Due to Covid-19 outbreaks, the educational scenario is getting changed worldwide. A major one among those is visible in terms of admission. Amidst Covid-19 situation, the test centers are slowly reopening. However, the candidates have to follow the strict safety guidelines to appear in the exam centers. Even though the conducting authorities of entrance tests like GMAT and GRE and language tests like IELTS and TOEFL introduced the at-home versions, but not all the candidates can meet the technical requirements. Keeping this in mind, MIT has changed their admission requirements by making GRE optional and some departments are excused GRE score.

Recently, Graduate Admissions Coordinator, Liza Ruano mentioned that the MIT Graduate Admission website has been updated its GRE policies. The admission website includes information on deadlines, degrees, admission requirements, and required test scores.

A few departments are making GRE optional, some are just excusing and some others are mentioned alternative requirements. The decisions are solely made because of Covid-19 situation. Check the following section to know the changes made:

Departments of MIT that have Excused GRE Score

At MIT, a few departments have seemed to make GRE optional this year. However, the major departments have excused GRE score – yes, the candidates will not need to submit their GRE score for the intake of 2020–2021 graduate classes. This facility is obviously offered keeping in mind the safety and ease of the candidates.

The following departments, to be more specific, have excused GRE score this year:

• School of Aeronautics and Astronautics
• School of Anthropology
• School of Biology, and Brain
• School of Chemical Engineering
• School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• School of Cognitive Sciences
• School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
• School of Engineering
• School of History
• School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
• School of Linguistics
• School of Materials Science and Engineering
• School of Mechanical Engineering
• School of Medical Engineering
• School of Medical Physics
• School of Nuclear Science and Engineering
• School of Science
• School of Society
• School of Technology

MIT departments That have Made GRE Optional

A few departments of MIT have made GRE optional, which means the score submission of GRE is up to the decision of the candidates. The following departments have announced to offer this facility:

• Department of Biological Engineering
• The Institute for Data, Systems, and Society
• School of Political Science
• School of Philosophy

MIT Departments that will not consider GRE score

For the graduate classes 2020–2021 admissions cycle, the following departments are not considering GRE scores:

• School of Atmospheric
• School of Chemistry
• School of Earth
• School of Mathematics
• School of Physics
• School of Planetary Sciences
• School of Science

For admission in these departments, there will possibly be other admission criteria, which is not disclosed yet.

Previously, GRE General Test and GRE Subject Tests scores are mandatory for admission in graduate programs of MIT. Due to Covid-19, candidates were uncertain regarding their admission in graduate courses, as MIT happened to be strict with their requirements. Previously it was noticed that the admission authority as not willing to change the admission requirements or extend the admission deadlines.

At this point of time, the meritorious candidates were doubtful regarding their graduate studies. However, the decision of MIT is really commendable. The candidates around the world can be hopeful for 2020-2021 intakes due to the changing GRE requirements.