GRE Registration 2026: How to Register, Test Dates and Rules
Key Takeaways
- You register for the GRE General Test online through a free ETS account, for a test centre or the at-home test; test centres can also be booked by phone in most locations.
- There are no fixed GRE test dates: the General Test runs year-round, and you must book at least 2 calendar days ahead online or 2 business days ahead by phone.
- You can take the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times in any rolling 12 months; missed or cancelled appointments do not count.
- ETS lists the fee at US$249 outside China from 1 August 2026 and sends test takers in India to the ETS India website for India's fee.
- Reschedule (US$55) or cancel at least four days before the test; cancelling then refunds half the fee, but not if you paid with a third-party voucher.
Table of Contents
You register for the GRE General Test online through a free ETS account: choose a test centre or the at-home test, pick a date and pay the test fee. There are no fixed GRE test dates, because the test runs year-round. You can take it once every 21 days, up to five times in any 12 months.
Every rule on this page comes from ETS’s GRE registration page and the GRE Information Bulletin 2026–27, checked 26 October 2026. We re-check them every quarter.
How do I register for the GRE?
- Create an ETS account. The Bulletin gives the address as www.ets.org/mygre. You use the same account to view, change or cancel your booking and, later, to see your scores.
- Choose how you will test: at one of more than 1,000 test centres worldwide, or at home with online proctoring. You can book a test centre online or, in most locations, by phone. The at-home test can only be booked online through your ETS account.
- Enter your name exactly as it appears on your ID. ETS says the first and last name you register with must match your ID document, or you may be turned away or have your scores cancelled.
- Pick a date and time from the seats shown for your location.
- Pay the test fee and keep the confirmation email. The fee includes sending your scores to up to four institutions.
When are the GRE test dates in 2026?
There are no fixed dates for the GRE General Test. ETS offers it year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, so you choose from the seats available in your area. The Subject Tests are different: they run only in set testing windows.
| Rule | What ETS says |
|---|---|
| When you can take the General Test | Year-round, first come, first served |
| Latest you can book online | At least 2 calendar days before your test date |
| Latest you can book by phone | At least 2 business days before your test date |
| How often you can test | Once every 21 days, up to 5 times in any rolling 12 months, even if you cancelled earlier scores |
| Missed or cancelled appointments | Do not count towards the 5-test limit or the 21-day wait |
| GRE Subject Test windows | 14–27 September 2026, 19 October–1 November 2026, 19 April–2 May 2027 |
Source: ETS GRE registration page and GRE Information Bulletin 2026–27, checked 26 October 2026.
Official scores reach your ETS account 8 to 10 days after the test, so book at least two weeks before the first application deadline you need to meet. Leave more room if you might want a second attempt, because of the 21-day gap. Popular test-centre slots fill first, so check seats early.
How much does the GRE cost?
ETS lists the GRE General Test at US$249 in every country except China, effective 1 August 2026 (ETS GRE fees page, checked 26 October 2026). That page sends test takers in India to the ETS India website for India’s fee and payment options. The Bulletin adds that the final charge includes a non-refundable 4% online service fee.
For the fee in rupees and every other GRE charge, see our GRE exam fees guide. If you are testing in India, you can also buy a GRE registration voucher through Galvanize and apply it when you pay.
What ID do I need for the GRE?
A valid passport is accepted as primary ID in your country of citizenship. With few exceptions, the ID you bring must be an original, unexpired, government-issued document with your name, photograph and signature. ETS says an Aadhaar card is not acceptable as primary or supplementary ID under any circumstances.
India is one of the countries with its own ID rules, so select India on the ETS ID requirements page before you book. For who can sit the test at all, see our GRE eligibility guide.
Can I reschedule or cancel my GRE?
| Change | Deadline | Cost or refund |
|---|---|---|
| Reschedule | At least 4 days before your test date (10 days in Mainland China), or you lose the test fee | US$55 rescheduling fee |
| Cancel | At least 4 days before your test date (10 days in Mainland China) | Half the test fee is refunded |
| Cancel later than that | Fewer than 4 days before, or on the day | No refund |
Source: GRE Information Bulletin 2026–27 and ETS GRE fees page, checked 26 October 2026.
Three more rules from the Bulletin are worth knowing before you pay:
- A rescheduled appointment cannot be more than one year after the original date.
- If you are testing in India, ETS says to check the refund terms on the ETS India website.
- ETS gives no refund on a registration paid for with a test registration voucher bought from a third party. Fee Reduction Program vouchers are the exception.
What happens after the test?
At the end of the test you choose whether to report or cancel your scores. If you report them, you see unofficial Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores straight away; Analytical Writing is scored later. Official scores are in your ETS account 8 to 10 days after your test date. Our GRE results guide explains how to view them and send them to universities.
Before you book, take our free GRE mock test to see how far you are from your target, then use the GRE score calculator to read your practice scores as percentiles. If you are planning a master’s abroad, our admission counselling team can help you fit your GRE date into your application timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register for the GRE?
Create a free ETS account, choose a test centre or the at-home test, pick a date and pay the fee. Test centres can also be booked by phone in most locations; the at-home test can only be booked online.
What are the GRE test dates for 2026?
The GRE General Test has no fixed dates. ETS offers it year-round on a first-come, first-served basis, and you choose a date from the seats available in your area.
How late can I register for the GRE?
The GRE Information Bulletin 2026-27 asks you to register at least two calendar days before your test date online, or at least two business days before if you register by phone.
How many times can I take the GRE?
Once every 21 days, up to five times within any rolling 12-month period, even if you cancelled your earlier scores.
Does a missed or cancelled GRE appointment count towards the limit?
No. ETS says a missed or cancelled appointment does not count towards the five-test limit and does not start the 21-day waiting period.
How much does the GRE cost?
ETS lists the GRE General Test at US$249 in every country except China, effective 1 August 2026. Test takers in India are directed to the ETS India website for the India fee, and the final charge includes a non-refundable 4% online service fee.
Is Aadhaar accepted as ID for the GRE?
No. ETS says an Aadhaar card is not acceptable as primary or supplementary ID under any circumstances. A valid passport is accepted; check the India section of the ETS ID requirements page before you book.
Can I reschedule my GRE test?
Yes, at least four days before your test date (10 days in Mainland China), for a fee of US$55. After that you lose the test fee. The new date cannot be more than a year after the original one.
Do I get a refund if I cancel the GRE?
If you cancel at least four days before your test date (10 days in Mainland China), ETS refunds half the test fee. Test takers in India should check the India refund terms on the ETS India website, and ETS gives no refund on a registration paid for with a voucher bought from a third party.
When are the GRE Subject Test dates?
Subject Tests run only in testing windows. The GRE Information Bulletin 2026-27 lists 14 to 27 September 2026, 19 October to 1 November 2026, and 19 April to 2 May 2027.
When do GRE scores come out?
You see unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores at the end of the test. Official scores, including Analytical Writing, are in your ETS account 8 to 10 days after the test.
