[Data] Which Graduate Programs Require GRE Subject Tests? The 2026 Database

Why this 2026 GRE Subject Test database matters

Most students type “do I need the GRE subject test for psychology?” and get fragments. One university says “recommended,” another says “not required,” another says “required for some applicants.” That is noisy. This page pulls it into one place and points you straight to the source page so you can confirm.

ETS states that subject tests are meant to “show what you know about a specific subject” and are accepted at thousands of graduate schools and departments worldwide. That means departments can continue to use them to compare students from different undergrad curricula. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

What the GRE Subject Tests cover in 2026

For the 2024–25 and 2025–26 testing years, ETS is offering subject tests in three fields: Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. Chemistry was discontinued after April 2023, so you will not see it in current cycles. If a department website still mentions a GRE Chemistry test, treat it as outdated and confirm directly with the department’s admissions email. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

ETS runs the subject tests in three two-week windows (September, October, April), and you can test once every 14 days. This matters because some graduate deadlines fall in December or January, so the October window is often your last shot that will be reported in time. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Subject tests are shorter than the General Test (2 hours vs. roughly 2 hours for the new general GRE), and they measure achievement in that field. That is why departments that are math-heavy or theory-heavy like them: they can see how you stack up against people from other universities. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Core fields in the 2026 cycle

1. Mathematics: typically used by math, applied math, some statistics, and a few economics or operations research departments that want proof of math maturity.
2. Physics: historically the most demanded, because physics Ph.D. cohorts need a common yardstick. Programs at places like Stanford and MIT have eased the requirement to “accepted but not required,” but they still read scores if you send them. [ Source: Stanford Physics. (Stanford Physics) ] [ Source: MIT Physics. (MIT Physics) ]
3. Psychology: used by some clinical, counseling, or research-focused psychology programs to verify baseline content knowledge. Because U.S. schools have varied psych curricula, a subject test gives them a single score to compare.

Why tests still appear in 2026 even when “GRE optional” is trending

Across U.S. graduate schools there is a visible move toward “GRE optional” or “no GRE” for the general test. [ Source: Times of India Education. (Times of India) ] But subject tests are a quieter category. Some departments keep an old line like “GRE Subject Test in Mathematics is strongly recommended.” Others update it to “not required but may enhance your application.” This database helps you spot those subtle lines.

Typical audiences for each subject test

1. Math subject test: pure math, applied math, some statistics, mathematical finance, computational and data sciences that want proof of calculus + linear algebra + higher math.
2. Physics subject test: physics Ph.D., astronomy/astrophysics in some schools, materials science in a few departments that are physics-led.
3. Psychology subject test: master’s or Ph.D. in psychology, counseling psychology, or neuroscience programs hosted in psychology departments.

If you are planning a compressed study plan, look at a structured schedule like a 30-day GRE study plan for the general test first and then layer subject-test prep on top. You don’t want to start subject-test prep without knowing the general-test dates you will sit.

How graduate programs describe subject-test rules

Departments rarely say just “Required.” They use careful language. Your job is to map that language to a yes/no/maybe so you don’t waste time preparing for a test you don’t need.

The 5 policy labels you will see

1. Required: you must submit the subject test. Application may be incomplete without it.
2. Strongly recommended: not mandatory, but omitting it can hurt you if your transcript is light in that area.
3. Recommended/considered: they will read it, and a good score can offset a weaker grade.
4. Accepted but not required: the program says explicitly “we will accept GRE and/or subject test scores, but they are not required,” like Stanford Physics for 2025–26. [ Source: Stanford Physics. (Stanford Physics) ]
5. Not considered: some programs say “do not send GRE scores.” You can skip the subject test for these.

Why the language changed after 2020

After 2020, many schools relaxed GRE rules and kept that flexibility. But for 2026 admissions, you will still find program pages that have not been updated for a year or two. That is why we include a “Source” column for every row, so you can click and check the exact line on the department page at the time you apply.

