GRE and GMAT for Postgraduate Admission at Asian Universities

GRE and GMAT are optional far more often in Asia than in the US

Students who research US graduate admission often assume the GRE or GMAT is a universal requirement. Across East and Southeast Asia that is frequently not the case: many master's and PhD programmes do not ask for either test, and requirements are set programme by programme rather than nationally.

The GRE and GMAT are also two different tests for different purposes, and neither replaces the English-language test (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) that most international-student programmes require. It is easy to conflate the two, so it helps to separate them before you plan.

The only reliable rule is to read the official admission page of each programme on your shortlist. This guide explains where the tests tend to matter and how to decide whether to sit one.

What the GRE and GMAT actually are

The GRE General Test is run by ETS and is used across many graduate fields, from sciences and engineering to humanities and social sciences. The GMAT is run by GMAC (through mba.com) and is aimed at business and management programmes, including the MBA.

Both are aptitude tests, not English tests. A programme may require an English-language test and no GRE/GMAT, a GRE/GMAT and an English test, or neither — the combination is set by each department.

• GRE General Test (ETS) — broad graduate admission across many disciplines
• GMAT (GMAC / mba.com) — business, management and MBA admission
• English tests (IELTS/TOEFL/Duolingo) are separate and more commonly required
• Some programmes accept the GRE in place of the GMAT for business study — confirm per school

Where GRE or GMAT are commonly expected

Business schools are the most likely place to meet a GRE or GMAT requirement. Several MBA and management master's programmes in the region — for example at leading schools in Singapore and Hong Kong — commonly expect the GMAT, and many also accept the GRE.

Some research-focused or English-taught master's and PhD programmes at major research universities may request the GRE, particularly in quantitative or STEM fields, though many waive it. Requirements differ between departments at the same university.

Because this varies so much, treat the test as programme-specific. Do not assume a whole country or university has one policy — check the exact course.

Where you often will not need them

Many admission routes in Asia rely on your transcripts, degree classification, a research proposal, references, a supervisor's support and an English test — with no GRE or GMAT at all. Supervisor-led research admission and several government-scholarship routes (such as MEXT in Japan, CSC in China, GKS in Korea) typically fall into this group.

Coursework master's programmes in many systems also admit on the strength of your degree, transcript and English test. If a programme page lists required documents and does not mention the GRE or GMAT, that usually means it is not needed — but confirm on the official page before deciding.

How to decide whether to sit the GRE or GMAT

Start from your shortlist, not from the test. Read each programme's official admission requirements and note whether the GRE/GMAT is listed as required, recommended, optional or waived. If none of your target programmes ask for it, you may not need to sit it at all.

• Applying to business/MBA programmes → GMAT (or GRE where the school accepts it)
• Applying to research or academic programmes that request it → GRE
• Weigh registration cost, preparation time and score validity — all on the official test-board sites
• If it is only 'recommended', decide whether a strong score would strengthen an otherwise borderline profile

Costs, scores and validity — check the official test boards

Registration fees, score scales, score validity, and whether the test is taken at a centre or at home all change over time and differ by country. Do not rely on second-hand figures: the ETS GRE site and the GMAC/mba.com GMAT site are the authoritative sources, and each programme also states which scores and validity windows it accepts.

Finally, remember that a test score is only one part of a holistic review. A high GRE or GMAT score does not guarantee admission, and no coaching service or agent can promise you a place.