GRE for Gulf Graduate Programs: Where It Is Used

What the GRE is and where it fits

The GRE General Test, administered by ETS, is a standardised admission test used by many graduate programmes worldwide to assess verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. Across the Gulf (the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait), some research-focused master's and PhD programmes ask for a GRE score, while many others do not.

Whether the GRE is required, recommended, or not used at all depends entirely on the individual university and programme. Treat the GRE as one possible component of a graduate application, not a universal entry exam for the region.

Programmes that commonly use the GRE

In the Gulf, the GRE most often appears in research-intensive science, engineering, and technology graduate programmes. Institutions such as the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) in the UAE, along with selected master's and PhD tracks at other universities, may consider or request a GRE score.

Even within one university, requirements can differ by department: one programme may require the GRE, another may list it as optional, and a third may not ask for it. Always check the specific programme page rather than assuming a university-wide rule.

• Research-focused MS/PhD in science, engineering, and computing more often use the GRE
• Requirements can vary from one department to another at the same university
• Some programmes consider the GRE only as a supporting (optional) document

Why minimum scores vary

There is no single GRE score that works for every Gulf graduate programme. Each university sets its own expectations, and some publish only that a "competitive" score helps rather than a fixed cut-off. A score that suits one programme may not suit another, and admission also weighs your transcript, statement of purpose, references, and research fit.

Because any specific number can change between admission cycles, this guide does not state minimum scores. Confirm the exact requirement (and whether the GRE is needed at all) on the official programme page before you register for the test or submit an application. Verify on the official source.

How to confirm what each programme needs

Start on the university's official admissions website and open the page for the exact programme you want. Look for an "admission requirements" or "how to apply" section, which usually states whether the GRE is required, recommended, optional, or waived, and how to send scores through ETS.

If the page is unclear, contact the programme's admissions office directly. A test score never guarantees admission — it is one part of a holistic review — so plan the rest of your application carefully too.

• Open the official page for your exact programme, not just the university homepage
• Note whether the GRE is required, recommended, optional, or waived
• Email the admissions office if the requirement is not stated clearly

Planning your GRE timeline

If a programme you want does require the GRE, register early through the official ETS website and leave time to prepare, sit the test, and have scores delivered before the application deadline. Score reporting takes time, so build in a buffer.

Use only official ETS preparation materials and do your own work — any attempt to cheat or use a proxy can void your scores and your application. Check the current test fee, available dates, and score-reporting timelines on the official ETS source, as these change.