Which Graduate Schools Require the MAT?
Over 500 graduate programs require or accept the Miller Analogies Test. See which fields use MAT scores, what scores are required, and how the MAT compares to the GRE.
Many counseling psychology, school psychology, and general psychology master's programs accept MAT scores. Competitive programs typically require 400–450+. Some PhD programs in clinical psychology prefer GRE but accept MAT with a strong GPA.
Education is the largest single user of MAT scores. Teacher preparation, educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, and special education programs widely require or accept MAT results. Typical minimum: 380–410.
CACREP-accredited counseling programs frequently list the MAT as an acceptable admissions exam. Mental health counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling programs commonly use a 400 minimum.
MLIS programs at several ALA-accredited schools accept MAT scores. Library science values verbal reasoning and cultural knowledge — competencies directly measured by the MAT analogy format.
Some MSW programs accept the MAT, especially at institutions with large education colleges where the MAT is already processed for other departments. Score minimums typically range from 370–400.
A smaller number of MBA programs, particularly regional and part-time programs, accept MAT scores. These programs often provide a GRE-to-GMAT concordance table and apply a similar conversion for MAT percentiles.
Some MSN and health administration programs accept the MAT. Pearson's score recipient list includes nursing schools and public health departments, particularly at institutions with active education college partnerships.
Graduate humanities programs are less uniform, but some smaller MA programs in English, history, and philosophy accept MAT scores in lieu of GRE scores, especially at institutions where the education college has established MAT processing.
MAT vs GRE: Which Should You Take?
The decision between the MAT and GRE depends on three factors: what your target programs accept, your academic strengths, and test cost and availability.
- Choose the MAT if: Your target programs accept it, you have strong verbal reasoning and broad cultural knowledge, you want a shorter exam (60 minutes vs 3.5 hours), and you prefer to avoid quantitative sections. The MAT costs approximately $85 and is available at Pearson testing centers.
- Choose the GRE if: Your target programs require it exclusively, you are applying to STEM-adjacent programs, or you have strong math skills that can boost your composite score. The GRE General Test costs $220 and has a more complex structure.
- Both exams if: You are applying to programs that vary — some require GRE, others accept MAT. Some applicants take both and submit whichever score is stronger. GRE and MAT scores are not interchangeable on a raw-score basis, but programs that accept both typically use percentile concordance tables.
- Key structural difference: The GRE tests quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and analytical writing in separate scored sections. The MAT tests only analogical reasoning — no math section, no essay. For applicants whose strength is verbal and humanistic thinking, the MAT format is often a better fit.
- Score validity: Both MAT and GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the test date. If you took the MAT several years ago, check that your score will still be within the validity window when your application is reviewed.
