When planning your GRE study schedule, it’s helpful to know your GRE test dates options. Whether you are hoping to take the GRE this year or next, we’ve got your available in-person or at-home options as well as some tips on registering for and taking the GRE.
GRE General Test Dates for 2024 and Beyond
The GRE General Test is offered year-round, so you have the chance to choose a test date on your own terms. You will need to take your admissions deadline into account, as it generally takes 8-10 days for you to receive your results. There are two options when it comes to actually taking the test – in-person at a local testing center or from home.
Choosing Between In-Person or At-Home GRE
Because the General GRE test is taken in a digital format, it’s up to you if you decide to take the GRE on a computer at a designated testing site or from your own computer at home. If you want to take the test in-person, be sure to schedule the test decently early; seats often fill quickly as the test date approaches. There are, obviously, way more time slots available for those who are looking to take the home-based GRE – you can take the GRE as early as 6AM or as late as 11:40PM from the comfort of your own home. What a time to be alive!
When taking the GRE from your home, you’ll need to be sure that your testing room meets all the requirements set out by the GRE. There are specific equipment and environment requirements that you must meet when registering – all of which you can find here on the ETS website.
Students taking the GRE from overseas may also take the GRE from home but students taking the GRE General test from China will need to find more specific registration guidelines and requirements here.
Considerations When Choosing Your GRE Test Date
Please confirm that your scores for the GRE will be reported in time for your chosen program application deadline and that you will have ample time putting together your application! You will receive an email from the ETS within 8-10 days that your scores are available. From there, you should expect a few days time for the score report to make its way to the designated score recipients. Some recommend taking the GRE with at least 2 months to spare before the application deadline for your programs.
You should also consider taking the test early enough so that you may retake the test if you are not satisfied with your results. Keep in mind that you must wait twenty-one days before taking the test again.
How to Register for the GRE
You can register up to 2 days before taking the GRE at home or at a testing center (preferably earlier if you plan on taking it at a designated testing center before it fills up). You can easily register for the GRE General Test online at the ETS website (with the exception of those in Mainland China who must use this website).
Remember that if you plan on taking the GRE at home, you must meet their requirements including:
- Desktop or laptop computer
- Moveable camera
- Microphone
- Speaker
The at-home GRE is monitored by a human proctor through ProctorU.
How Many Times Can You Take the GRE?
You are allowed to take the GRE test once every twenty-one days. You are allowed to take the GRE up to five times within a 12-month period (not a calendar year). See more on GRE retakes here.
When to Take the GRE?
For those who plan to continue grad school immediately after undergrad, a general recommendation is to take the GRE in your junior or senior year of college. Although you could really take the GRE anytime in college (the GRE score lasts up to 5 years), it may still be best to get acclimated to college life and give yourself a bit more time to confirm that going to grad school is, indeed, what you want to do.
For those who are trying to get back into school, please keep in mind that studying for the GRE is a significant undertaking, and you should plan to take the exam on a date that allows you to study adequately in the months prior without burdening your work-life balance.
You can take the GRE in September or October for a Fall admissions deadline and in January or February for a spring admissions deadline. This timeline will give you the time to retake the GRE if you’re unhappy with your scores without being too concerned about missing your application deadline.
How Much Does the GRE General Test Cost?
- Globally: $220 USD
- Mainland China: $231.30
- India: $228
There are, of course, additional costs to any extra services you need outside of the bare minimum. The GRE will send 4 free score reports and any additional score reports are noted below:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| View Scores Online | Free |
| Print Official Examinee Score Report Online | Free |
| GRE Diagnostic Service (GRE General Test only) | Free |
| Additional Score Reports | $30 each |
| Question-and-Answer Review Service – For Verbal Reasoning & Quantitative Reasoning Sections (available only to NY State Residents) | $50 |
| Score Review for Analytical Writing measure | $60 |
| Score Reinstatement Fee | $50 |
What is the GRE Fee Waiver & Are You Eligible for it?
ETS offers a partial fee waiver for those who qualify. If you receive the GRE General Test fee waiver, your GRE fee will be reduced to $100. You will also receive free access to the following official GRE test prep materials:
- POWERPREP PLUS® Online Practice Test 1 ($40 value)
- POWERPREP PLUS® Online Practice Test 2 ($40 value)
- ScoreItNow!™ Online Writing Practice ($20 value)
To be eligible for the GRE Fee Waiver, you must show that you are in financial need, unemployed, or are part of a program for underrepresented youth – you can check eligibility guidelines HERE.
Rescheduling or Canceling the GRE Registration
To be refunded your full GRE registration fees, you must cancel your GRE with at least 4 days to spare before the test date. If you cancel with less than 4 days remaining, you can receive a 50% refund. If you do not cancel and do not show up for the GRE, then you will have lost the full price of the test.
For rescheduling your GRE – you still need at least 4 days until your GRE test date. You must choose a new date to take the GRE that is not longer than a year from the original test date.
Canceling and rescheduling can be done online in your ETS account or on the phone.
There are, of course, additional fees to rescheduling your GRE, (you can start to see a running theme here) so double check your new dates so you can avoid paying the ETS more than necessary:
| Special Handling Request | Fee |
|---|---|
| Rescheduling Fee – China | $53.90 |
| Rescheduling Fee – All other areas of the world | $50 |
| Changing your test center | $50 |
How Long Do GRE Scores Last?
Your GRE score is reportable for 5 years after your test date.
How to Study for the GRE?
Creating a study schedule that keeps you consistent is the main goal in preparing for and doing well on the GRE. Many students opt for a home study program using a GRE prep book or by enrolling in a designated GRE prep course.
Key Takeaways
- The GRE offers year-round testing, so you can find the best date that works for you
- Both the GRE test center and at-home test are taken digitally
- Avoid additional fees by planning in advance
