For the upcoming application cycle, we will continue to waive the GRE/GMAT requirement for Master in Public Policy (MPP) and Master in Public Administration (MPA) applicants who have successfully completed certain quantitative coursework.
GRE/GMAT Waiver Requirements
- MPP applicants: You can waive the GRE/GMAT requirements if you have earned grades of B+ (or its equivalent) or better in statistics (and/or calculus) and intermediate economics.
- MPA applicants: You can waive the GRE/GMAT requirements if you have earned grades of B+ or better in two college-level courses in economics, statistics, and/or mathematics (algebra or higher).
These courses must have been full-semester courses taken for credit at a regionally accredited higher education institution. Courses taken as pass/fail (including those taken as satisfactory/unsatisfactory) will not be considered. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), certifications, and other non-credit options will not be considered.
Courses for Waiver Eligibility | |
|---|---|
MPP | MPA |
| Intermediate economics | Two college-level courses in economics, statistics, and/or mathematics (algebra or higher) |
| Statistics and/or calculus | |
Requesting a GRE/GMAT Waiver
If you are applying to begin your studies at ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø in Fall 2026 and would like to waive the GRE/GMAT requirement, please complete the . You will need to be logged in to complete this form. If you have never created an application account, please .
On the form, you will be prompted to list the classes that meet the requirements outlined above, and you will need to upload a transcript showing the courses taken and grades earned. We also strongly encourage you to upload course syllabi.
The deadline to request a GRE/GMAT waiver is Friday, August 29, 2025. After submitting your request for a waiver, you will receive an email within several business days informing you whether your waiver request has been approved or denied.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I miss the waiver request deadline?
We have set the waiver request deadline so that applicants are informed well before the admission application deadline whether they quality for a waiver. If you are not able to submit a waiver request by Friday, August 29, 2025, you must submit results from a GRE or GMAT test with your application for admission.
Can I receive a waiver if I am currently enrolled in an eligible course?
Because you must have earned a B+ (or its equivalent) or better to waive the GRE/GMAT requirement, you must have completed the prerequisite courses and received final grades before submitting your waiver request.
What if the courses I took were not graded on a standard grading scale?
We understand that not all colleges and universities, particularly international institutions, grade on a traditional A-F letter grade scale. Generally, a B+ equates to an 87-89 on a 100-point grading scale or a 3.3 on a 4.0 grading scale. Scholaro provides a useful that may help you determine whether your performance in a course meets this requirement.
Would my application be stronger if I submitted GRE/GMAT scores?
The Admissions Committee considers many factors when evaluating candidates for admission—strong academic achievement, quantitative proficiency, leadership ability, a commitment to public service, and more. Standardized tests are just one component we review as part of this holistic evaluation process.
If you feel your performance on the GRE or GMAT would enhance the overall quality of your application—particularly if it would further demonstrate your quantitative proficiency—you are welcome to submit results. If you intend on submitting GRE or GMAT scores, please do not request a waiver.
How can I be sure my coursework fulfills the requirements to waive the GRE/GMAT requirements?
As stated above, we will be looking for MPP applicants to have earned grades of B+ (or its equivalent) or better in statistics (and/or calculus) and intermediate economics, and we will be looking for MPA applicants to have earned grades of B+ (or its equivalent) or better in two college-level courses in economics, statistics, and/or mathematics (algebra or higher).
If you are unsure about whether an economics course you have taken qualifies as intermediate economics, please review your course syllabi. Intermediate economics courses will require a more rigorous and mathematical analysis of the following topics than an introductory economics course.
- Supply and demand
- Production, cost, and supply
- Consumer choice and demand
- General equilibrium
- Uncertainty and risk
- Externalities and public goods
- Market power and price discrimination
- Imperfect competition and game theory
- Asymmetric information
- Labor markets
Do I need to submit GRE or GMAT scores if I am applying to the Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) Program?
GRE or GMAT scores are not required to apply to the MC/MPA Program. You may choose to submit GRE or GMAT scores for consideration in the application process, but this is optional. 
Do I need to submit GRE or GMAT scores if I am applying to the Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) Program?
GRE or GMAT scores are required to apply to the MPA/ID Program, as they have been found to be useful indicators of potential success in the quantitative and analytic coursework in the MPA/ID core curriculum. In general, you are most competitive for admission if your quantitative section score is 160 or above on the GRE, or 48 or above on the GMAT.
What if I am applying to a joint or concurrent degree program?
You may still be required to take the GRE or GMAT if you are also applying to one of our partner schools. Please refer to the partner school’s standardized test policy to determine if you still need to take one of these exams.
The information and policies outlined above are for applicants applying for the 2026-2027 academic year and are subject to change in future admissions cycles. For the latest policies, please see the How to Apply section of our website.
