Why More Universities Are Dropping the GRE — And What It Really Means for You A few years ago, skipping the GRE was not an option. Today, some of the biggest names in graduate education — MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Princeton — no longer require it. So what changed? And more importantly, what does it mean for you? The Real Reason Behind the Shift Universities will tell you it is about access and equity. The test costs $220 per attempt — and that is before preparation materials, travel, and the possibility of retakes. For students from lower-income backgrounds, that is a real barrier. But there is a second reason that does not get spoken about enough. Research has consistently found that GRE scores do not reliably predict graduate school success. Studies found scores were not correlated with publications, time to degree completion, or fellowship awards. Universities started asking a hard question — if this test does not actually tell us who will succeed, why are we requiring it? The result has been dramatic. Only 3% of PhD programmes across major disciplines at top US universities now require the GRE — compared with 84% just four years ago. This Is Not the Good News It Looks Like Here is what most people miss. Dropping the GRE does not make admissions easier. It makes them harder to navigate. When universities waive the GRE, they shift weight onto undergraduate GPA, research experience, letters of recommendation, and the statement of purpose. These are things you cannot prepare for in two months. A strong GRE score used to paper over a thin profile. In a GRE-optional world, there is nothing to paper over. A weak SOP with a 325 used to survive. A weak SOP without a GRE score has nowhere to hide. The students who succeed in this new landscape are not choosing between GRE or profile — they are building both strategically. What This Means Specifically for Indian Students For Indian students, this shift cuts in two directions. If you are strong academically but genuinely struggle with standardised tests — this is good news. You now have a clearer path to strong programmes without a single test defining your chances. But if you were planning to use a high Quant score to stand out in a crowded CS or Engineering applicant pool — that advantage is shrinking. GRE-optional programmes tend to attract more applicants, which means competition actually increases even without the test as a filter. The students who will find this hardest are the ones who were relying on a strong GRE to compensate for a profile that has nothing else to say. Should You Still Take It? For most Indian students targeting competitive STEM programmes — a strong GRE score still acts as a strategic advantage, even when optional. MIT, CMU, UC Berkeley, Cornell, Michigan, Georgia Tech, Purdue, and UT Austin still require or strongly recommend the GRE for most programmes. Even at test-optional schools, a strong score adds weight. A weak score is better left unsubmitted — but then everything else in your application needs to carry the full load. The question is not just “do I need the GRE?” It is “does a strong GRE score make my application stronger — and if yes, can I get one?” Both answers matter. The Real Shift The GRE debate is a proxy for a deeper question — what makes a strong graduate application in 2026? The answer is increasingly: a focused SOP, credible recommendations, research experience, and a clear direction. The GRE was always one part of that picture. For some programmes, it is no longer part of it at all. Many students now search for GRE optional universities in the US — but the real question is whether skipping the test actually strengthens your application. Whether you take it or not — your profile needs to be strong enough to stand on its own. At CLBS, we help you decide whether the GRE strengthens your profile — and if it does, how to use it strategically alongside your SOP, research experience, and applications. We are not here to sell you a course. We are here to build a strategy that gets you admitted. Visit http://www.clbs.in or WhatsApp us to start.

