The Graduate School of Education (GSE) at many universities requires applicants to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for admission. The GRE is a standardized test that measures verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills. It is used to evaluate an applicant’s readiness for graduate-level work. The question of whether the GRE is mandatory for spring 2024 has been raised in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The GSE has announced that the GRE will not be required for admission for the 2023-2024 academic year. This decision was made in response to the disruption caused by the pandemic. The GSE recognizes that many applicants have had difficulty taking the GRE due to the pandemic, and that the GRE may not be an accurate measure of an applicant’s readiness for graduate-level work.

However, some GSE programs may still require the GRE for admission. These programs may allow applicants to submit an optional GRE for GRE waiver results. This means that applicants can submit their GRE scores if they have taken the test, but they are not required to do so. The GSE will evaluate applicants based on other criteria, such as academic performance, letters of recommendation, and essays.

The GSE also recognizes that the GRE is not the only measure of an applicant’s readiness for graduate-level work. The GSE encourages applicants to demonstrate their readiness through other means, such as research experience, extracurricular activities, and professional experience. The GSE will evaluate applicants based on a holistic review of their application materials.

In conclusion, the GRE is not mandatory for spring 2024 at the GSE. However, some GSE programs may still require the GRE for admission. Applicants may submit an optional GRE for GRE waiver results if they have taken the test. The GSE will evaluate applicants based on a holistic review of their application materials, taking into account academic performance, letters of recommendation, essays, research experience, extracurricular activities, and professional experience.