second time might help you improve your scores since you’ll most likely be more comfortable during your second go. You can choose to send the improved results to your prospective universities, which might improve your chances of admission.

Related: What is on the GRE? GRE preparation tips to ace your GRE exam

GRE Subject Tests

Key Information

• Duration: 2 hours and 50 minutes
• Who requires this test?: On rare occasions, some institutions will ask applicants to submit GRE subject test scores
• Cost: The worldwide fee is $150; more information available here
• Purpose: To measure and demonstrate competency in specific subjects or fields of study

While the GRE tests general knowledge, the paper-based GRE subject tests will measure your knowledge of specific fields of study. The exams are offered for the subjects below:

• Psychology
• Physics
• Math
• English Literature
• Chemistry
• Biology

Unlike the GRE general exam, subject tests aren’t always required. There are some master’s programs that will ask you to take them to apply, while others will only recommend you take them to supplement your application. Read admissions requirements carefully to find out whether you need to take a subject test. If it’s unclear whether you need GRE subject masters degree exams, you can reach out to the programs or schools to ask them.

You can sit for subject tests with other test takers throughout the year at paper-based centers, but only on specific dates. Make sure you schedule your test early to allow you ample time to prepare and retake the exam if you feel like doing so.

GMAT

Key Information

• Duration: 3 hours and 7 minutes with optional breaks (the exam will take 4 hours with these breaks)
• Who requires this test?: Schools offering MBAs
• Cost: $275 at a test center or $300 online for examinees in the United States; more information available here
• Purpose: To assist an applicant’s suitability for admission into an MBA program or to a business school

The standard GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is the exam you’ll need to take if you’re applying to a business school. Most business schools will require GMAT results when you apply for an MBA. More than 2,100 educational institutions accept GMAT results, making it another widely available exam that covers verbal and quantitative topics, along with a few other sections.

The GMAT is computer-based and will take you three and a half hours to finish. You’ll have to complete the three sections (multiple choice) and the writing section below:

• The quantitative multiple-choice section will test your understanding of and your skills in arithmetic, geometry, and algebra.
• The integrated reasoning multiple-choice section will measure how well you can infer information when given data in charts, tables, and graphs.
• The verbal multiple-choice section has you read a written passage and tests your logic skills, grammar, and ability to answer questions.
• The 30-minute analytical writing assessment will have you write an essay argument about a general interest or a business-related topic.

There’s no real need to worry about being able to fit the GMAT into your schedule. You can take the GMAT any day you’d like, except for holidays. There are more than 600 test centers around the world where you can sit with test takers while working on your exam.

When scheduling your exam, don’t forget to factor in the two to three months of prep time you’ll need for studying. You might also want to schedule the GMAT 3-4 months before your applications are due, so you can retake the exam if you wish.

LSAT

Key Information

• Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes (exam only, no breaks counted)
• Who requires this test?: Law schools in the United States and in Canada (and on occasion, some other law schools around the world)
• Cost: The exam itself will cost examinees $215. For more information about other costs, visit this page
• Purpose: To measure and demonstrate applicants’ skills and knowledge and allow institutions to assess their suitability for admission into law school

Most law schools will require you to take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test) to qualify for admission. As the only graduate admissions test accepted by law schools accredited by the American Bar Association, you might want to take the LSAT if you’re looking to study law in the US (and even in some other countries as well).

The LSAT is a digital exam that measures a law school applicant’s logical and analytical reasoning skills. It also assesses reading comprehension. When you take the LSAT, you can expect five multiple-choice sections that take 35 minutes each to complete. You can also expect a writing exercise.

• Reading comprehension tests how well you can read and understand long, complex materials.
• Analytical reasoning assesses your ability to analyze structures of relationships, grasp them, and draw conclusions from them.
• Logical reasoning uses two sections to test how well you can analyze, evaluate, and complete an argument.
• You’ll encounter an unscored section used to test questions that might be included in future LSATs.
• The 35-minute writing exercise used to be required. As of 2019, it is no longer included in the test. If you want to accomplish this section, you’ll need to register for it separately and complete it on your own (through your home computer or other similar devices).

