The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, is a standardized entrance exam used for admission to postgraduate programs in universities abroad. The exam is used to evaluate candidates’ suitability for MS, MA, and MBA programs. The GRE is of 2 types:
- GRE General Test: General test used for admission to most PG programs.
- GRE Subject Test: Specialized tests in 3 subjects, Physics, Maths, and Psychology.
You must check which test your target university and program requires, and register accordingly.
The GRE exam fee is INR 22,000 in India for the General test, and INR 14,500 for the Subject Tests. While the General test is available throughout the year, the Subject tests are available only in 3 time windows in a year: September, October, and April. The GRE has numerous test centers in India located in more than 40 cities. You also have the option to take the test at home.
In this guide, we’ll talk about everything you need to know about the GRE exam. The article will include details of the exam fees, pattern, syllabus, and more.
GRE Exam Highlights
The table below gives a brief overview of the GRE exam.
| Partculars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | GRE |
| Full Form | Graduate Record Examination |
| Official Website | https://www.ets.org/gre.html |
| Most Popular for | MS courses in the USA |
| Also Accepted for | MBA and MA programs abroad |
| Conducted By | ETS (Educational Testing Service) |
| Formats Available | Computer-delivered test |
| Fees | General Test: INR 22,000 Subject Tests: INR 14,500 |
| Score Range | 260-340 |
| Score Validity | 5 years |
GRE Exam Fee in India 2026
The table below provides a comprehensive breakdown of all fees associated with the GRE exam. It includes services such as registration and rescoring, among others.
| Exam Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| General Test Registration | INR 22,000 |
| Subject Test Registration | INR 14,500 |
| Rescheduling | INR 5,000 |
| Changing Test Center | INR 5,000 |
| Additional Score Report | INR 2,900 per report |
| Score Review | INR 5,900 |
| Score Reinstatement | INR 5,000 |
| Returned Payment | INR 2,900 |
Check
How to Reschedule Your GRE Test?What are the GRE fee payment methods in India?
You can pay using credit or debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Rupay, Maestro), or through UPI and Bharat QR apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, Amazon Pay, or WhatsApp. For international cards, Dynamic Currency Conversion is supported by Visa and MasterCard.
How to Register for the GRE Exam?
Given below is the step-by-step process for GRE registration.
- Create an account on the official ETS GRE website.
- Complete your profile by filling in all the required data, like name, date of birth, address, phone number, and communication preferences, correctly.
- Log in to the ETS portal with the newly created username and password.
- Choose the test type: General or Subject Test
- Choose your preferred test date and center. Make sure the chosen date does not clash with other important dates.
- Make the payment.
- You will receive an email confirming your registration.
Notes:
- You can also register via phone by calling 1-800-473-2255. All necessary information will be given over the call.
- For registration by mail, you have to download the application form and send it to the address below:
Prometric
2nd floor, DLF Infinity Tower A
Sector 25, Phase II
DLF City, Gurgaon,
Haryana 122002
India
Check the complete list of GRE Test Centers in India
Ques. How early should I register for the GRE?
Ans. It is recommended to register at least 2-3 months in advance to get your preferred date and center.
Ques. Can I edit my personal details after registration?
Ans. Some details can be edited, but name changes are restricted and must match your ID exactly.
GRE Exam Dates 2026
The GRE General Test is available throughout the year, with multiple dates a month. The Subject Tests, on the other hand, are available in only 3 months of a testing year: September, October, and April.
Check the full GRE exam calendar here
Ques. How many times can I take the GRE in a year?
Ans. You can take the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times in a rolling 12-month period.
Ques. Is there a best time of year to take the GRE?
Ans. There is no fixed best time; students usually plan it based on application deadlines.
GRE Exam Pattern 2026
The GRE exam pattern is divided into 3 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing, with a total duration of approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes. Below are the details:
| Section | Number of Questions | Duration | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | One "Analyze an Issue" task | 30 min | Topic will be given from this official GRE AWA Topic Pool. |
| Verbal Reasoning | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 18 min Section 2: 23 min | Reading comprehension, Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence |
| Quantitative Reasoning | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 21 min Section 2: 26 min | Geometry, Arithmetic, Algebra, Data Analysis |
Ques. Is there negative marking in the GRE?
Ans. No, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers in the GRE.
Ques. Are all GRE questions of the same difficulty?
Ans. No, the GRE uses section-level adaptive testing, where difficulty can vary based on performance.
GRE Scoring System 2026
The GRE score ranges from 260-340. Here’s how it is calculated:
- The verbal and quantitative sections are each scored on a scale of 130-170, with 1-point increments.
- Analytical writing is scored from 0 to 6 with half-point increments.
- The total score is the combination of verbal and quantitative scores, while the AWA score is reported separately.
Your unofficial GRE score will appear on the screen immediately after taking the test, while the AWA score will be published directly on the official score report. You will receive your official GRE score card about 8-10 days after the test.
