The GRE is back.
Not everywhere — but at enough top programs that if you're applying to MS CS in 2026, assuming it's optional is a risk you probably shouldn't take.
What happened to GRE-optional?
During COVID, most graduate programs dropped the GRE requirement. By 2022, "GRE-optional" or "GRE-not-required" was the norm for MS CS programs across the board.
Then the data came in. Programs found that yield dropped, incoming cohort academic preparation became harder to predict, and international applicant pools — often the most competitive — skewed harder to evaluate without a standardized metric.
By 2024–2025, top programs started reversing course.
Programs that require or strongly recommend GRE in 2026
(Source: official program admissions pages — verify current policy before applying)
- MIT EECS: GRE required
- Stanford CS: GRE "not required" but "recommended" — effectively expected from competitive applicants
- Carnegie Mellon MCDS/MSML: GRE required for most programs
- UC Berkeley EECS: GRE required
- Cornell CS: GRE required
- UW Allen School: GRE required
- UIUC CS: GRE required
Programs that remain GRE-optional
- Columbia CS: GRE not required
- NYU CS: GRE not required
- Northeastern CS: GRE not required
- Boston University CS: GRE not required
What GRE score do you actually need?
For top-15 CS programs that require it, admitted student medians typically run:
- Quant: 167–170 (98th–99th percentile)
- Verbal: 155–163
- AW: 3.5–4.5
For programs ranked 15–50:
- Quant: 163–168
- Verbal: 150–158
These are medians of admitted students, not cutoffs. A 162Q doesn't automatically disqualify you from a top-10 program — but a 155Q probably means you need exceptional research experience to compensate.
The 1-year GRE timeline for 2026 applicants
If you're applying in fall 2026 (for entry in fall 2027), most deadlines fall December 2026 – January 2027.
- Start studying: Now (April–May)
- First attempt: August–September
- Second attempt (if needed): October–November
- Final scores to programs: November–December
Three months of focused prep is standard. Six months gives you buffer for a retake.
How does your GRE compare?
PreptoDone has GRE score data for admitted students at 182 graduate programs. See exactly how your score stacks up — and which programs are realistic, reachable, or a stretch based on your actual profile.
Where do you stand right now?
Get Your Free Graduate Competitiveness Score →
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Disclaimer: GRE requirement data is sourced from official program admissions pages and is provided for informational purposes only. Policies change frequently — always verify current requirements directly with each program. Estimated data is labeled as such.