LSATs are conducted on select dates multiple times a year, so you can choose whichever date is most convenient for you. Remember that in most cases, law schools require you to take your LSAT by December if you want to apply for admission by fall of the next year.

Unlike other graduate school tests, retaking the LSAT is usually discouraged since retakers often find their scores barely improving. Some even find that their scores have worsened. The best way to get a good result on your LSAT is by preparing for it ahead of time.

The LSAC (Law School Admission Council) has provided this resource to help you prepare for the exam. There are also resources from outside experts. Magoosh, for example, offers topical insight, practice tests, and a guaranteed improvement in your LSAT score.

MCAT

Key Information

• Duration: 7 hours and 30 minutes
• Who requires this test?: All medical schools and programs where students can earn their M.D.
• Cost: $330; more information here
• Purpose: To test and demonstrate an applicant’s knowledge and skill and determine their suitability for medical school

Another standard test to get into grad school, or med school specifically, is the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). This test assesses various skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. It also tests your knowledge and understanding of the various concepts of behavioral, natural, and social science. The MCAT is required to apply to practically all the medical schools in the US.

The MCAT will take you 7.5 hours to complete, making it the longest test on this list. You’ll have to complete the four sections (multiple-choice) below:

• Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems tests your understanding of inorganic and organic chemistry, biochemistry, and biology concepts.

• Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems measures your knowledge of introductory-level physics, biology, biochemistry, general chemistry, and organic chemistry.

• Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior tests your introductory-level knowledge of psychology and sociology, as well as biology.

• Critical Analysis and Reasoning assesses your reading comprehension of various passages from the social sciences and humanities.

If your med school application is due by December, you’ll probably want to take the MCAT by September. However, MCAT test dates fill out quickly, so the earlier you can book it, the better. Test dates are available multiple times a month.

Like the LSAT, retaking the MCAT is not recommended. The best way to get a great score is by preparing for your test early and putting in as much as three to six months of study time. Retaking the MCAT is only recommended if your score is very low or doesn’t meet the minimum requirement.

Other Standardized Tests You Might Need to Take

Beyond the standardized grad school admissions tests we’ve listed above, you may be asked to take other grad and post-grad tests to get in. Indeed, you may be asked to take another exam for master’s degree admission — or even more.

However, these exams are more for foreign students, as most graduate schools will want to make sure that international students can cope in a primarily English learning environment.

So, what test for grad school would you need if you’re an international student looking to complete a master’s or doctorate degree in the United States?

TOEFL

Key Information

• Duration: 4 hours, including a mandatory 10-minute break in the middle
• Who requires this test?: Institutions whose main teaching language is English; some governments who require proof of English proficiency from visa applicants
• Cost: $180-$325 (USD) depending on which country you are from
• Purpose: To test English fluency and proficiency

The TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is one of the standard tests that colleges and universities require from foreign students who want to enroll in the United States. It’s often required by institutions that offer their degree programs in English. Beyond being a test for grad school admission, the TOEFL is also commonly accepted as proof of fluency and proficiency in the English language when foreigners apply for a visa.

TOEFL takes about four hours to finish. It has four sections, and a ten-minute break is required halfway through. Its cost may vary, but it typically hovers from $180-$325 (USD), depending on which country you are taking it from. Results are valid for two years, so you can take your exam now and feel confident that you won’t need to retake for a while unless you are unhappy with your results.

The four sections of the TOEFL are:

• A reading section containing 36 to 56 questions, each of them based on three to four passages taken from some academic tests. This section lasts from 60-80 minutes.
• A listening section with 34 to 51 questions, each of them based on recordings of conversations, classroom discussions, lectures, and more. This section takes 60-90 minutes.
• A speaking section involving six tasks that requires test takers to talk about familiar topics. These tasks will also include some of the material from the two previous sections. 20 minutes are allotted for the speaking section.
• A writing section that requires examinees to write two essays. One essay will be about topics that were introduced during the reading/listening sections. The second essay will require test takers to express an opinion and then support it. You are allowed 50 minutes for this section.