How to read program tables on this page

Every row in the database will show:

1. University name – e.g., “Stanford University.”
2. Program name – e.g., “Ph.D. in Physics.”
3. Subject test – e.g., “Physics.”
4. Policy – one of the five labels above.
5. Source – the page you can click to confirm.

This mirrors how real link-heavy academic departments like to consume data: fast, tabular, and with a link they can give to students or put on their own resource page. That is why this kind of database gets attention from departmental sites.

2026 program-by-program database (starter view)

This section starts the structured list. Because different schools in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia update at different times, always click the source link to confirm that the 2026 intake still uses the same wording.

We start with physics and math because they show the clearest “required / recommended / accepted” wording on public pages.

Physics-focused programs

Physics is a good model for your own checking: if a high-profile department says “we accept but do not require,” you can usually assume smaller or regional universities will also accept and sometimes recommend the Physics subject test to demonstrate readiness.

How to verify with the university’s source page (don’t skip this)

The most common mistake applicants make is relying on a Reddit thread or an old department FAQ. Graduate admissions pages change quietly. A program can move from “required” to “optional” in one season, like you can see on Stanford’s central graduate admissions page where they explain that if a program does not consider GRE scores, those scores won’t even be displayed to the committee. [ Source: Stanford Graduate Admissions. (Stanford Graduate Admissions) ]

So every time you see a row in this database, do a 30-second check on the department page using the link in the “Source” column. That is the line the committee will follow, not a general university page, not someone’s 2022 blog post.

5-step verification workflow

1. Open the department’s admissions page – not the graduate school’s general page, unless they say “all programs follow this.”
2. Find “Standardized Tests” or “GRE” section – many departments put this in a drop-down. Princeton even keeps a GRE table that says which subject tests are optional. [ Source: Princeton Graduate School. (Princeton Graduate School) ]
3. Match their wording to our 5 labels – “accepted but not required” is our label 4, “not considered” is our label 5.
4. Check the admissions cycle year – UC Berkeley Psychology, for example, says clearly: “The GRE is not required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. Please disregard any information that states that the GRE is required.” This is very explicit and overrides any older PDF you may have. [ Source: UC Berkeley Psychology. (UC Berkeley Psychology) ]
5. Screenshot or save the page – so if a faculty member changes “recommended” to “optional” later, you still have what you saw while applying.

What to do if the page is vague

Some universities keep things high-level and say “Some programs require GRE Subject Tests. Consult the program to which you are applying.” That’s UC’s own guidance for 2025–26. In that case, you email the department graduate coordinator and attach your question in one line. [ Source: University of California Graduate Admissions. (University of California) ]

Your email can be: “I am applying for Fall 2026 to the M.A./Ph.D. in Psychology. Your central page says some programs require a GRE Subject Test. Does your program require or consider the GRE Psychology Subject Test?” Save their answer.

More 2026 rows: Mathematics, Psychology, and mixed STEM programs

Below is a continued starter view for 2026. It mixes high-visibility schools (so you can see the exact wording) with public systems that tell you to “check department.” Use it as a pattern. You can copy and adapt this table for your own target list.

Mathematics and OR/FE style programs

This math/STEM slice shows you why the 2026 database has to be program-level. On the same campus, Applied Physics can require the Physics GRE, while Physics itself only “accepts but does not require,” and another engineering program may say nothing at all. Until you click the program’s own page you can’t be sure.

Psychology programs (2026 intake)

Psychology is the field where subject tests used to show up, but many departments have now moved to “not required” and even “not considered.” Berkeley is explicit: “Scores from the GRE Psychology subject test are not requested or considered in the application process.” That is as strong as it gets. [ Source: UC Berkeley Psychology. (UC Berkeley Psychology) ]

At the same time, general graduate-admissions guidance pages and test-prep resources still remind applicants that some psychology doctorates elsewhere may recommend or request the subject test, so our table keeps Psychology as a column. [ Source: Verywell Mind. (Verywell Mind) ]

When you build your own shortlist, you can start from this table and append any department you find that still says “Psychology GRE subject test recommended.” Add a column for your own deadline, then align it with ETS’s April or October window from the schedule page. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Examples of 2026 wording and how to interpret them

Let’s decode real 2026-style text so you can spot it fast.

