International students applying to US graduate programmes often wonder: do I need both GRE and IELTS? Can a high IELTS score replace the GRE? This guide answers these questions definitively.
The Direct Answer
GRE and IELTS/TOEFL test completely different things:
| Test | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| GRE | Academic aptitude, verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing |
| IELTS | English language proficiency, reading, listening, speaking, writing |
A high IELTS score does not replace GRE. A high GRE score does not replace IELTS. They are required independently.
When You Need Both GRE and IELTS/TOEFL
| Situation | GRE? | IELTS/TOEFL? |
|---|---|---|
| Non-native English speaker applying to US PhD in STEM | If required by department | Yes, mandatory |
| Non-native English speaker applying to US master's | If required by programme | Yes, mandatory |
| US citizen applying to US graduate school | If required | No (English assumed) |
| Applying to GRE-optional programme | No | Yes, still needed |
Even when GRE is optional or waived, IELTS/TOEFL remains a mandatory requirement for non-native English speakers.
Can a High IELTS Score Exempt You from GRE?
No: at no major US university does a high IELTS score exempt you from GRE where GRE is required. The two tests serve different admissions purposes:
- GRE: Assesses academic readiness and aptitude for graduate-level work
- IELTS: Confirms English language proficiency for instruction and participation
A student with IELTS 8.0 and GRE Quant 140 has demonstrated excellent English but weak quantitative reasoning, and a STEM department would correctly be concerned about the latter regardless of the IELTS score.
Does GRE Verbal Score Affect IELTS/TOEFL Requirements?
No: GRE Verbal does not substitute for IELTS. However, GRE Verbal preparation and IELTS preparation develop overlapping skills:
| Overlapping Skill | GRE | IELTS/TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Academic vocabulary | Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence | Reading; Writing vocabulary |
| Inference from text | Reading Comprehension | Reading T/F/NG; TOEFL inference |
| Academic essay writing | Analytical Writing (argument analysis) | Writing Task 2; TOEFL Academic Discussion |
Students who prepare well for GRE Verbal often find IELTS Academic Reading easier, and vice versa. Preparing for both simultaneously makes sense for this reason.
Do Business Schools Require Both?
For MBA applications:
- GMAT or GRE (either accepted; GMAT is more traditional)
- TOEFL or IELTS (both accepted; required for non-native English speakers)
US MBA programmes consistently require both an aptitude test (GMAT/GRE) and a language test (TOEFL/IELTS).
Is IELTS or TOEFL Better Alongside GRE?
For US-focused applications, TOEFL is the traditional partner test with GRE: both are administered by ETS and some universities have legacy systems built around TOEFL. However:
- IELTS is accepted at all major US universities that accept TOEFL
- No admissions advantage attaches to either
- Choose based on your strengths (TOEFL: fully computer-based; IELTS: live Speaking examiner)
Timing Your GRE and IELTS/TOEFL
If preparing for both:
| Approach | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneously | Finish faster; vocabulary overlaps | Mental load; harder to focus deeply |
| Sequential (TOEFL first, then GRE) | Focus on one at a time | Takes longer overall |
| Sequential (GRE first, then TOEFL) | GRE vocabulary boosts TOEFL | GRE takes longer to prepare |
Recommended: If your TOEFL target is 100+ and GRE Quant target is 165+, allow 10-14 weeks total:
- Weeks 1-6: GRE preparation (both sections)
- Weeks 5-10: TOEFL preparation (overlap with GRE weeks 5-6)
- Week 11: Take TOEFL
- Week 12: Take GRE (or vice versa)
Prepare for TOEFL with Gabble: while GRE preparation builds academic vocabulary, TOEFL requires specific test strategies that must be practised directly. AI-powered Speaking and Writing feedback with instant scores.