GRE Exam2026 Guide

Your guide to GRE eligibility, registration, fees, syllabus, exam pattern, scoring, preparation and requirements for graduate study abroad.

Registration Fee

$249 / approximately ₹24,008 in India

Score Validity

5 years

Overview of the GRE Exam

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination), administered by ETS, is a standardised test used for admission to graduate, business and law programmes. It assesses Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing.

Global Reach

GRE scores are accepted by 20,000+ graduate, business and law programmes worldwide.

Score Validity

GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the test date.

GRE Exam - 2026 Highlights

Key facts about the GRE General Test, its format, fee, purpose and score validity.

Conducted By

Educational Testing Service (ETS)

Exam Purpose

Graduate, business and law programme admissions

Key takeaway

The GRE General Test takes approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes and includes Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and one Analyse an Issue essay task.

What is the GRE Exam?Graduate admissions test

The GRE General Test evaluates verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing skills. It is computer-delivered at authorised test centres or, where available, remotely from home.

GRE General Test at a glance

The test is used for master's, PhD, business and selected professional programme admissions.

GRE scores remain valid for 5 years.

Test Duration

Approximately 1 hour 58 minutes

Main test sections

Verbal Reasoning

27 questions

Reading comprehension, text completion, sentence equivalence and vocabulary in context.

Quantitative Reasoning

27 questions

Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis and quantitative reasoning.

Analytical Writing

The current General Test includes one 30-minute Analyse an Issue essay task.

Types of - GRE Exams

The two primary types described in the source are the GRE General Test and GRE Subject Tests.

GRE General Test

Measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing skills for broad graduate admissions.

General

GRE Subject Tests

Assesses knowledge in disciplines such as Mathematics, Physics and Psychology.

Subject-specific

GRE Exam Eligibility

ETS does not specify age or minimum academic-mark requirements for taking the GRE; check the requirements of your chosen programme.

Educational qualification

A bachelor's degree is generally recommended before taking the GRE.

Age and marks

There is no specific age limit or ETS minimum academic-mark requirement.

Identification

Indian test-takers generally need a valid passport; confirm current ETS ID requirements.

GRE Exam - Pattern 2026

The GRE General Test takes approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes, with two Verbal sections, two Quantitative sections and one Analytical Writing task.

Analytical Writing

Duration

30 minutes

Questions / tasks

1 Analyse an Issue task

Assesses critical thinking, argument development and analytical writing.

Verbal Reasoning

Duration

41 minutes total; 27 questions across two sections

Assesses reading comprehension, vocabulary and verbal reasoning.

Quantitative Reasoning

Duration

47 minutes total; 27 questions across two sections

Covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis and quantitative reasoning.

Detailed Syllabus Breakdown

The source outlines Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning topics.

Subject

Details

Issue analysis and written expression

Develop and support a position on an issue, build coherent arguments, examine ideas critically and present them clearly.

Issue Analysis

Develop and support a position on a given issue.

Critical Thinking

Examine ideas and identify strengths and weaknesses.

Reading comprehension and word use

Understand written material, analyse relationships and interpret words in academic contexts.

Reading Comprehension

Understand main ideas, details, arguments and inferences.

Text Completion

Use context and reasoning to complete sentences.

Sentence Equivalence

Select words that create similar sentence meanings.

Core mathematics and data analysis

Apply fundamental mathematical concepts, solve problems and interpret quantitative relationships.

Arithmetic and Algebra

Numbers, percentages, ratios, equations, inequalities and functions.

Geometry and Data Analysis

Lines, angles, triangles, circles, area, volume, statistics, probability, graphs and tables.

GRE Exam Dates 2026

The GRE General Test is offered throughout the year, subject to appointment availability at authorised centres and availability of at-home testing.

General Test

Dates can be selected during registration according to availability.

Date availability

The source lists anticipated windows of September 14–27, 2026; October 19–November 1, 2026; and April 19–May 2, 2027. Check ETS for current appointments.

GRE Exam Registration Process Step-by-Step

Register through the official ETS platform, select an appointment, enter your details, pay the fee and save the confirmation.

Step 1

Create an ETS account

Create or log in to your official ETS account.

Step 2

Select date and location

Choose an available date and a test centre or eligible at-home option.

Step 3

Complete booking

Enter your details as shown on your ID, pay the applicable fee and save the appointment confirmation.

Documents Required

Carry valid identification and appointment details; check ETS requirements for your test location.

Valid passport or acceptable government-issued ID

ETS registration confirmation and test appointment details

Identification reminder

Ensure your identification details match your registration information to avoid delays on test day.

GRE Score Explanation

Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning are each scored from 130–170; Analytical Writing is scored from 0–6.

What is a good GRE score?

The source describes a total score of 318–330 out of 340 as a generally good GRE score.

Verbal / Quantitative

130–170

Analytical Writing

0–6

Score interpretation

Universities and programmes set their own admission requirements, so check each institution's criteria.

GRE score

Measure

130–170

Verbal Reasoning

Scored in one-point increments.

130–170

Quantitative Reasoning

Scored in one-point increments.

Ready to achieve your target score?

Prepare across all three measures and use timed practice to review your progress.

GRE Exam Results 2026 & Score Validity

GRE General Test scores are usually available in the ETS account 8–10 days after the test date.

Score availability

Usually 8–10 days after the test

Score report

Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing and percentile ranks

Score Validity

GRE General Test scores are reportable for 5 years after the test date. ETS ScoreSelect lets candidates choose which available scores to send.

Prepare for the GRE Exam

Prepare for Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing with official questions, mistake review and timed practice.

Use Official Materials

Practise with authentic GRE questions from ETS preparation resources.

Expert Preparation Strategy & Tips

Combine concept revision, regular practice, timed sections and detailed error analysis.

Reading & Writing

Learn vocabulary and use context to understand word meanings.
Analyse passages, identify main ideas and practise the Issue essay within the allotted time.

Mathematics

Review arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics, probability, graphs and data interpretation.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Manage time carefully and review your reasoning during practice.

Spending too long on individual questions during timed sections.

Neglecting Analytical Writing practice before test day.

Destinations toStudy Abroad With GRE Exam

GRE scores may be considered by graduate schools worldwide; requirements vary by university and programme.

Country / Destination	Typical GRE score range
United States	310–330+
United Kingdom	300–325+

Other destinations in the source

The source also lists Canada (310–325+), Australia (300–320+), Germany (300–320+) and Singapore (315–330+). These are typical ranges only; check each institution's current requirements.

GRE Exam Exam Centers - in India

Authorised GRE test centres are available across 20+ cities in India, subject to appointment availability. Choose a location while registering through ETS.

India-wide test centres

At-home testing