Example 1: “The GRE is not required for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. Please disregard any information that states that the GRE is required.”

This is Berkeley Psychology’s wording. It wipes out both General and Subject GRE for that cycle. You do not need to send scores. If you already took the Psychology subject test, you can keep it for other schools. [ Source: UC Berkeley Psychology. (UC Berkeley Psychology) ]

Example 2: “The GRE General and Physics exam scores will be accepted but are not required in the 2025–26 application cycle.”

This is Stanford Physics. They read it if you send it. They will not reject you for not sending it. But if your undergrad physics GPA is modest and you can score high on the Physics GRE, sending it can help. [ Source: Stanford Physics. (Stanford Physics) ]

Example 3: “For the 2025/2026 admission cycle, both the General GRE and Physics Subject exams will be optional.”

This is Princeton Physics. They are telling you it is optional, and the central Princeton GRE table repeats that for multiple fields. This is exactly the kind of item you want in the 2026 database because it is crystal clear, date-stamped, and department-specific. [ Source: Princeton Physics. (Princeton Physics) ] [ Source: Princeton Graduate School. (Princeton Graduate School) ]

Example 4: “The GRE Subject Tests are accepted at thousands of graduate schools.”

This is ETS’s own language and it explains why we can make a large 200+ school list. Acceptance does not mean requirement. That’s why the Policy column matters. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Example 5: “Some programs require applicants to take a standardized test such as the GRE General Test, a GRE Subject Test, the GMAT or MCAT. Consult the program.”

This is Berkeley Graduate Division’s umbrella guidance. It tells you the university supports subject tests, but it pushes responsibility back to the department. This sentence belongs in your notes next to every UC campus you apply to. [ Source: UC Berkeley Graduate Division. (UC Berkeley Graduate Division) ]

Regional notes (U.S., Canada, and beyond)

United States: you will see the widest variation here. Elite programs have been moving to “optional” but still read the Physics or Math subject test if you send it. Public systems (UC, CSU, SUNY) usually say “check department” on a central page. [ Source: University of California. (University of California) ]

Canada: many Canadian master’s and Ph.D. programs don’t list GRE subject tests at all, but will consider them if submitted, especially for funding-competitive streams. Treat them as “accepted but not required” unless the program page explicitly asks.

Europe/UK: some UK programs will mention GRE for international applicants to show math readiness (especially for economics or quantitative degrees). They do not always say “subject test,” but if you have a strong Mathematics subject test score you can highlight it in your CV or personal statement.

Deciding if you should still take a GRE Subject Test in 2026

Here is the honest part: many programs will admit strong applicants without a subject test, especially if your transcript, research, and letters already prove readiness. But there are five clear cases where sitting for the Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology test can still help you.

Five situations where the subject test helps

1. Your undergrad wasn’t in the exact field. For example, you studied mechanical engineering but want a Physics Ph.D. A strong Physics GRE tells the committee you can survive their first-year core. This is a good time to pair subject-test prep with a structured GRE Quant preparation guide so the math load is balanced.
2. Your grades in key courses were low or spread out. Maybe you took Real Analysis in your second year and got a B. A solid Math subject test score shows improvement and current mastery.
3. You are applying from a lesser-known university. Committees don’t always know how to benchmark a GPA from a smaller college. A GRE subject test is a standardized line on your file. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]
4. Your target program explicitly says “recommended.” In graduate-admissions language, “recommended” often means “send it if you can score decently.” If you skip it, you should have some other strength (publications, advanced coursework, lab experience).
5. You are applying to multiple physics/math-heavy schools at once. Taking the test once and sending it to all of them can be more efficient than writing a separate “proof of preparation” statement for each school. You can still explain your score in your statement of purpose.

