GRE Subject Tests: Which Programs Require Them and How to Prepare

GRE Subject Tests: Which Programs Require Them and How to Prepare

GRE Subject Tests are specialized exams that test your knowledge in a specific academic field — unlike the general GRE, which tests reasoning abilities. Subject Tests are designed for students applying to graduate programs in specific disciplines and are used by admissions committees to compare applicants who may have different undergraduate backgrounds. Not all programs require them, but for those that do, a strong Subject Test score can significantly strengthen your application.

This guide covers everything you need to know about GRE Subject Tests in 2026: which programs require them, which subjects are available, how they are scored, and how to prepare. For the general GRE, see our Complete GRE Guide. For general GRE score expectations, see our GRE Score Requirements guide.

What Are GRE Subject Tests?

GRE Subject Tests are paper-based exams that test your undergraduate-level knowledge in a specific academic discipline. Key facts:

• Each test is 2 hours 50 minutes long
• All questions are multiple choice (5 answer choices)
• Tests contain approximately 66-230 questions depending on the subject
• Scored on a 200-990 scale in 10-point increments
• There IS a penalty for wrong answers (0.25 points deducted per incorrect answer), so guessing randomly is disadvantageous
• Offered 3 times per year: September, October, and April
• Paper-based only — GRE Subject Tests are NOT offered digitally or at home
• Scores are valid for 5 years

Available GRE Subject Tests

As of 2026, ETS offers GRE Subject Tests in the following areas:

Mathematics

• Approximately 66 questions in 2 hours 50 minutes
• Tests calculus (50%), algebra and number theory (25%), and additional topics (25%) including real analysis, abstract algebra, and topology
• The most commonly required Subject Test for PhD programs in mathematics, applied mathematics, and statistics
• Test difficulty: Covers material from a strong undergraduate mathematics curriculum, including real analysis and abstract algebra that some undergraduates may not have studied

Physics

• Approximately 100 questions in 2 hours 50 minutes
• Tests classical mechanics (20%), electromagnetism (18%), optics and wave phenomena (9%), thermodynamics and statistical mechanics (10%), quantum mechanics (12%), atomic physics (10%), special relativity (6%), laboratory methods (6%), and specialized topics (9%)
• Required or recommended by many top PhD programs in physics and some engineering physics programs
• Test difficulty: Covers the full undergraduate physics curriculum including quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics

Psychology

• Approximately 205 questions in 2 hours 50 minutes
• Tests biological bases of behavior (17%), learning and language (15%), cognitive psychology (17%), social psychology (12%), clinical and abnormal psychology (15%), developmental psychology (12%), and measurement/methodology (12%)
• Required or recommended by many clinical psychology PhD programs and some research psychology programs
• Test difficulty: Broad coverage of the entire psychology undergraduate curriculum

Chemistry

• Approximately 130 questions in 2 hours 50 minutes
• Tests analytical chemistry (15%), inorganic chemistry (25%), organic chemistry (30%), and physical chemistry (30%)
• Required or recommended by some chemistry PhD programs, particularly those at top-20 universities
• Test difficulty: Covers all four major branches of chemistry at the undergraduate level

ETS periodically discontinues Subject Tests based on demand. The Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology test and the Literature in English test were discontinued in 2021 and have not been reinstated. Always check the current availability on the ETS website.

Which Programs Require Subject Tests?

The requirement varies significantly by discipline and program:

Mathematics and Statistics PhD

• Most top-30 math PhD programs require or strongly recommend the Math Subject Test
• Many statistics PhD programs recommend but do not require the Math Subject Test
• Applied mathematics programs are more likely to accept the general GRE alone
• Typical competitive score: 800+ (approximately 75th percentile or higher)

Physics PhD

• Many top-50 physics PhD programs require or strongly recommend the Physics Subject Test
• Some programs have moved to 'recommended but not required' or fully optional since 2020
• Typical competitive score: 800+ (approximately 70th percentile or higher)

Psychology PhD (Clinical)

• Clinical psychology PhD programs are among the most competitive graduate programs in the US (acceptance rates as low as 2-5%)
• Many top clinical programs require or recommend the Psychology Subject Test
• Research psychology programs are less likely to require it
• Typical competitive score: 700+ for top-20 programs

Chemistry PhD

• Fewer chemistry programs require the Subject Test compared to math and physics
• Some top programs (MIT, Caltech, Stanford) recommend it but do not require it
• Typical competitive score: 750+ for top-20 programs