GRE Sample Score Report: PDF
Ques. Can I cancel my GRE score after seeing it?
Ans. Yes, you can choose to cancel your scores at the test center before they are reported.
Ques. Do universities see all my GRE attempts?
Ans. No, ETS allows ScoreSelect, which lets you send only the scores you choose.
GRE Scores for Top Universities Abroad in 2026
While many universities abroad have become test-optional, students still submit their standardized test scores to make their application stand out. The table below gives a list of top universities abroad and the average GRE score submitted by admitted students.
| University | Average Verbal Score | Average Quant Score |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 164 | 164 |
| University of Chicago | 161 | 163 |
| Yale University | 163 | 166 |
| Columbia University | 163 | 163 |
| MIT | Not mentioned | 159-170 |
| Stanford University | 164 | 164 |
| University of Pennsylvania | 162 | 163 |
| Duke University | 164 | 164 |
Note: The above scores are taken from the class profile of the MBA Co’27 of the respective universities’ B-schools. Universities have different requirements for different programs. Therefore, you must carefully check the entry requirements of your target program.
Must Read
Which Universities Abroad Accept GRE Scores?Can a low GRE score be offset by other parts of the application?
Strong academics, work experience, SOPs, and recommendations can help balance a lower score. But, you are advised to achieve at least the average scores of the previous years’ class profiles.
GRE vs GMAT: Insights from Indian Students
Many Indian students compare GRE and GMAT based on percentile value, preparation effort, and how business schools view each test. Common student opinions include:
“A 99% on GRE can look better than a 96% on GMAT on paper.”
However, students also point out that percentiles should be interpreted carefully:
“A high GMAT percentile can stand out more because GMAT test takers are mostly MBA applicants, while GRE takers come from many different backgrounds.”
Another frequently discussed point is exam difficulty and preparation:
“GRE preparation resources are cheaper and the quant section feels easier compared to GMAT.”
At the same time, some applicants caution against comparing percentiles directly:
“A 93rd percentile GRE means you scored higher than many test takers who aren’t applying to business school. A 93rd percentile GMAT is against a smaller, MBA-focused group, which can be more indicative for MBA admissions.”
Source: Reddit
Both GRE and GMAT are accepted by top business schools. A very strong score on either test is valuable. Students are advised to choose the exam that best matches their strengths, budget, and target programs, rather than focusing only on which test is “better.”
GRE Preparation Tips
Here are a few GRE preparation tips to help you during your GRE preparations:
- Always keep calm and come back to the questions you couldn't solve in the end.
- Use GRE prep books and free practice papers.
- Get your hands on authentic study materials and practice papers.
- Taking GRE crash courses online will help you acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses.
- Hire a personal tutor to get regular feedback on the status of your GRE preparation.
- Know the details about the syllabus and pattern of the exam.
- Mix and match your preparation materials like prep books, videos, sample questions, and webinars.
- Taking mock tests regularly will help in effective preparation.
- Understand the contextual meaning of words in Verbal.
- A study plan will help you to prepare for the exam in a structured way.
- Reading different types of analytical non-fiction works will help candidates.
- Enroll yourself in top GRE coaching centers like Manya, Jamboree, and IMS.
The GRE is a standardized test used by universities abroad to assess applicants for postgraduate programs. Students should review the exam format, fees, and score requirements carefully before registering. The choice to take the GRE should be based on program requirements and individual preparation readiness.
FAQs
Ques. Is the GRE compulsory for all postgraduate programs abroad?
Ans. No, the GRE is not mandatory for all programs. Many universities have made it optional, but some courses or departments may still require it.
Ques. Can I use the same GRE score for multiple applications?
Ans. Yes, the same GRE score can be sent to multiple universities as long as it is within the 5-year validity period.
Ques. How many practice tests should I take before the GRE?
Ans. Most students take 4-6 full-length practice tests to build familiarity with timing and question types.
Ques. Are free practice tests enough for preparation?
Ans. Free tests are useful for basics, but you must use additional resources for deeper practice.
Ques. Are GRE fees refundable if I cancel my test?
Ans. Partial refunds may be available if you cancel within the allowed time frame, as per ETS rules.
Ques. Does ETS offer fee waivers in India?
Ans. ETS offers fee reduction vouchers in limited cases, usually through universities or official programs.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
Comments
Found 2 Comments
You can pay the GRE registration fee using a Credit/ Debit Card (American Express, Diners Club International, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Rupay Global, UnionPay, and Visa), PayPal, E-Check Service, Money Order/ Certified Check/ Voucher, etc. Any credit/ debit card branded with one of the seven accepted credit card logos can be processed.
Note: For registration, cash payments will not be accepted.
Yes, GRE is conducted in PBT mode. The paper-based exam includes two sub-sections of each of the main categories- Analytical Writing, Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning. The analytical Writing part contains two tasks with a duration of one hour (60 minutes). Verbal and Quantitative reasoning each contains two sections and 50 questions with a maximum time limit of 60 and 70 minutes, consequently.