A student's admission to the University is not determined by his or her scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). However, official scores on the General Test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) are required and duly considered as part of an applicant's supporting admissibility credentials. All prospective students are strongly urged, therefore, to take the GRE several weeks (e.g., eight or more) in advance of filing their applications for admission. The GRE, which is now computer-based, is administered at least five times during an academic year (October, December, February, April, and June). For test applications and further information about the GRE (i.e., exact dates and places where it may be taken), applicants should write to the Educational Testing Service, P.O. Box 6000, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6000, or to the Howard University Office of Counseling and Career Development, Washington, DC 20059. It is the prospective student's responsibility to take the GRE and have ETS send an official report of test scores to the Howard University Office of Admissions, Washington, DC 20059. The University's code number is 5297.

During their first semester in residence, all entering students must take the Proficiency Examination in Expository Writing (PEEW). Students who fail this examination (i.e., score below 80) must enroll in a program of study for the development of satisfactory expository writing skills.