Key takeaways
- What is a GRE?
- The GRE or Graduate Record Examination is a standardized admission test
- It is accepted by most colleges and universities around the world
- What is a subject GRE?
- A standardized admission test for specific subjects, such as psychology, mathematics, and physics
- Top test-optional colleges for psychology grad degrees
- Arizona State University Global Campus
- Vanguard University
- Walden University
- Saybrook University
- The Chicago School
- Capella University
- California Southern University
Quick look at GRE/Test-optional colleges for psychology grad degrees
| What are test-optional colleges? | Colleges that do not require you to submit any standardized test scores for admission such as GRE, GMAT, and more |
| Why are colleges becoming test-optional? |
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| Top psychology grad schools that are test-optional |
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| Top 3 affordable psychology grad schools |
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Note: All data is as of December 2025.
What is the GRE test?
The GRE or Graduate Record Examination is a standardized admission test that is accepted by universities and colleges all around the world. The test is designed specifically for advanced study assessment and is used to measure your capability to study in a grad-level program. However, the test itself does not test your knowledge and skills for a specific subject, and is rather general, with core focus areas such as:
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Analytical Writing skills
On the other hand, there are subject-focused tests that you might wish to explore.
Furthermore, this is a computerized test that is typically given in-person at testing centers. Since it is a standardized test, it provides a one-stop benchmark for all academic institutes to follow. According to the Kaplan Test Prep, the exam thoroughly assesses your analytical capabilities that are rather necessary for advanced level higher education.
GRE Subject Tests
In addition to the general examination, the subject-specific GRE tests are designed for majors such as Mathematics, Psychology, and Physics. These tests are focused on measuring and assessing the performance of students during their undergraduate degree in the specific field of work. Moreover, the psychology GRE test includes the following contents:
- 144 multiple-choice questions
- Broadly defined psychology concepts covered
- Focused on actual knowledge
- May explore the application of concepts in real-life situations
What are test-optional colleges for psychology grad degrees?
Graduate degrees in various fields or subjects are very thorough and competitive. To apply for grad school admission, a lot of preparation is necessary. While there are other requirements such as a standard GPA in bachelor’s degree, there are also additional requirements and test scores that help you with your application.
When applying for a psychology grad school program, different tests can be truly beneficial for your application. More importantly, the Graduate Record Exam or GRE is one of the most reliable and in-demand tests that colleges need from grad school applicants.
However, more and more universities and colleges are becoming “test-optional”. This means that submitting a test score of GRE, GMAT, or any other type of standardized admission tests is now optional, but not mandatory. Moreover, this also means that submitting a test score along with your application can help you stand out and gain an advantage if the score is high. But it does not make you eligible or not for the program.
In addition to this, some colleges are “test-free”. This means that you do not submit any test scores, even if you have some. More institutes, especially for their grad school programs, are not following the practices of undergraduate level by going test-optional. Some reasons why there are more test-optional colleges are:
- Ensures diversity and equal opportunity by removing test requirements such as GRE
- In-person testing for traditional tests, such as the GRE are now inconvenient and highly discouraged
- Grad schools or test-optional colleges now focus on broader aspects of the applicant such as their work experience rather than limit the scope just to a test score
The test-optional colleges for grad degrees can be for psychology majors as well as other programs, including sociology grad schools, social science, and so on.
Explore Sociology Undergrad Degrees | Explore Behavior Therapist College Programs | Explore Social Science Degree
Why are more psychology grad schools becoming test-optional?
There is a recent change in how grad schools and colleges take admissions. Fortunately for many students, more and more test-optional colleges are emerging with forward-thinking admission criteria. There are many reasons why institutes are deciding to become test-optional or test-free all together. Here are some reasons why:
Weak predictor of student capabilities
According to many research and surveys, the GRE is an outdated and restrictive predictor of student capabilities. Moreover, experts suggest that admission managers and university personnel should rely less on these test scores and incorporate other indicators to ensure the validity.
Preference for holistic admissions
Using other measures and predictors helps colleges ensure that several other qualities are present in the selected students. As a result, they get the cream of the crop, with high performance guaranteed. The new and modern holistic review of applicants now looks at factors like:
- Research experience
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statements
- Relevant clinical or applied experience
Widespread access and better diversity
The GRE test is an additional burden for many students, as it has a registration and exam fee, along with re-trials in case of a poor score. This, along with the college admission fee and other costs can lead to overall financial burden as well as time-consuming procedure. Therefore, the reduction in cost as well as the need for several in-person tests makes grad school admissions more accessible.
Learn more about psychology scholarship programs.