When you can safely skip the subject test

1. The 2026 department page says “not considered.” Berkeley Psychology is the cleanest example of this. Don’t spend money on a test they will ignore. [ Source: UC Berkeley Psychology. (UC Berkeley Psychology) ]
2. The program has fully dropped GRE for that cycle. Some universities are now writing “we will not review any GRE scores even if submitted.” That’s a hard stop.
3. You are very tight on time and money. If you are still paying for the General GRE, sending your scores, and trying to secure a GRE fee waiver, it’s smarter to nail the parts they definitely read.
4. Your research match is very strong. Some research-centric programs care more that you have done relevant projects than that you have a test score.

Aligning your decision with ETS windows

ETS releases a subject-test schedule with three main windows (September, October, April). Many U.S. Ph.D. deadlines fall in December–January, so the October test is often the latest you can take and still have official scores arrive in time. Always check the current-year schedule and score-reporting timelines on ETS before you register. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

If you are aiming for an October subject test, build backward: take the General GRE in July or August, follow a 90-day GRE study plan if you need more runway, and leave the September weeks for subject-test-specific review.

Cost, score reporting, and how to avoid surprises

Most applicants remember to budget for the General GRE but forget that the subject test is a separate registration. ETS states on its fee pages that subject tests have their own fee, and additional score reports have their own fee, so check the current amount the month you register. If the fee page has changed since this article’s date, follow the new amount. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

If fees are a real concern, first see if you qualify for a GRE fee reduction voucher for the General Test and then email ETS support to ask about subject-test options. Some universities that publish hardship policies may also allow late score submissions.

Score reporting checklist

1. Register early – so you get your preferred test window.
2. Send score reports to at least the programs you know about now – adding programs later can cost more.
3. Match university and department – some schools have a central code plus a department code; make sure you use the right one so your subject test doesn’t sit unreported.
4. Save receipts and confirmation emails – useful if the department says “we don’t see your score.”

If you are applying to multiple programs inside the same school (for example, physics and applied physics), tell the graduate admissions contact that you sent a Physics subject test and ask them to copy it to the second application. Many schools will do this if it is for the same term.

Turn the database into an application plan

Now that you’ve seen how to read the 2026 rows, the real leverage is in turning it into a personal plan. That plan should align four moving parts: your program list, test dates, money, and prerequisites.

1. Build a master program sheet

Start with our program rows above and add your own targets. Make column headers:

1. University
2. Program
3. Subject test
4. Policy (required / recommended / accepted / not considered)
5. Source URL
6. Application deadline
7. Notes (research match, faculty you like, funding)

Color the rows. Everything marked “required” gets top priority. Everything marked “accepted but not required” can be done if time allows. You can even reuse this sheet to track when you sent your GRE scores.

2. Align application deadlines with ETS subject-test windows

Let’s say you want to apply to a Physics Ph.D. at Stanford (accepted but not required), Applied Physics at Stanford (required), and Princeton Physics (optional, but nice to have). The October test becomes your anchor. You register for October, plan your prep backward, and keep April as a buffer for schools with later deadlines or for a retake. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Any time you add a new school to your list, look it up in this database-style layout first. If the program says nothing, email them and paste their reply into the Notes column.

3. Connect subject-test prep with your general GRE prep

A lot of candidates burn out because they try to prepare for everything at once. Instead:

1. Finish your general GRE Verbal/Quant base – use a plan like GRE study plan 30 days or the 2-month plan.
2. Add subject-test-specific review sessions – for math and physics this often means problem sets from old subject-test booklets or grad-level problem collections.
3. Schedule 2–3 full subject-test practice sessions – so you get used to the timing and breadth.

If you are in a psychology track, add in systematic review of introductory, social, developmental, and statistics topics that ETS says are on the test. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

4. Add funding and fee-planning tasks

In the same sheet, add a small column for “fee help.” If you are applying to 7–8 schools and also paying for a subject test, you want to know which schools accept fee waivers, which ones are in the U.S., and which ones might already know you qualify because you got an ETS GRE fee waiver letter.

