2021 Standardized Testing Update

Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on GRE testing, the majority of Graduate Center programs are suspending their GRE requirements for 2021 applications (both Fall 2021 and, where applicable, Spring 2021 applications).

The following programs will continue with their regular GRE requirements:

  • Audiology
  • Biochemistry (optional)
  • Business
  • Computer Science
  • Economics
  • Mathematics (General GRE remains required; however, the Subject Test requirement is suspended)
  • Physics (optional)

All other programs who usually require GRE scores will be suspending them. Each program’s admissions committee may request additional writing samples or interviews as an alternative means of assessing your qualifications. If you have already taken the exam, you may upload your scores as usual.

TOEFL and IELTS requirements are not suspended.

Please check our deadline and requirements chart for a complete list of program requirements. Contact us in the Office of Admissions with any questions you have about testing, or anything else as you consider your graduate school options.

Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International

This entry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.

By Gerry Martini | July 6, 2020 | Uncategorized | 120 Comments |

120 thoughts on “2021 Standardized Testing Update”

        1. Gerry Martini Post author

          The Graduate Center does not have any online Ph.D. programs and, to my knowledge, has no plans to implement any. If we are online in the Fall it will only be due to COVID and we will transition back to in-person classes as soon as we are able.

          Reply ↓
      3. Munachimso Okoroafor

        Greetings,will GRE waived for fall 2021 applicants for data science(M.S),and when is the best time to start the application for an international students, I need guidelines

        Reply ↓
      4. Esther

        Hello, I need guidance on how to apply for Ph.D. in educational psychology or Psychology.
        I want to know your requirements, most especially if there’s an application fee waiver and if GRE is still suspended

        Reply ↓
        1. Gerry Martini Post author

          Hello Esther,

          The GRE requirement has been suspended for both Educational Psychology and Psychology for Fall 2022 applicants. You can see more about our deadlines and requirements here: https://admissions.commons.gc.cuny.edu/program-application-deadlines-and-requirements/

          Application fee waivers are available for McNair scholars and U.S. military veterans.

          If you have further questions please contact us at: admissions@gc.cuny.edu

          Thank you.
          -Gerry, Office of Admissions

          Reply ↓
  3. Carla Gutierrez

    Hello! Does this mean that the GRE requirement for the forensic psychology masters program for Spring 2021 has been canceled? Will the program be looking at my psychology GPA instead? Thank you!!!

    Reply ↓
          1. Gerry Martini Post author

            I’m sorry, but I cannot reply on behalf of John Jay as they are a different school. I would encourage you to contact them directly.

  4. Tanya Prochet

    I’m considering a doctorate in either sociology or anthropology. Is there someone whom I can talk to about admission and credit auditing? I already have an MA from Queens College and would like to apply my graduate credits towards the doctorate requirements., if possible.

    Reply ↓
      1. Tanya Prochet

        Hi. I sent an email to admissions on 7/13 as advised and haven’t received a response yet. What is the estimated response time, given the coronavirus crisis?

        Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      If the program you are interested in has suspended the GRE that would be for any applicant, whether domestic or international. The GRE/IELTS requirement has not been suspended though.

      Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      The Graduate Center does not have an MA in SLP, so you would need to contact the school that you are applying to for clarification. We do have a Ph.D. program in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, and they are suspending the GRE.

      Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      I’m sorry, but I cannot speak for the programs at other schools; you would need to contact each school that has a master’s program that you are interested in for more info. We have a Ph.D. program in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences but no master’s program.

      Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      The Graduate Center does not have an MA in SLP, so you would need to contact the school that you are applying to for clarification. We do have a Ph.D. program in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, and they are suspending the GRE.

      Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      The Graduate Center does not have an MA in SLP, so you would need to contact the school that you are applying to for clarification. We do have a Ph.D. program in Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, and they are suspending the GRE.

      Reply ↓
  11. Jerry Gbarlea

    Hi Gerry; do i have complete my undergraduate requirements(courses) to a full graduation before beginning my application for GRE in Cognitive Neuroscience ?

    Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      You can apply to a graduate program as long as you will be finishing the undergraduate program before graduate school would start. So (for example) if you are graduating with a bachelor’s in Spring 2021 you could apply now to Fall 2021 for a master’s; that’s because even though you are not done with undergrad now, you would be done with it before starting your graduate degree.

      Reply ↓
      1. Jerry Gbarlea

        Thanks Gerry; based on this clarity of yours and in consideration of when i am expected to graduate which is Fall 2021, i may wait another semester. Is that a good idea, Gerry?

        Reply ↓
  12. Alexandra L

    Hi! Just to clarify- the suspension of the GRE requirement is for those submitting their applications in Fall 2021 for a Spring/Fall 2022 start? Or is it for students who are applying now and want to start in Fall 2021?
    Thanks!

    Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      It is for applying to a 2021 semester. It is too early to say what the next year of COVID-19 will look like (which is what will matter for determining policy for those applying to a 2022 semester).

