Many individuals are curious about GRE test dates. The GRE does not have specific scheduled dates. The exam is given year-round.
The biggest decisions you will have to make in regards to testing are:
- Where / How You Want to Test
- When You Want to Test
If you want to practice before scheduling your exam, take our GRE practice test.
GRE Dates and Options
You will be able to take the exam whenever you want (for the most part). There are no set dates like with the ACT or SAT. The GRE is offered year-round.
You will have 2 options when it comes to taking the exam:
- Testing Center
- Online at Home
The option is 100% up to you. Some individuals prefer to take the exam at a testing center, while others prefer to take the exam from the comfort of their home.
If you take the exam online at home, you will be able to schedule your exam 24/7. Testing centers have a little less flexibility, but typically offer times 7 days per week.
Requirements for the GRE
The requirements to take the GRE are fairly straightforward:
- Be 17 Years of Age or Older
- Have a High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Pay the Test Fee
- Meet the Equipment Requirements if Taking the Exam at Home
In addition, you can only take the exam once every 21 days, and a max of 5 times in a 12-month period.
Registration for the GRE
If you’ve already decided to take the GRE, the next step is to register. So how do you do that?
It depends on how you will be taking the GRE. We will review the process for both options.
Online at Home Option
You will need to follow these steps to register for the GRE if you will be taking the exam online at home:
- See if you meet the equipment requirements to take the exam at home.
- Create an ETS account.
- Log in to your ETS account and register for a GRE test date. You can do so by using this link – make sure the “Test From Home” button is checked.
- You will confirm your at home test date and follow the instructions.
- You will receive a confirmation email from ETS.
Online Via Testing Center Option
You will need to follow these steps to register for the GRE if you will be taking the exam online at a testing center:
- Create an ETS account.
- Log in to your ETS account and register for a GRE test date. You can do so by using this link to find a testing center.
- Enter in your criteria like location and how far away you are willing to travel.
- View the different GRE exam dates and find one that works for you.
- Select your desired date.
- You will be taken to a final screen to confirm – you will need to request any accommodations on this page if needed.
- Receive a confirmation email.
When Should I Register for the GRE?
When it comes to registration, the rule of thumb is that you can’t register for the GRE too early. The earlier you register, the more likely you are to find test availability on the day you want.
You can register up to a year in advance, so if you’ve got your heart set on a particular graduate program, register right away.
On the other hand, maybe you’re not sure about your career or academic direction. Perhaps you’re waiting to see if a particular job offer shakes out, and graduate school is your backup option.
If that is the case, no worries. If you opt to take the exam online at home, you can take the exam within 24 hours of registering if you want.
When Should I Take the GRE?
When you should take the GRE is entirely up to you. There are a ton of GRE dates offered, so that should not be an issue.
Some factors you should consider are:
- When Your Application is Due: Make sure your exam results will get to the school before the application deadline. Remember that even with the online test, it can take 8-10 days to receive your official score report.
- Having the Ability to Retest: If you do poorly, you may want to re-take the test, which requires a wait of 21 days. This can put you in a bind. Look at your school’s application deadline, and plan accordingly.
It is best to not rush into a GRE test date. You will need time to study and prepare. You can use our free GRE practice test to prepare and make sure you are ready.
The test results are good for up to five years.
If you’re planning to enter grad school in the spring, one option is to give yourself until the end of the year, so you’ll have as much time as possible to prepare.
That said, you might want to take the GRE in the fall instead of winter. This way, you’ll have plenty of time to retake the test if you’re not happy with your score.
Cancelling or Rescheduling Your GRE
You will be able to reschedule your test date for the GRE. However, it will cost you $50.
If you need to cancel, you will be able to do so. However, if you cancel with less than 4-days notice, you will not get any of your money back. If you cancel with 4+ days notice, you will get half of your money back.
It makes a lot more financial sense to reschedule your exam versus cancelling (if possible).
How Much Does the GRE Cost?
The cost for the standard administration of the GRE general test is $220 for most areas. The standard cost for the GRE subject tests are $150 worldwide.
Additional fees are required for items such as:
- Cancelling
- Rescheduling
- Changing Your Test Center or Changing Your Subject Test
These additional fees are typically between $25 and $50.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there set test dates for the GRE?
The GRE is not like the ACT or SAT with only a couple of testing dates offered. If you are taking the GRE online at home, you can take the exam 24/7.
If you are taking the exam online at a testing center, you will be a little more limited on availability, but there are still a ton of testing dates and time available – there should not be any issues with not being able to find a GRE exam date.
Can you take the GRE online?
Yes, the GRE is primarily offered online. You can take the exam online at home or online at a testing center. If you decide to take the exam online at home, you will need to make sure you meet the system requirements and have the proper equipment.
Can you retake the GRE?
You can retake the GRE once every 21 days. However, you can only take the exam a maximum of 5 times in a 12-month period.
