By Leigh McLaren, Assistant Director of Admissions & Financial Aid
If you are planning to apply to the Master in Public Policy (MPP) Program or two-year Master in Public Administration (MPA) Program this coming admissions cycle, you may be eligible to waive the GRE/GMAT requirement if you have taken certain quantitative coursework.
As an assistant director who works closely with MPP candidates throughout the application process, I hear a common question: “Am I a good candidate for a GRE waiver?”
I’ve put together a list of questions to help you determine whether you are a strong candidate for a waiver or if you should take the GRE or GMAT.
What makes someone a good candidate for a GRE/GMAT waiver?
To determine if you are a good candidate for a GRE/GMAT waiver, ask yourself the following questions.
Am I applying to a waiver-eligible program?
First, it’s important for you to determine which master’s degree program you intend to apply to. Only applicants to the MPP or two-year MPA Program are eligible to request a waiver.
Applicants to the Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) Program must submit standardized test scores; applicants to the Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) Program are not required to submit GRE/GMAT scores.
Do I meet the academic requirements for a waiver? Do I have a strong overall GPA with several quantitative courses on my transcript?
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the specific waiver criteria for the master’s degree program you are applying to.
MPP Applicants
You may request a GRE/GMAT waiver if you have earned:
- Grades of B+ (or its equivalent) or better in statistics (and/or calculus) and intermediate economics; and
- An overall grade average of B or better.
MPA Applicants
You may request a GRE/GMAT waiver if you have earned:
- Grades of B+ or better in two college-level courses in economics, statistics, and/or mathematics (algebra or higher); and
- An overall grade average of B or better.
You can learn more in our previous blog post about applying for a waiver and on the How to Apply webpage.
Have I actually mastered the quantitative skills covered in previous coursework?
Even if you meet the basic requirements for a waiver, you should consider whether you have mastered the skills we are looking for when evaluating a waiver request. Consider whether you have a deep understanding of the concepts covered in micro- and macroeconomics, calculus, linear algebra, and statistics.
If you answered “yes” to these questions, you are likely a strong candidate for a GRE/GMAT waiver.
To request a waiver, you should complete the GRE/GMAT Waiver Request Form by Monday, August 31, 2026 at 11:59 a.m. ET. On the form, you will be prompted to upload a transcript showing the courses taken and grades earned, along with course syllabi. If you have never created an application account, you will need to create an account before accessing the form.
What makes someone a good candidate for taking the GRE/GMAT?
In some cases, taking the GRE or GMAT can strengthen your application, even if you meet the requirements to request a waiver. You may be better suited to take the GRE/GMAT if you:
Do not meet the requirements for a waiver
Do not have many quantitative classes on your transcript
Have inconsistent or weak grades in quantitative courses
Want another way to showcase your academic strengths
Sometimes, even if you meet the criteria for a waiver—or are applying to the MC/MPA Program, which does not require the GRE or GMAT—it can still be a good idea to take one of these exams. Strong standardized test results can provide the Admissions Committee with an additional data point to consider when evaluating your quantitative preparation.
If you are unsure which option is best for you, you are welcome to reach out to the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid at admissionsandaid@hks.harvard.edu for additional guidance.
Request a GRE/GMAT Waiver
You should complete the GRE/GMAT Waiver Request Form by Monday, August 31, 2026 at 11:59 a.m. ET.
