Dec 13, 2024
The Graduate Record Examination can be compared to the starting line of a marathon for graduate school aspirants. Just as runners prepare themselves mentally and physically before a race, you must gear up by understanding the exam’s structure, registration process, and key details.
The GRE is a key factor in shaping your academic journey, providing access to renowned universities worldwide. But before you step into the exam hall, it's essential to know when and where the exam is conducted, how to register, and the fees involved. In this article, we’ll walk through these important aspects to ensure you can take GRE exam confidently in 2025.
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GRE scores play an important role in helping universities assess your readiness for graduate programs. These scores are widely accepted by institutions around the world and are used for a variety of purposes. Here's how GRE scores are applicable.
Graduate Program Admissions: Universities use GRE Exam scores to evaluate students for Master’s, MBA, and PhD programs.
Global Acceptance: GRE scores are accepted by thousands of universities worldwide, in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, European and Asian countries.
Scholarship Opportunities: Many global universities consider GRE scores for awarding scholarships to deserving students.
Internship/Job Applications: In some cases, GRE scores can be used when applying for internships or jobs that require strong analytical and reasoning skills.
GRE scores are a flexible and widely recognized measure that can open doors to academic and career opportunities globally. With this let us first understand the types of GRE and its test format.
There are two main types of GRE: the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test. Each serves a distinct purpose depending on the requirements of the programs you’re applying to. Below we have given the test format for each.
The GRE General Test measures your general academic abilities, including verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. It is the most widely accepted test for admission to graduate programs worldwide.
Analytical Writing
Verbal Reasoning (Two Sections)
Quantitative Reasoning (Two Sections)
Let us now shift gears and understand the second type and its format.
The GRE Subject Test focuses on specific subjects, providing a more detailed assessment of knowledge in fields like Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Psychology. These tests are ideal for applying to specialized graduate programs that require subject-specific expertise.
Test Format
Subjects: Calculus, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics
Subjects: Biological, Cognitive, Social, Developmental, Clinical, and Measurement
Subjects: Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Optics, Wave Phenomena, Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics Statistical Mechanics, Special Relativity, Laboratory Methods, and Specialised Topics.
Duration: 2 hours and 50 minutes
Now that we have covered the types of GRE exams, let’s explore the eligibility criteria to ensure you meet the necessary requirements.
To register for the GRE exam, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:
Having a clear understanding of the eligibility criteria ensures you are well-prepared for the registration process. So, let’s delve into the steps needed to sign up for your GRE exam.
To register for the GRE Exam, follow these simple steps:
Once you are familiar with the eligibility criteria, the next step is to select your test centre and exam dates. Understanding where and when you can take the GRE Test is crucial for effective planning and preparation, so let us look at the exam centres and the dates.
If we talk about India there are 24 States and Union Territories that conduct GRE tests. For your better understanding, we have mentioned the centres in the table below.
| Exam Centres | |||
| Gujarat | Chandigarh | Kerala | Rajasthan |
| Uttar Pradesh | Delhi | West Bengal | Punjab |
| Assam | Uttarakhand | Punjab | Jharkhand |
| Karnataka | Goa | Maharashtra | Bihar |
| Madhya Pradesh | Haryana | Telangana | Chhattisgarh |
| Tamil Nadu | Jammu and Kashmir | Jharkhand | Andhra Pradesh |
As there are numerous test centres available, we've highlighted the exam dates for some of the most popular locations in the table below for your convenience.
| Months | Delhi | Chennai | Mumbai |
| January 2025 | 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31 | 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 | 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31 |
| February 2025 | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27 | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 |
| March 2025 | 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30 | 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 13, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 31 | 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30 |
| April 2025 | 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30 | 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 | 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30 |
With the exam dates and popular test centres identified, let’s now discuss the fees associated with registering for the GRE.
When planning to take the GRE, it’s important to be aware of the associated fees, which can vary by location. Below is a bifurcation of the application fees for the GRE General and Subject Tests.
GRE General Test Fee by Location
GRE Subject Test
If you are a student from India, it's essential to understand not only the GRE application fees but also the additional costs that may arise. This includes various special handling fees that you need to budget.
In addition to the standard application fees, there are various special handling fees for specific changes or requests.
Understanding these fees will help you plan your budget effectively as you prepare for the GRE. Next, we will explore the option of taking the GRE at Home, providing flexibility for your testing experience.
The GRE at Home test allows you to take the GRE General Test in the comfort of your home, ensuring a similar experience to that of a test centre. This option is available 24/7 and is monitored by human proctors through ProctorU, maintaining the integrity of the testing process.
Key Requirements for GRE Exam at Home
If you need to make changes to your testing plans, here’s what you should know about rescheduling or cancelling your GRE test.
If unforeseen circumstances prevent you from taking the GRE test, you can reschedule your exam up to four days before your scheduled test date. The process is straightforward and involves a fee of $50 to initiate the rescheduling. To give you clarity of thought, below we have mentioned the steps to reschedule the GRE.
If you decide not to take the GRE, you can cancel your exam through the following steps:
The rescheduling fee is $50 which is ₹4,197, and you can cancel at least four days in advance for a full refund or receive a 50% refund for later cancellations.
As we have covered most of the information about the GRE Exam, why not seek assistance from a top GRE Coaching academy?
At KC Academy, we provide seamless test preparation techniques designed to help you reach the scores required for admission into your dream university. Here’s how we make that happen.
Top-Quality Test Prep Material: Gain access to high-quality resources that cover every aspect of the GRE.
Engaging Online Content: Our interactive audio and video lessons make learning engaging and effective, allowing you to grasp complex concepts easily.
Rich Database of Practice Questions: Our extensive question bank ensures you have ample practice to prepare for all sections of the GRE.
Customized Comprehensive Program: Our 110-hour program is tailored to help you master every concept tested on the GRE, ensuring a thorough understanding of the material.
Experienced Faculty: Learn from seasoned instructors who provide comprehensive study material and conceptual learning through engaging classroom presentations.
Test-Taking Strategies: Take the benefit from expert tips and strategies designed to help you excel, along with a dedicated test series covering both Verbal and Quantitative sections.
Computer Adaptive Mock Tests: Prepare for the GRE with our adaptive mock tests, simulating the practical experience you'll encounter on test day.
Besides this, we also offer university and course selection, visa processing, scholarship guidance, loan assistance and much more. We have in person GRE classes in Nagpur, Amravati, Sambhajinagar and other tier 1 and tier 2 cities as well. You can avail the benefit of our online coaching as well from anywhere across India or outside India. So, join us and take the first step towards achieving a high GRE score.
Answer: The GRE test scores are valid for five years from the test date, allowing ample time for graduate school applications.
Answer: The best time to take the GRE Exam is usually 3-6 months before your application deadlines. This provides ample time for preparation and any possible retakes.
Answer: A good GRE score for each section is generally considered to be 158 or higher for Verbal, 159 or higher for Quantitative, and 4.5 or higher for Analytical Writing. An overall score of 318 or above places you in the 75th percentile or higher.
Answer: The GRE and GMAT tests cater to different skill sets, so the perceived difficulty varies by individual. Generally, the GRE is considered more flexible, while the GMAT may require stronger logical and critical reasoning skills.
Answer: You should invest about 2-3 months of focused study, dedicating around 10-15 hours per week. However, the exact time can vary based on your starting skill level and target score.