IELTS

Key Information

• Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes, then another 15 minutes for the speaking section
• Who requires this test?: Institutions whose main teaching language is English; some governments who require proof of English proficiency from visa applicants
• Cost: $140-$310 (USD) depending on which country you are from
• Purpose: To test English fluency and proficiency

Another test to get into a masters program, at least for foreign students, is the IELTS. The IELTS, or the International English Language Testing System, is another standard exam required by many educational institutions whose primary teaching language is English. Like the TOEFL, this grad school exam is also accepted as proof of English fluency and proficiency by governments who require it from visa applicants.

Unlike the TOEFL, the IELTS is much faster to complete. This exam takes only two and a half hours, plus another fifteen minutes for the speaking section. The IELTS has four sections, listed below:

• A listening section with 40 questions based on four audio recordings of monologues and conversations. The recordings feature various accents. The listening section takes about thirty minutes to complete.
• A reading section that has 40 questions centering on three text passages (taken from various sources) which may sometimes include illustrations or graphs. Test takers are allotted one hour to complete this section.
• A writing section involving two tasks: a short essay (formal) and a writing test requiring you to explain or describe a chart, table, or diagram. You will have one hour to complete the writing assessment.
• A speaking section that is essentially an interview where you must answer questions about yourself and a few general topics. You’ll also need to speak about a topic given to you on a card, then participate in a discussion. The speaking assessment may be taken up to a week before or after the three sections above.

Preparing for Your Graduate School Test

If you’ve already figured out which tests you’ll need to take for your grad school applications, the next step is to register for them. When you register, you can choose a date to take your exam. Plan ahead and allow yourself enough time to prepare for the test to give yourself the best chance at success. You’ll need a minimum test score to qualify, but better scores may mean a better chance at admission.

You can prepare for your exam on your own. However, there are many courses and review classes you can attend if you’d prefer to go that route.

Do You Really Need To Take Graduate Exams?

It wasn’t too long ago that test scores were a standard requirement for grad school admission.

However, as times have changed, universities have begun to adjust. Many schools have now put less emphasis on standardized test scores when considering an applicant for admission. This lessened emphasis is particularly true of the Graduate Record Examination, whether the test is for general or subject knowledge.

Nowadays, many a graduate program might offer applicants exam waivers as long as they meet qualifying conditions.

For example, applicants that can show that they’ve met the minimum undergraduate GPA requirement often get an exam waiver. Some schools might even be flexible enough to accept relevant past work experience in place of GRE scores.

It’s a good idea to ask the schools and programs you’re applying for whether the test scores are required or if you can get an exam waiver somehow.

Unfortunately, if you’re looking to go into law school or med school, you’ll most likely still need the LSAT or MCAT. The same applies to business school, where you’ll need to take the GMAT before admission.

Related: How to Get Into Grad School with a Low GPA: Complete Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the GRE cost?

The GRE is an examination administered by ETS. In most of the world, taking the exam will cost you about $220. In India, it will run you about $228, and in China, you’ll pay $231.30. There are other fees to consider, such as those for rescheduling and changing your testing center. If you’d like to learn more, check out the ETS website.

How many times can you take the GRE?

If you feel your GRE results were inadequate, you can retake yours up to five times within a period of twelve months. You must wait three weeks (or twenty-one days) between each retake. Please be aware that you must pay the exam fee for every retake unless you have a waiver.

Is GRE harder or GMAT?

The answer to this question depends on where your strengths lie. Experts and past test takers have stated that the GMAT’s quantitative section is more challenging than that of the GRE’s. However, it’s possible you’ll find the GMAT much easier if you are quite strong when it comes to logic problems. If you do well in geometry, you may do well on the GRE, which has far more geometry questions.

Conclusion

We hope that the guide above has helped you answer the question, “what test do I need to take for grad school?” If you’re still unsure, the best way to find out for sure is by asking your prospective school.

Taking a grad school test might feel daunting, but with adequate preparation, you might just be able to get a great score. However, when it comes to taking your exams, you should always remember to schedule them several months in advance. Also, allow yourself an adequate time allowance for a retake (for GRE general and subject tests)!

If you’re wondering what else you need to prepare for when you’re applying for grad school and when you need to do it, check out our article on when to apply for grad school.