California Institute of Technology GRE requirements (2026)
Caltech sets GRE policy option by option, so there is no single institute-wide rule; some divisions require it, several treat it as optional, and applicants must check their specific option's page.
About California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a small private research university in Pasadena focused on science and engineering. It has no business school, and its graduate options set their own GRE policies.
QS World University Ranking 2026: #10
GRE requirement by program
California Institute of Technology sets its GRE policy by program, so there is rarely a single university-wide answer. Below is each program we have checked, with its status, a link to the program's own admissions page, and the date we last confirmed it.
| Program | Status | Official source | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|
Graduate Studies Office (all options) PhD and masters | Varies by program Caltech states GRE policies differ substantially among graduate programs, so applicants must refer to the GRE policy for their specific option. | gradoffice.caltech.edu | Jun 2026 |
Computing + Mathematical Sciences (incl. Computer Science) PhD and masters | Not accepted The CMS admissions FAQ states the GRE is not required for application for the 2025-2026 academic year. | cms.caltech.edu | Jun 2026 |
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering PhD and masters | Optional GRE scores are not required and their absence will not be negatively considered, but submitted scores will be reviewed if an applicant chooses to send them. | cce.caltech.edu | Jun 2026 |
Mechanical and Civil Engineering PhD and masters | Optional The department states that submission of GRE scores is optional. | mce.caltech.edu | Jun 2026 |
Geological and Planetary Sciences PhD and masters | Required GRE scores are required for all options other than Environmental Science and Engineering and Planetary Science, where the GRE is recommended but not required. | gps.caltech.edu | Jun 2026 |
Physics (Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy) PhD | Required For the entering cohort, the GRE general test is recommended while the GRE physics subject test is required. | pma.caltech.edu | Jun 2026 |
Each status was read from the program's own admissions page (last checked 12 06 2026). Policies change between cycles; always confirm on the linked official page before you apply.
Not the program you need? The status is set department by department. Use the three-step check on the is the GRE required page to confirm any program in a couple of minutes.
Should you submit a GRE score?
Where California Institute of Technology marks a program Optional, a score comfortably above the program's admitted-student median can strengthen a borderline application, especially for funded or international applicants. Below that median, your effort is usually better spent on the required parts of the file. Where a program is Not accepted, do not send a score, it will not be reviewed.
Unsure where you would land? Sit a free full-length mock and convert your scaled score to its exact official percentile before you decide.