How to Prepare for GRE Subject Tests

Preparation for Subject Tests is fundamentally different from general GRE preparation because they test specific academic knowledge:

1. Review your undergraduate coursework — Subject Tests cover the full undergraduate curriculum in the relevant field. Start by reviewing course notes, textbooks, and assignments from your major courses

2. Identify knowledge gaps — Take a practice test (ETS provides one free practice test per Subject Test on their website). Score yourself and identify which topics you missed the most

3. Use the right study materials — Standard undergraduate textbooks are the best preparation. For Math: use calculus, linear algebra, abstract algebra, and real analysis textbooks. For Physics: use Halliday/Resnick or Griffiths. For Psychology: use an introductory psychology textbook covering all major areas

4. Practice the guessing penalty — Unlike the general GRE, Subject Tests penalize wrong answers. This means you should guess intelligently (eliminate 1-2 wrong answers first) but leave questions completely blank if you have no idea — random guessing among 5 choices has a negative expected value

5. Time yourself rigorously — 2 hours 50 minutes sounds generous, but the question volume is large. Practice completing sections within time limits

6. Study for 6-8 weeks — Subject Tests require substantial content review. A 6-8 week preparation period is typical for students who performed well in their undergraduate courses

Subject Test vs General GRE: Key Differences

• General GRE tests reasoning ability. Subject Tests test content knowledge in a specific field
• General GRE is computer-based and adaptive. Subject Tests are paper-based with fixed difficulty
• General GRE has no penalty for wrong answers. Subject Tests deduct 0.25 points per wrong answer
• General GRE is offered year-round. Subject Tests are offered only 3 times per year (September, October, April)
• General GRE scores are valid for 5 years. Subject Test scores are also valid for 5 years
• General GRE costs $220. Each Subject Test costs $150

Subject Test Scoring and Percentiles

Subject Test scores are reported on a 200-990 scale, but raw scores are calculated differently from the general GRE:

• Your raw score is the number of correct answers minus 0.25 times the number of incorrect answers. Blank answers do not affect your raw score
• The raw score is converted to the 200-990 scaled score using a conversion table that varies slightly by test administration
• Percentile rankings are calculated relative to other test-takers in the same subject over a multi-year period
• Percentile rankings matter more than scaled scores because different subjects have different score distributions. A 700 in Math might be a lower percentile than a 700 in Psychology because math test-takers tend to score higher on average

Competitive percentile targets by program tier:

• Top-10 programs: 80th percentile or higher (typically 800+ in Math, 780+ in Physics, 730+ in Psychology, 760+ in Chemistry)
• Top-25 programs: 65th percentile or higher
• Top-50 programs: 50th percentile or higher
• Check your target program's admissions data or contact the department directly for their typical admitted student percentile ranges

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a strong Subject Test compensate for a weak general GRE?

To some extent, yes. Programs that require the Subject Test often weight it heavily — in some math and physics programs, the Subject Test score matters more than the general GRE Quant score. However, a very weak general GRE (below program thresholds) can still hurt your application even with a perfect Subject Test score. Aim to be competitive on both. For general GRE strategies, see our GRE Verbal Strategies and GRE Quantitative Techniques.

When should I take the Subject Test?

Most applicants take the Subject Test in September or October of their application year, since scores take approximately 4-6 weeks to arrive and most PhD application deadlines are in December. The April test date is useful for students applying to programs with later deadlines or for retaking after an unsatisfactory score.

Are Subject Tests going away?

There is no indication that ETS plans to discontinue the remaining four Subject Tests (Math, Physics, Psychology, Chemistry). However, the trend is toward making Subject Tests optional rather than required at many programs. Check your specific program's current requirements before committing to preparation. For the latest on GRE vs GMAT for business programs, see our GRE vs GMAT guide.

Prepare for the GRE (general or subject) with WitPrep's GRE Practice Hub. Verbal, quantitative, and vocabulary practice to complement your subject-specific preparation.

Key Takeaways

• GRE Subject Tests test undergraduate-level content knowledge in specific fields, unlike the general GRE which tests reasoning ability
• Four subjects are available in 2026: Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, and Chemistry — each with its own format and scoring scale (200-990)
• Math and Physics Subject Tests are most commonly required, primarily by top PhD programs — always check individual program requirements
• Subject Tests penalize wrong answers (unlike the general GRE), so leave questions blank if you cannot eliminate at least 1-2 answer choices
• Prepare for 6-8 weeks using undergraduate-level textbooks, starting with a diagnostic practice test to identify your weakest topics