      Reply ↓
  13. Monira Hasan

    Hi. I was considering applying to the Psychology Master’s Program at Hunter College for Fall 2021, and for that I would need to take the GRE before the end of this year as originally planned. Is the deadline for the application pushed back?

    Reply ↓
  14. Romario

    Hello,

    I’m looking to apply for the Industrial Organizational Psychology PhD. So the GRE is currently not a requirement?

    Reply ↓
  16. Mehreen Mahbub

    Hi, actually, I am planning for applying for CUNY Biochem Ph.D. 2021 and I was wondering if GRE is required for me. I saw in one website GRE is required while in this it shows optional. Can you elaborate if its optional or required please? Thanks

    Reply ↓
  17. Hassaan Chaudhary

    Hello, I understand the updated policy on the GRE requirement is pretty straightforward, but I would like to ask for my own satisfaction. I wish to apply for a Master’s in Political Science for Fall ’21 at the GC. The suspension rule applies to the stated program as well, right?

    Thanks much.

    Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      The Graduate Center does not have an MA in Communication Arts Sciences and Disorders, so you would need to contact the school that you are applying to for clarification.

      Reply ↓
  19. Ryan

    Hi Garry, thanks for replying to these inquiries. I have a couple questions…
    1) Are the dates correct? It says Fall 2021, followed by Spring 2021. Shouldn’t it be Fall 2020 and Spring 2021?
    2) For mathematics, If I do not have the general GRE, am I out of luck for the PhD program?

    Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      1) Yes, the dates are correct. There was already an announcement for Fall 2020 and all but one of our programs has closed admission for Fall 2020 at this point; this is for people applying to 2021 (the Spring semester starts in January 2021 and the Fall at the end of August 2021).
      2) Yes, I’m sorry but that is correct; Mathematics is still going to require the general GRE.

      Reply ↓
  20. Kimberly Spencer

    Hi there!

    I go to CSI and was planning to apply for the Masters program in Education grades 7-12, to teach English, in the fall so that I could start in the Spring of 2021. Does this mean that the Masters Programs for Education are suspending their GRE requirements as well?

    Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      The Graduate Center does not have any Master’s of Education program, so you would need to contact the school (whether that be CSI or another CUNY school) that you are applying to for clarification. We can only speak for Graduate Center programs.

      Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      Yes, that is what this post is about; all Ph.D. programs at The Graduate Center, with the exception of those explicitly listed above, are suspending their GRE requirements if you are applying to start in 2021.

      Reply ↓
  23. TZ

    Hi Gerry, it is mentioned above that students that already have a GRE score should still submit it. Therefore, what would this decision mean for students who’s GRE score is lower than the average of the accepted students to the program? Is it better to not submit any GRE score than to submit a lower score in this case? or is it better to still try and improve this score?
    Thank you!

    Reply ↓
      1. TZ

        Thank you. My intention is to ask if people with lower scores should take the GRE again since CUNY is still requesting to view them, or will the existing score be ignored (although it will be provided)? Or in other words – will people with higher GRE scores still have an advantage?

        Reply ↓
        1. Gerry Martini Post author

          I would not encourage you to take them again, as the pandemic’s impact on testing is why we are suspending the scores. Programs do take into account a full application when making a decision; if you feel your scores are low and will not take the GREs again, it would be fine to send the application without them.

          Reply ↓
  25. Ivette Ortiz

    Hi Gerry,
    I’m applying to the Clinical Ph D in Psychology (forgive me for asking a question you may have already answered) and I took the GRE’s for the first time in January just to familiarize myself with the test. What scores are accepted? Also, I am currently a practicing School Psychologist – is the Doctoral version at GC Educational Psychogy?

    Best,
    Ivette

    Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      Good morning,

      Any scores from the last 5yrs would be a valid GRE; it would be up to you whether to send them now.

      The Ph.D. in Educational Psychology is probably the closest to what you are looking for, but you can also check the other subfields within the Ph.D. in Psychology program.

      Reply ↓
  26. Neha

    Hi, I want to apply for PhD in molecular biology. Is GRE suspended for this course? And what about IELTS? I want to apply for the spring 2021 but I do not have GRE and IELTS. Am I eligible to apply for spring 2021?

    Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      There is no GRE requirement for Biology. Please note however that we do not have Spring 2021 entry; you need to apply to start in Fall 2021.

      I’m sorry, but the IELTS or TOEFL requirement still stand.

      Thank you.

      Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      The Graduate Center does not have an M.S.W. program. Perhaps you might be looking for another CUNY school? In that case you need to contact the school which the M.S.W. you are interest in is hosted at to ask them if their GRE policies have changed.

      Reply ↓
  29. Thanos Chrysanthopoulos

    Hello Gerry, I intend to apply for Theatre and Performnace PhD in CUNY GC. I was wondering if candidates are exempted from TOEFL/IELTS requirement like it has been the case for GRE. If they do, the suspension applies to which years?