The Truth About ETS May Sell GRE and TOEFL: What Happens to Graduate Admissions Now The global testing landscape for higher education may soon see a major shift. Educational Testing Service (ETS), the nonprofit organization behind the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), is reportedly exploring options to sell the exams or bring in strategic investors. The discussions come as demand for standardized tests evolves due to changing graduate admissions practices and shifting international student trends. Declining Demand For The GRE For decades, the GRE was a central requirement for many U.S. master’s and doctoral programs. However, participation has declined significantly in recent years. According to ETS data, around 200,000 candidates took the GRE during the 2024–2025 testing cycle, down from more than 350,000 in 2020–2021. The shift began during the pandemic when universities made the test optional due to limited testing access. Many institutions have continued those policies, with several graduate programs now evaluating applicants through academic performance, work experience, and recommendations instead of standardized test scores. Growing Competition For English Tests While the GRE is seeing reduced demand, the TOEFL faces increasing competition from newer English proficiency tests. The Duolingo English Test, for example, gained popularity during the pandemic because it offers lower costs, fully online testing, and faster results. As universities expand the range of accepted exams, the English-language testing market has become more competitive. Changing International Student Trends Testing demand is also linked to broader shifts in international education. Factors such as visa uncertainty, rising tuition costs, and changing immigration policies have slowed growth in international graduate enrollments in the United States. Despite these challenges, India remains the largest source of international students in the U.S., with more than 360,000 students enrolled during the 2024–2025 academic year. Expert Perspective According to Mrs. Sanchita Gupta, CEO of CLBS, these changes reflect a broader shift in how universities evaluate applicants. “Graduate admissions are becoming more holistic. Universities are increasingly evaluating the overall academic profile — including academic performance, projects, research, and career goals — rather than relying solely on standardized tests.” The Bigger Picture If ETS moves forward with restructuring or selling the GRE and TOEFL, it would signal a larger transformation in global admissions systems. For students planning to study abroad, the message is clear: strong academic preparation, clear career goals, and a well-rounded application are becoming more important than standardized test scores alone.

GRE 2026: One-Month Study Plan Designed for Working Professionals CLBS Graduate Admissions Series Working a full-time job and preparing for the GRE? Welcome to the club nobody asked to join but everyone wants to win. If you’re a working professional trying to squeeze GRE prep into tired evenings and rushed weekends, the new shorter GRE (1 hour 58 minutes) is actually your blessing. Fewer questions. No unscored section. One essay. More weightage on accuracy than endurance. The test changed — your strategy must too. Here’s the ultimate 30-day GRE plan that actually fits a real adult schedule. How the New GRE Format Changes Your Prep Before the plan, understand the battlefield: Test time: ~118 minutes AWA: 1 essay Verbal: 2 short sections Quant: 2 short sections No experimental section Fewer questions = higher penalty per mistake Accuracy > speed Smart pacing >>> heavy practice Working pros don’t need more hours. You need better technique. The 30-Day GRE Plan (Designed for People With Jobs) Daily Time Commitment 90 minutes on weekdays 3–4 hours on weekends Yes, this is enough — if you’re strategic. WEEK 1 — Foundations & Diagnostics Goal: Know exactly where you stand & fix basics. Day 1 Take a full diagnostic mock (new pattern). Analyse: accuracy timing weak topics vocabulary gaps quant fundamentals Days 2–7 Quant (45 mins/day) Arithmetic: Percentages, Ratios, Work Algebra basics Data Interpretation intro (These are heaviest-weight topics now.) Verbal (30 mins/day) 15 new vocabulary words/day Reading 1 article/day (Economist, Aeon, NYT) Start Sentence Equivalence & Text Completion basics. AWA (1 day, 20 minutes) Learn the Issue essay template. CLBS Tip: Working pros improve fastest by fixing core quant logic first, not memorizing long lists. WEEK 2 — Build Muscle Memory Goal: Cement fundamentals + drill high-frequency patterns. Quant (45–60 mins/day) Algebra (exponents, linear equations) Data Interpretation sets (charts, tables) Word problems Quant comparison Verbal (30 mins/day) Text Completion sets Sentence Equivalence sets Short RC passages (2/day) Weekend Mock Take 1 timed mock Deep analysis (CLBS students get structured analytics for this) WEEK 3 — Test-Taking Strategy & Timing Goal: Shift from “learning” to “performing.” Quant Mixed problem sets Timed quant drills Focus on weakest topics from mocks Verbal RC long-passages Vocabulary revision Timed SE/TC sets AWA 2 practice essays Weekend Full mock + detailed review Relearn the topics causing most errors CLBS Strategy: Each student gets a “Weakness Map.” Fix only the highest-impact topics. No wasting time on exotic low-weight concepts. WEEK 4 — Peak Performance Goal: Replicate test conditions until performance becomes automatic. Weekdays 1 Verbal mini-test/day (20 mins) 1 Quant mini-test/day (20–30 mins) 30 mins of vocab/RC reading Fix errors immediately Weekend 2 full mocks Final polishing of AWA template Light review of formulas & strategy Day Before Test No new topics Just review pacing & strategy Sleep early. Trust the process. Common Working-Professional Mistakes (Avoid These!) Studying only on weekends (kills retention) Over-prioritizing vocabulary instead of RC Ignoring DI (now heavily weighted) Not analyzing mocks deeply Switching too many resources Sleeping 5 hours and expecting high accuracy GRE is a method. Not a memory test. How CLBS Helps Working Professionals Score 315–325+ CLBS students succeed because they get a system, not random prep: Personalized 30–45 day GRE plan Diagnostic-based study roadmap Weekly trackers & accountability check-ins Updated GRE-short format mocks Quant & Verbal breakdown analytics One-on-one doubt-solving AWA templates + evaluation University selection + SOP, profile, LOR guidance You don’t just “prepare”— you prepare with precision. Final Word A 30-day GRE target sounds intimidating until you follow the right structure. Working professionals actually perform better with disciplined, focused study blocks. If you want clarity, strategy, and real support… CLBS will take you from diagnostic → improvement → test day → admissions. One month. One plan. One solid GRE score.

