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 Independent |
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.