    Thank you.

    Reply ↓

  30. Pingback: Fall Virtual Open Houses at The Graduate Center – Office of Admissions; The Graduate Center, CUNY

  31. Phanwell Himulambo Namangala

    Hi, will the GRE For the Psychology programs( clinical specialisation @ John Jay + psychology&lAW SPECIALISATION ) be waived for the 2021 applications?
    phanwell

    Reply ↓
  32. Shresht

    Hello, according to the list above, the PhD program in Mathematics have not suspended the General test requirements. What about the subject test? It has been cancelled this year..

    Reply ↓
  34. Laxmi Vemalapally

    Hello,

    I am interested in applying for PhD Biology-Neuroscience program for Fall 2021. I understand that GRE was waived but still needs TOEFL. I am wondering if school will waive TOEFL/IELTS requirement for the applicants who has masters degree in united states and been living in the country for the decade. Please let me know.

    Thank you so much for your time.
    Laxmi.

    Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      Good morning. If you have a master’s or bachelor’s degree from the U.S. we will not require a TOEFL, so you do not need to take that exam to apply. Thank you for your interest and have a nice day.

      Reply ↓
  35. Tahmeed

    Can the TOEFL requirement be waived for PhD Economics admission for fall 2021 if the applicant is currently in a master’s program in a US university, and will graduate in Spring, 2021? At the time of application, I will have completed 30 credit hours in the program.

    Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      Good morning, The GRE is optional for Physics–so you can decide whether or not to provide those scores. However, the IELTS or TOEFL score is required. That said, if you have not taken one yet I would encourage you to complete the application with what you currently have and get us the IELTS or TOEFL as soon as you can afterwards. Thank you.

      Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      Good morning, Yes, you may apply even if your previous degree was not in Biology (though of course your previous coursework is something an admissions committee may consider). Please note that Ph.D. deadline for Fall 2021 have passed, so you would need to apply for Fall 2022. Thank you.

      Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      Good morning, We cannot give you a particular date for this–it depends on the needs of the programs review committee. My apologies; I know that waiting for an answer is the hardest part!

      Reply ↓
  42. Mohammad

    Can you give me a waive of IELTS or TOFEL for master of cognitive neuroscience. I studied my undergraduate degree in English language and I have a certificate proves that the official language of studying in my faculty is English (The University of Jordan). Also, I have a 115 score in Duolingo English exam and GRE

    Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      Good morning, The requirement is only waived if your degree is from one of these countries: https://www.gc.cuny.edu/CUNY_GC/media/CUNY-Graduate-Center/PDF/Admissions/English-language-testing-exempt-countries.pdf

      That said, I would encourage you to apply even if you have not taken the TOEFL or IELTS yet–get the scores to us as soon as possible, but don’t let it hold up your application. If you have any questions contact us: admissions@gc.cuny.edu

      Thank you.

      Reply ↓
  43. Ngwa CELESTINE ATEMENKEH

    Greetings sir! I wish to inquire if one has attended school in a purely English system, and owns a certificate of English language proficiency aside Toefl and IELTS, is one again obliged to go in for Toefl OR IELTS?

    Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      Hello Grace,

      Your application is looked at as a whole, so there is no hard cut-off GPA. However, that is a bit lower than we would normally expect so you would really need to show excellence in the rest of your application to give yourself the best shot at being admitted.

      Thank you.
      -Gerry, Office of Admissions

      Reply ↓
  45. Hassan Rasheed

    Hi, I am from Pakistan and I want to apply for a Ph.D. in EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES in Jan-22 intakes.

    I have some questions may you please guide me in this regard?

    1- I completed my B.Sc. (H) Physics and M.Sc. Physics in 2014 and 2015 respectively. So, can I apply for Ph.D. in EES program?
    2- Is GRE required for this program?
    3- What percentage is required to get admission is such a program?
    4- I obtained 74% in my M.Sc. program and I secured the first position and the university honored me with a Gold Medal.
    5- I have four years of experience in the Energy Conservation department in the reputed textile industry so, what are the changes to get admission in a Ph.D. in EES?

    Reply ↓
  48. mel

    hello
    I want to apply for psychology &low program. I searched everywhere of the site but unfortunately I couldnt find a complete list of requirements
    I also checked the link which you had recommended above.
    but I could find just half information. there were nothing about SOP or other materials of application like required score for IELTS exam??

    Reply ↓
    1. Gerry Martini Post author

      Hello Mel,

      Here is the page with requirements info: https://admissions.commons.gc.cuny.edu/program-application-deadlines-and-requirements/ If you have specific questions that you cannot find answers to please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Admissions: admissions@gc.cuny.edu

      There is no minimum for the IELTS or TOEFL scores that is required to apply–your application will be looked at as a whole.

      Thank you.
      -Gerry, Office of Admissions

      Reply ↓

Leave a Reply to Esmail Sukhera Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

css.php
Need help with the Commons? Visit our
help page Send us a message