Common Focus Mistakes Students Make In GRE Reading Sections Reading Comprehension (RC) is often the make-or-break section of the GRE. Even high scorers in Quant and Verbal find themselves zoning out, rereading the same sentences, or even feeling sleepy halfway through a dense passage. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The good news: staying focused on GRE passages is not about cramming more practice problems—it’s about learning how to read the right way. At CLBS, we coach students to approach RC with strategies that build both stamina and understanding. Why Students Lose Focus While Reading GRE Passages If you’re struggling to stay alert, chances are one (or more) of these issues is at play: Passive Reading – Treating the passage like a list of facts instead of a connected argument. Over-Practice Without Strategy – Solving 100+ passages without improving your technique is like taking 10,000 golf swings with a bad grip—it just reinforces mistakes. Weak Reading Foundation – Difficulty processing advanced, professionally written English (especially dense academic or scientific writing). The solution is not “more practice.” It’s better strategy. The Core Strategy: Read to Understand, Not Memorize At its heart, RC is not about shortcuts, gimmicks, or memorizing question types—it’s about reading and understanding. Here’s the CLBS-tested method to keep you sharp and engaged while reading GRE passages: Read the Passage First Skimming too quickly is dangerous. Read steadily, not slowly, but make sure you’re actually comprehending the flow. Identify the Main Idea Every GRE passage has a central message. Ask yourself: “What is the author trying to prove or explain?” Watch Transition Words Words like however, therefore, despite, consequently are red flags. They signal a shift, contrast, or conclusion. Pay attention—this is where the GRE hides its traps. Create a Mental “Table of Contents” For long passages, don’t memorize details. Instead, note where key information is. Example: “Paragraph 2 = Supernovas; Paragraph 3 = Quasars; Paragraph 4 = Cosmic microwave background.” This lets you jump back quickly. Stay Active While Reading Take short notes, paraphrase tough sentences in your own words, and keep asking: “Why is the author saying this?” Example Walkthrough: Cosmic Rays Passage Consider this excerpt (simplified): Claim 1: Supernovas produce most cosmic rays. Problem: But they cannot produce ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs). New Possibility: Maybe quasars or gamma-ray bursts are the source. Complication: UHECRs lose energy when colliding with cosmic microwave radiation. Conclusion: Rays from too far away cannot reach Earth with observed energy. Notice how every however or but shifted the author’s argument. Spotting these transitions is what keeps you alert—and makes answering inference or main-idea questions far easier. Key Takeaways Don’t just “read”—process the passage. Look for main ideas and transitions. Keep an eye on the “big picture” instead of drowning in details. Avoid endless practice without fixing your reading fundamentals. Final Word The GRE doesn’t reward speed-readers or passage-memorizers. It rewards students who can read actively, stay focused, and capture the author’s logic. If you can master that, your RC score will rise naturally. Ready to crack GRE Reading with clarity and confidence? 👉 Book a FREE strategy call with CLBS today.

