No, the GRE is not required for most online engineering master's programs in 2026. George Washington University does not require the GRE for any of its six online engineering master's programs, including Engineering Management, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, and Cloud Computing Management. Applicants may submit GRE scores to strengthen an application, but it is not required. This shift is part of the broader "GRExit" trend, in which many universities have dropped or made optional the GRE requirement for graduate engineering admissions.
Standardized test requirements have changed dramatically in graduate engineering admissions over the past five years. If you are evaluating online master's programs in 2026, the short answer is that the GRE is no longer the default barrier it once was. This guide explains where the GRE actually stands today, what George Washington University requires for admission, and how to decide whether to submit scores even when they are not required.
The Short Answer for GW Online Engineering
The George Washington University Online Engineering Programs do not require the GRE for admission to any online master's degree.
This applies to every one of GW's six online engineering master's programs. The GRE is not required, but scores may be submitted optionally to strengthen an application. No application fee is required either, and admission decisions are made on the strength of academic background, professional experience, recommendations, and personal statement.
The "GRExit" Trend: Why So Many Programs Dropped the GRE
Beginning in the late 2010s and accelerating through the pandemic, a movement called GRExit gained momentum across U.S. graduate programs. Universities increasingly questioned whether GRE scores actually predicted student success. Research has shown that while GRE scores correlate with first-semester grades, they do not predict graduation rates, qualifying exam performance, time to degree, publication output, or successful career outcomes.
As a result, many top engineering and science programs have permanently dropped the GRE requirement. Universities have replaced standardized testing with a holistic review of transcripts, professional experience, recommendations, and personal statements. For online programs serving working professionals, the GRE was an especially poor predictor, since most applicants already have years of demonstrated engineering performance on the job.
GW Online Engineering: GRE Policy for Every Master's Program
Here is the GRE requirement status for each of GW's six online engineering master's degrees as of the 2026-2027 academic year:
| GW Online Engineering Master's Program | GRE Required? |
|---|---|
| M.S. in Engineering Management | No |
| M.S. in Electrical Engineering | No |
| M.S. in Systems Engineering | No |
| M.Eng. in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | No |
| M.Eng. in Cybersecurity (Analytics or Policy and Compliance) | No |
| M.Eng. in Cloud Computing Management | No |
In every case, the GRE is optional. Applicants who have strong scores may submit them to add weight to their application, but admission is determined primarily through the other components of the application package.
What GW Admissions Reviews Instead of GRE Scores
Without standardized testing, admissions committees evaluate applicants through a more comprehensive lens. Here is what GW reviews:
| Application Component | What It Demonstrates |
|---|---|
| Official transcripts | Academic foundation and technical preparation from your undergraduate institution |
| Resume or CV | Work experience, technical skills, certifications, and projects relevant to the program |
| Personal statement | Career goals, motivation for the degree, and fit with the program |
| Two letters of recommendation | Validation from academic or professional contacts who can speak to your readiness |
This holistic process tends to favor candidates whose actual engineering work, technical foundation, and stated career direction demonstrate readiness for graduate study. It rewards real-world performance over test-day performance.
When You Might Want to Submit a GRE Score Anyway
Even when the GRE is not required, there are a few situations where submitting scores can genuinely help:
- Your undergraduate GPA is below the typical admissions threshold, and a strong GRE score can offset academic concerns
- You are changing fields and want to demonstrate quantitative reasoning ability outside your previous discipline
- You graduated more than 10 years ago and want recent evidence of academic readiness
- You are competing for scholarships or graduate assistantships that may use GRE scores as a tiebreaker
- You scored exceptionally well and want the score on your transcript as a credential
If none of these apply to you, skipping the GRE saves significant time and money without harming your application.
The Real Cost of the GRE in 2026
The GRE General Test costs $220 in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands [1]. Additional fees apply for changing test centers ($50), rescheduling ($50), score reinstatement ($50), and additional score reports ($35 per recipient). A 50 percent fee reduction is available through ETS for qualifying applicants who demonstrate financial need, but most working professionals do not qualify.