This is where this kind of pillar page becomes a real link magnet: departments can point undergraduates to it and say, “Follow this plan, click the source link for our program, and watch ETS deadlines.” It saves them email time.

Risk management for the 2026 admissions cycle

Because we are talking about 2026, you need to accept that some program pages you see today (Nov 2025) will get updated in early 2026. So we add a small risk-management layer.

Risk controls to add to your plan

1. Bookmark every source link you rely on. That is your proof of what the program said when you applied.
2. Re-check in January 2026. Many schools refresh pages after winter break.
3. Keep a backup program that is “accepted but not required.” So if a program suddenly decides to require a subject test, you still have other options.
4. Save ETS schedule and fee pages in PDF. This protects you if you need to show a funding office what the test cost when you made the payment. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Do all of this inside the same spreadsheet where you are tracking GRE test day requirements and scores. Having one tracker for everything makes it easier to talk to your recommender or department advisor.

Summary: make the 2026 subject-test requirement work for you

You now have three things most applicants don’t: a way to read department wording, a starter 2026 table of programs, and a planning method that connects ETS test windows to real deadlines. That is how you avoid taking an extra test “just in case.”

Use the database logic like this: if the program says “required,” you schedule the subject test; if it says “accepted but not required,” you decide based on transcript strength; if it says “not considered,” you stop right there and focus on essays, research match, and letters. Everything else is noise.

FAQs

These are the six questions applicants and advisors ask most often when they see “GRE Subject Test” on a program page.

1. Are GRE Subject Tests still offered for 2026 admissions?

Yes. ETS currently lists Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology as active subject tests and runs them in three windows (September, October, April). You should always confirm the current-year test dates on ETS before registering, because dates can shift slightly by region. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

2. Do I need to take the General GRE and the Subject Test?

Usually these are separate decisions. Many 2026 programs have moved the General GRE to “optional,” but individual departments – especially physics and some math-heavy fields – still “accept” or “recommend” the subject test. Read the department page, not only the university page. If the program says “Subject test in Physics required,” that is your trigger to add the subject test on top of your General GRE. [ Source: Stanford Physics. (Stanford Physics) ]

3. My department says “scores will be accepted but are not required.” Should I send them?

Send them if they help tell your story – for example, if your undergrad grades are uneven, if you come from a college the committee may not recognize, or if you did not major in the exact field. You can skip them if your application is already very strong and the test would cost you time or money you need for the rest of your application.

4. What if the department page and the graduate school page disagree?

Follow the department page for that program and keep a screenshot. Central graduate schools often give broad instructions (“some programs require a standardized test”) while the department gives the final word (“for Fall 2026, GRE not required”). In an email, always quote the department page. [ Source: UC Berkeley Graduate Division. (UC Berkeley Graduate Division) ]

5. Can fee waivers cover the subject tests too?

ETS has a formal GRE Fee Reduction program, and they tell test takers to review current fees and eligibility on their site. Because subject tests have their own fee, contact ETS support (or your university’s financial aid/advising office) to confirm what is covered in your situation. Pair that with your school’s application-fee waiver so the overall cost is manageable. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

6. Where can I see what topics are on the Psychology or Mathematics subject test?

ETS publishes content outlines and practice materials for each subject test. Always review the official outline first, and then add supplemental review books only for the areas you need. That way your subject-test prep does not crowd out your general GRE prep. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Content Integrity Note

This page was drafted with AI assistance and then edited, fact-checked, and aligned to current public university pages and ETS subject-test documentation by Andrew Williams. Andrew Williams has 10 years of experience coaching students for the GRE, helping them aim for 320+ scores and admission to selective programs. Official test dates and subject-test availability come from ETS and are cited inline above. Always confirm the department page you are applying to, because individual programs can change “required” to “recommended” without wide announcement.