More focus on research experience
Psychology grad schools, specifically those focused on research and PhD prospects, are inclined towards students who have a strong research foundation. These programs value students who showcase relevant research projects, papers, and understanding. So, they look for more than just the test scores, and want to see factors like:
- Hands-on research experience
- Statistical and methodological skills
- Strong mentorship relationships
Top psychology grad test-optional colleges
The following table includes a list of top grad schools and test-optional colleges for a master’s degree in psychology. All the following colleges do not require any GRE or other type of test scores. So, explore the best grad programs that you can enroll yourself in.
|
College |
Program | Tuition cost |
Duration |
| Arizona State University Global Campus | Online Master of Science in Psychology | $8,790 per academic year | 2 years |
| Vanguard University | Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Psychology |
(Source) |
2 to 4 years |
| Walden University | Online Master’s in Psychology |
(Source) |
1 to 2 years |
| Saybrook University | M.A. in Psychology | $1,446 per credit
(source) |
2 to 3 years |
| The Chicago School | Online M.A. Applied Psychology | $1,458 per credit hour
(source) |
1 year |
| Capella University | Online Master of Science in Psychology |
(source) |
1 to 2 years |
| California Southern University | Master of Science (MS) in Psychology Degree Program | $645 per credit hour
(source) |
2 to 3 years |
Get a psychology degree from reputable colleges, discover more here! |
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Note: All data is as of December 2025.
How to strengthen your application to psychology grad school?
To strengthen your application to a psychology grad school, you need to focus on aspects that make your application appear strong and unique. It’s a highly competitive process, with hundreds of other great applicants. Therefore, making sure that your application is strong and outshining others is important. Here are some ways to strengthen your application to a psychology grad school:
Share relevant research experience with documented proof
Hands-on research experience demonstrates your ability to engage with psychological inquiry beyond coursework. So, you can include lab work, data collection, any experience with research assistance, literature review, and relevant presentations. Moreover, make sure to document each of these experiences through a psychology portfolio, and a well-organized resume.
Maintain a strong GPA during your undergrad degree
A strong GPA signals academic readiness for graduate-level psychology coursework. More importantly, most of the admission committees focus on GPA and place emphasis on students who have graduated in the upper division. A strong GPA can be a way to ensure your application is strong and likable.
Write a clear and strong personal statement
A well-written personal statement communicates your academic interests, career goals, and fit with the program. For the admission committee to decide whether you are fit for the program, you need to present a personal statement that tells them what you stand for and how passionate you are about the psychology field.
Conclusion
In summary, many psychology grad schools are now test-optional, which is a huge benefit for all the students. The test-optional feature makes the admissions process less burdensome, while also ensuring that students are chosen based on their true capabilities and not some exam score.
Moreover, schools do not require you to take the GRE and other exams that charge a significant fee, not only requiring you to spend money but also money preparing for the exam. Many popular colleges like NYU are now test-optional.
Therefore, if you are planning to pursue higher education at grade level after your bachelor’s degree, you should be relieved that the GRE or other admission exams are no longer a necessity. However, make sure to maintain a good undergrad GPA, align with gathering work experience and good recommendation letters are still very important for ensuring you get admitted into psychology grad school.
You can get some solid degree advice or explore personalized college recommendations to find the most appropriate career and academic path for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NYU a test-optional college?
According to the latest updates by NYU, the college wishes to remain test-optional for the academic year 2025 to 2026. This goes for all kinds of standardized tests for all undergrad and grad programs, including GRE and SAT. However, NYU is not test-free, but optional, meaning you can submit your test scores if you wish to.
How difficult is it to get into grad school for psychology?
Undoubtedly, getting into psychology grad school is a highly competitive process, with so many difficult criteria and requirements to meet. Here are some reasons why it is so difficult to get into grad school for psychology:
- High ratio of applicants-to-slots, making only limited seats available for eligible and qualifying candidates
- Most of the grad schools applicants come from accredited undergrad psychology majors and are therefore highly qualified
- Admission committees are strictly focused on qualities beyond scores and GPA, such as research activities and volunteer work
- To make your admission application strong, a bunch of recommendation letters also play a vital role
In addition to this, it is important to note that the difficulty of getting an admission also depends largely on the program and field. For example, clinical psychology is one of the most competitive fields to get into, while other areas of psychology may not be as difficult.
How long is a psychology grad degree?
Different psychology grad schools have a different timeline or duration for students to follow. For example, some psychology grad schools offer an accelerated track that allows students to finish the degree in less than 15 months.
On the other hand, some in-person colleges may require over 2 years to complete the degree. Moreover, the degree duration also depends on additional factors like whether the student is studying full-time or part-time, and how many courses they are taking every semester. Overall, the average duration of grad programs can be between 1 and 3 years.
Is the GRE psychology test hard?
The GRE psychology subject test is a standardized admission test that validates a student’s knowledge and skills in the specific field. This exam and the scores are used by many psychology grad schools as an indicator of how well versed the student is.
However, the test is not a mandatory step for getting an admission in psychology grad school. This test can be difficult for some students, depending on factors like their preparation and experience level. Many students find this test hard because:
- It covers a broad range of topics
- Has a tough emphasis on real-life applications
- might require memorizing many concepts, definitions, and other facts
- There are over 200 questions to be completed in a limited time