Testing Information

What are the test requirements?

GRE

All applicants are required to take the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Scores must be from a test administered on or after February 1, 2003 and must include either the stand-alone GRE Writing Assessment or Analytical Writing section.

In order for the scores to reach the Admissions Office by the application deadlines, the GRE must be taken no later than December 1, 2007 for doctoral applicants and December 10, 2007 for master's and C.A.S. applicants.

We encourage you to self-report your scores and test date on your application. Doing so will greatly facilitate the timely processing of your application.

The Admissions Office has updated all official GRE scores received within the past year in our system. If you requested your score report be sent to us more than a year ago and/or your account does not show that it has been received, we strongly encourage you to contact ETS to determine if the score report needs to be resent.

TOEFL

In addition to the above requirements, all applicants whose native language is not English or whose baccalaureate is not from a college or university where English is the language of instruction are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and, if taking the paper-based test, the Test of Written English (TWE).

HGSE seeks applicants with scores of at least 100 TOEFL on the Internet-based test, 250 TOEFL and 5 essay rating on the computer-based test, or 600 TOEFL and 5 TWE on the paper-based test. Scores must be from a test administered no earlier than February 1, 2006.

Please note: Completion of graduate-level degrees at an institution where the instruction is conducted in English does not exempt an applicant from the TOEFL requirement.

Reminder: It is the applicant's responsibility to check whether scores have been received by the Admissions Office. Copies of GRE and TOEFL score reports are not accepted.

What is your ETS Institution Code?

The ETS Institution Code for the Harvard Graduate School of Education is 3428.

You do not need a department code for HGSE because the Admissions Office is the only department within HGSE who receives scores from ETS.

When should I take the TOEFL in order for the scores to reach HGSE in time?

In order for the scores to reach the Admissions Office by the application deadlines, the TOEFL must be taken no later than December 1, 2007 for doctoral applicants and December 10, 2007 for master's and C.A.S. applicants.

Do you ever waive the GRE or TOEFL requirement?

The Harvard Graduate School of Education does not waive test requirements or accept substitutions. The GRE is required of all applicants. The TOEFL must be taken by all applicants whose native language is not English or whose baccalaureate is not from a college or university where English is the language of instruction.

Do you have a minimum GRE score?

HGSE does not have a minimum required GRE score. Committees will not admit or deny an applicant based solely on test scores.

If I have taken the GRE several times, are my scores averaged?

Test scores are not averaged. You will be required to submit official test scores from ETS, and you will also be able to self-report GRE scores from up to two test dates.