Updates to our standardized test policy

We have found GRE or GMAT scores to be an effective way for applicants to document preparation to succeed in quantitative coursework. Another way applicants can demonstrate quantitative preparation is through their prior coursework. 

Starting with the coming application cycle, we will be implementing changes to our GRE/GMAT policy for applicants to the Master in Public Policy (MPP) and two-year Master in Public Administration (MPA) Programs. We will allow MPP and MPA applicants who have successfully completed certain quantitative coursework to waive the GRE/GMAT requirement.

• MPP applicants: You can waive the GRE/GMAT requirements if you have earned grades of B+ (or its equivalent) or better in intermediate economics and statistics (and/or calculus).

• MPA applicants: You can waive the GRE/GMAT requirements if you have earned grades of B+ or better in two courses in economics, statistics, and/or mathematics (algebra or higher).

• These courses must have been full-semester courses taken for credit at a regionally accredited higher education institution. Courses taken as pass/fail (including those taken as satisfactory/unsatisfactory) will not be considered. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs),  certifications, and other non-credit options will not be considered.

There are no changes to the standardized test policy for applicants to the Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) or Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) Program. The GRE or GMAT is required for applicants to the MPA/ID Program; the GRE or GMAT is optional for applicants to the MC/MPA Program. 

Please continue reading for responses to some frequently asked questions about this policy.

Do I need to apply for a waiver?

If you are applying to HKS to begin your studies in fall 2025, you will indicate whether you wish to submit standardized test scores or take advantage of the waiver opportunity. Should you choose the waiver option, you will be prompted to list the classes that meet the requirements outlined above. You will also need to provide a transcript showing the courses taken and grades earned. 

Can I receive a waiver if I am currently enrolled in an eligible course?

Because you must have earned a B+ (or its equivalent) or better to waive the GRE/GMAT requirement, you must have completed the prerequisite courses and received final grades before submitting your application.

What if the courses I took were not graded on a standard grading scale?

We understand that not all colleges and universities, particularly international institutions, grade on a traditional A-F letter grade scale. Generally, a B+ equates to an 87-89 on a 100-point grading scale or a 3.3 on a 4.0 grading scale. Scholaro provides a useful grade conversion tool that may help you determine whether your performance in a course meets this requirement.

Please ensure that the transcripts you upload or submit with your application include a grading policy and scale so that the Admissions Committee can thoroughly evaluate your academic performance.

Even if I am eligible for a waiver, would my application be stronger if I submitted GRE/GMAT scores?

The Admissions Committee considers many factors when evaluating candidates for admission—strong academic achievement, quantitative proficiency, leadership ability, a commitment to public service, and more. Standardized tests are just one component we review as part of this holistic evaluation process. If you feel your performance on the GRE or GMAT would enhance the overall quality of your application—particularly if it would further demonstrate your quantitative proficiency—you are welcome to submit results. 

Are there certain GRE or GMAT minimums HKS will be looking for if I choose to submit test scores?

Test scores are considered holistically in the context of a full application. There are no hard minimums, but you may find it helpful to know how your scores compare to other HKS applicants. In the last admissions cycle, the 80% range for the GRE quantitative section for applicants admitted to the MPP and MPA Programs was 155-170, and the 80% range for overall GMAT scores was 680-750.

How can I be sure my coursework fulfills the requirements to waive the GRE/GMAT requirements?

As stated above, we will be looking for MPP applicants to have earned grades of B+ (or its equivalent) or better in intermediate economics and statistics (and/or calculus), and we will be looking for MPA applicants to have earned grades of B+ (or its equivalent) or better in two college-level courses in economics, statistics, and/or mathematics (algebra or higher). 

If you are unsure about whether an economics course you have taken qualifies as intermediate economics, please review your course syllabi. Intermediate economics courses will require a more rigorous and mathematical analysis of the following topics than an introductory economics course.