Graduate Entrance Exam Testing Alternatives

In response to closed testing sites due to COVID-19, many CSULB graduate programs are waiving the GRE exam as an entrance requirement. Please check with your Department Graduate Advisor to see if GRE or other standardized testing is required for Fall 2021 applications.

Note that many standardized testing companies are working to provide alternatives for in-person testing to minimize health risks. Below is a compiled list of testing agencies providing alternatives to in-person testing:

CBEST and CSET: Where state and local regulations and guidance permit, the California-based Pearson VUE-owned test centers (PPCs) have reopened for California Educator Credentialing Assessments. Test centers are open, and seats are available throughout the State of California. Note that test centers are enforcing social distancing recommendations, and therefore test center capacity will be decreased. For more information, visit the California Educator Credentialing Assessments website.

GMAT: Most of our global network of test centers is currently open, many operating at lower capacity to support social distancing requirements. Test centers that are open have deployed enhanced health and safety measures including enhanced cleaning procedures, available hand sanitizer, and face masks may be required. Check the US Testing Center update page for up-to-date information. The GMAT™ Online exam appointments have been extended through December 31, 2020, are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The test will offer a comparable structure, time, and scoring as the exam delivered in the test centers. The Quant, Verbal and IR sections (no AWA section) will have the same number of items and the same time for completion. This will allow us to maintain the same score scale for both the Section Scores and Total Score. For details, visit the MBA GMAT or GMAC website.

GRE: The GRE® General Test at home is here to stay and is now a continuing part of the GRE portfolio of products. Test takers now have the option to test at home or at a center. Centers continue to reopen worldwide. For details, visit the ETS website. 

LSAT: The Law School Admission Council is offering an online, remotely proctored version of the LSAT, called the LSAT-Flex. Given the continuing COVID-19 emergency, we are providing the online LSAT-Flex in August, October, and November. These LSAT-Flex exams are being offered in place of the in-person LSATs scheduled for August 29, October 3, and November 14 in the U.S. and Canada and the in-person international LSAT scheduled for October 4 and 10. All candidates who had previously registered for the August, October, and November in-person LSAT administrations will be automatically registered to take the corresponding LSAT-Flex exam, unless they choose to opt out and receive a coupon which can be applied to any future LSAT until April 2021. For more information, visit the LSAC website.

MCAT: MCAT Registration for 2021 will open for January and March test dates on November 10 at noon (ET). All MCAT rescheduling fees are being waived so test takers can adjust their test date to accommodate their preparation and health and safety needs. Strict health and safety protocols will continue to be in place when testing resumes in January. For details, visit the MCAT website.

TOEFL: The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is available worldwide, everywhere that TOEFL testing is normally available, except Mainland China and Iran. Test centers are reopening in mainland China and Iran, as well as many other countries. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition will remain a standard testing option for test takers for the foreseeable future, along with testing at a test center. For details, visit the ETS website.