Is it mandatory to take GRE test to pursue MS degree from US?

Not at every university. Columbia made GRE scores optional for 2026 applications. Other universities still require it, so check each program's admissions page for the current cycle. 

The GRE General Test takes 1 hour and 58 minutes to complete. It includes three sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. This shorter format features a single essay task.

You can take the GRE year-round. Ideally, 2 to 3 months before university application deadlines. This is to allow time for score reporting or retakes. 

You can take it at an authorized ETS test center worldwide or online from home 24/7 via a computer.

You get 4 free score reports on test day. You can send them to up to four universities at no cost. Each extra report costs INR 4,150. You can pay using your online payment methods.

It depends on the programme. For a Full-Time MBA at CBS, a GMAT score (typically 600+) or an equivalent GRE score is mandatory. For 2-year MSc business programmes, GMAT/GRE scores are generally not required at universities like Aarhus or SDU, though submitting a high quantitative GMAT score can some