The financial cost is only part of the story. The bigger expense is time. Kaplan reports that GRE test-takers typically spend between 50 and 200 hours preparing for the exam, depending on starting score, target score, and study efficiency. For a working engineer studying around a full-time job, that translates to roughly one to five months of evening study time that produces no degree credit.
Choosing a program that does not require the GRE recovers that time and applies it directly to coursework.
GMAT vs. GRE for Engineering Master's Programs
Some engineering management programs historically accepted the GMAT as an alternative to the GRE. However, both are typically optional or not required at most online engineering master's programs today. GW Online Engineering Programs do not require the GMAT for any program. Engineers considering programs that bridge engineering and management, such as a Master's in Engineering Management, almost never need either test in 2026.
If you are deciding between a Master's in Engineering Management and an MBA, however, the testing landscape diverges. Many MBA programs still require or strongly prefer the GMAT or GRE, while engineering management programs increasingly do not. This is one of several practical factors that make engineering management a more accessible path for working engineers.
How to Apply to GW Online Engineering Programs Without a GRE
The application process for any of GW's online engineering master's programs is streamlined for working professionals:
- Complete the online application. Provide personal, academic, and program-specific details through the GW Online Engineering Programs application portal.
- Submit official transcripts. Upload official transcripts from all degree-granting institutions. Electronic submissions are encouraged for faster processing.
- Submit a resume or CV. Highlight relevant work experience, technical skills, certifications, and projects.
- Submit a personal statement. Describe your career goals, motivation, and fit with the program.
- Request two letters of recommendation. From academic or professional contacts who can speak to your qualifications and readiness for graduate study.
- Pay the deposit upon admission. A $495 non-refundable tuition deposit is required upon admission and is applied toward first-semester tuition. There is no application fee.
GW operates on rolling admissions with multiple start terms each year. Early applications are encouraged to allow time for transcript processing and recommendation submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the GRE required for any GW online engineering master's program?
No. GW does not require the GRE for any of its six online engineering master's programs. Applicants may submit scores optionally to strengthen an application.
- Will skipping the GRE hurt my chances of admission?
No. GW evaluates applications holistically based on transcripts, work experience, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Skipping the GRE does not disadvantage applicants when scores are not required.
- If the GRE is optional, should I submit a score anyway?
Only if your score is strong and adds meaningful information beyond what your transcripts and resume already show. A mediocre score can hurt more than it helps. If you have not taken the GRE and the program does not require it, you generally do not need to take it.
- What is the minimum GPA for admission to GW's online engineering master's programs?
Specific GPA expectations vary by program. Applicants whose undergraduate GPA is below typical thresholds may want to address this in the personal statement or consider supplementing with a GRE score, professional certifications, or additional academic work.
- Is the GMAT accepted instead of the GRE?
GW does not require the GMAT for any of its online engineering master's programs. Most engineering management programs nationwide have moved away from requiring either standardized test.
- Does GW require the GRE for doctoral programs?
This guide covers master's-level programs. Doctoral program requirements differ. Prospective doctoral applicants should review the specific requirements for each program directly.
- Do international applicants need any test other than the GRE?
International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through one of four accepted tests: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or PTE Academic, unless they have earned a degree from an institution where English is the language of instruction. GW Online Engineering Programs typically require a minimum score of 80 on the TOEFL or 6.0 on the IELTS.
- What if I already took the GRE and scored well? Can I still submit it?
Yes. GW accepts optional GRE submissions for any applicant. Strong scores can add positive weight to an application package, particularly if other elements of the application are borderline.
Take the Next Step Without the Test Prep
If you have been delaying your online engineering master's because you didn't want to spend months of evenings studying for the GRE, you don't have to. George Washington University Online Engineering Programs admit qualified applicants based on the work you have already done, not on a single test score.
Explore GW's six online engineering master's programs or apply today
References
Educational Testing Service (ETS), GRE General Test Fees.
George Washington University, Online Engineering Programs Application Process.