Is The GRE Becoming Obsolete In 2025? Expert Opinions For decades, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) was the gold standard for students applying to master’s and PhD programs across the globe. Whether it was engineering at MIT, economics at LSE, or psychology at NYU, the GRE was seen as the ticket to proving academic readiness. But in 2025, the story is very different. Universities worldwide are rethinking the role of standardized tests, and the GRE has quietly lost the dominance it once enjoyed. Why is the GRE losing ground? Shift to Holistic Admissions Universities increasingly prefer to evaluate applicants on a broader range of factors: academic performance, research projects, professional experience, and personal statements. GRE scores no longer hold the same gatekeeping power. The Rise of the GRE’s Competitors Many programs now accept (or even prefer) the GMAT, IELTS/TOEFL, or no test at all. Business schools especially have shifted toward more flexible requirements. Equity and Accessibility Standardized tests like the GRE have long been criticized for bias and for favoring students with access to expensive test prep. Dropping the GRE is part of a larger movement to create fairer admissions systems. COVID-19’s Lasting Impact The pandemic forced universities to rethink admissions criteria when test centers were closed. What started as a temporary waiver has now become a permanent policy for many programs. What does this mean for Indian students? More Flexibility: Students applying abroad can now rely more on their academic transcripts, projects, and statement of purpose (SOP) rather than stressing only about test scores. Higher Weight on Profiles: With GRE optional, universities expect stronger profiles—internships, research, leadership, and clarity of career goals. Selective Use of GRE: For highly competitive STEM programs, a good GRE score can still act as a differentiator. But it’s no longer “mandatory.” Why the GRE Still Matters Before you dismiss the GRE completely, it’s important to note that the exam continues to hold weight in several key ways: Selective Programs: Top-tier and competitive universities still strongly prefer or require GRE scores for differentiation. Scholarship Opportunities: A high GRE score can strengthen funding applications. Global Recognition: Unlike university-specific requirements, the GRE is universally accepted across thousands of programs worldwide. Objective Benchmark: In an era where GPA scales vary widely across countries, GRE scores offer a common yardstick. The Student Perspective Here’s the truth: while some students may get into great universities without GRE scores, others—especially those applying from India or other competitive applicant pools—can stand out with strong GRE results. For ambitious students aiming at Ivy Leagues, top STEM programs, or PhDs, the GRE is still a valuable ticket. CLBS’ Take At CLBS, we guide students through this changing admissions landscape. Our approach is simple: personalized strategy. We evaluate your target programs, profile strengths, and career goals before advising whether to take the GRE. For some, the test may be optional—but for others, it can be the very factor that secures admission and scholarships. Final Word The GRE may no longer be the only gateway, but it remains a powerful one. The smart move is not to blindly follow trends, but to make informed, strategic choices. At CLBS, we’re here to help you do exactly that. If you’re planning for Fall 2026 admissions, talk to us about how to tailor your application strategy for a post-GRE world.

Demystifying the GRE: Ultimate Guide to the Latest Enhancements! If you’re thinking about going to graduate school, business school, law school – or whether you’re exploring options or have a clear path in mind, taking the GRE General Test is the first step towards demonstrating your readiness for the academic journey ahead. This exam assesses critical skills and knowledge necessary for success in various graduate programs. In the earlier GRE pattern, the test comprised of different sections, including verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. It aimed to evaluate a candidate’s proficiency in these fundamental areas to predict success in graduate-level studies. Recently, ETS announced a big change for the GRE General Test starting this September, making it the shortest and most effective evaluation. In this blog, let’s explore the specific enhancements that have been introduced. New Enhancements For Upcoming GRE After exploring these new GRE enhancements, let’s turn our attention to what aspects have remained consistent in the new GRE format despite these changes. What Remains The same? Making the test shorter helps you focus better and prevents feeling too tired or worried during the test. With the fast-tracked delivery of your official GRE scores, you can speed up your applications and step confidently towards your academic aspirations. In light of these GRE enhancements, it’s important for prospective test-takers to stay informed and adapt their preparation strategies accordingly. Remember, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Have questions about the GRE exam? Doubts about how to prepare effectively? Fret not! Feel free to reach out, and our team is ready to guide you through this journey. CLBS has an upcoming GRE batch where you can enroll and dive into a world of expert-led preparation.                                                Enroll for a FREE Demo Class