With at-home testing as a valid option, taking the GRE is more flexible than ever before! The GRE is also frequently offered at various test centers throughout the world during many different time slots. But with all these choices, we understand that it can be overwhelming to select the best GRE test date.
Never fear, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to choosing the right GRE test date for you!
Table of Contents
- Where are You Taking the GRE? At Home or at a Test Center?
- When Should I Take the GRE in 2024?
- When to Take the GRE for Fall Application Deadlines
- When to Take the GRE for Spring Application Deadlines
- GRE Sign Up: How Do I Register for the GRE?
- GRE Registration Checklist
- How Do I Register for Taking the GRE at Home?
- How Do I Register for Taking the GRE at a Test Center?
- A Final Word: Other Factors to Consider When Choosing GRE Test Dates
Where are You Taking the GRE? At Home or at a Test Center?
Before choosing your GRE exam date, it’s important to understand your GRE testing options. You can either take the exam at home or at a test center.
Most importantly, no matter where you take it, the GRE test is exactly the same. Either way, you’ll see the same test content, in the same computer-based format. (Note: There is no longer a paper-based GRE option). Even the cost is the same. So, this choice is all about your personal preferences.
The main benefit of taking the GRE at home is convenience. You don’t have to commute anywhere, and you’ll be in a familiar environment. If that’s helpful or important to you, then this is the way to go. However, do make sure that both your equipment and environment meet all the requirements.
On the other hand, you might prefer a test center’s controlled setting. This is best if your home internet connection could be unstable or if you’re worried that your neighbor might decide that your test day is the best day to start a new rock band. Just remember to budget extra time both for traveling and for arriving early to the test center. And don’t forget to bring your ID!
Test Dates for Taking the GRE at Home
The great news here is that test dates and times for taking the GRE at home are available pretty much 24/7. Though you can’t sign up at the last minute, you’ll likely be able to register for a time of your choosing for the day after next. There are times available in the early morning all the way up to after midnight.
With that said, we recommend signing up sooner than just a day or two ahead of time. This way, you’re guaranteed a spot at your most ideal time. If you register a couple to a few weeks ahead of time, you’ll have your pick of almost any time slot.
Note that if you’re taking the GRE at Home in Mainland China, please see this link for additional information and procedures. Additionally, depending on which country you live in, you’ll want to create an account at ETS (the makers of the GRE) to confirm that at-home testing is available in your area.
Test Dates for Taking the GRE at a Test Center
There are many ETS-approved test centers (1000+ over 160+ countries). However, you may find your choices to be quite limited. If you live in a major city or near a university, there’s a higher chance of a test center being nearby. But it’s highly variable. You’ll need to search on the ETS website to see what your closest options are.
When taking the GRE at a test center, it’s essential to search well ahead of your desired test date. You may find that the “closest” option isn’t close at all (50+ miles away!). Likewise, available test dates are highly dependent upon your location. Some test centers offer the GRE almost daily, particularly in the summer. Others may only be open on Saturdays or sporadically throughout a given month.
You can generally find a test center with an open slot at least one month in advanced. But we highly recommend that you schedule your test date 3 or even 4 months in advance to ensure that you get a location and date that’s right for you. Because your options at test centers are more limited, this is not something you want left to chance!
Also, note that in China and Korea, the GRE is only available at test centers up to 3 times per month.
When Should I Take the GRE in 2024?
As a general rule, if you’re testing at a test center, you’ll want to register at least three to four months ahead. This is the best way to secure your preferred test center, date, and time. (Six months is even better if you’re aiming for a popular time.) If you’re testing from home, you have more flexibility—you can even take it ASAP if you need to!
When to Take the GRE for Fall Application Deadlines
| Winter | Spring/Summer | Fall |
|---|---|---|
| Study! | Take the GRE | Send applications |
For fall 2024 deadlines, the summer is a great time to both prep for and take the GRE. You have a ton of flexibility and enough time for 3 months of prep. And if you can start studying in the spring, then you have even more time to prepare.
When to Take the GRE for Spring Application Deadlines
| Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Study! | Take the GRE | Send applications |
For spring 2025 deadlines, aim to take the GRE towards the end of 2024. That allows you a good amount of time to prep and (most likely) time for at least one retake before your programs’ deadlines.
GRE Sign Up: How do I register for the GRE?
Now that you have a sense of when the GRE will be offered in 2024 and beyond, let’s take a closer, step-by-step look at how to register for the GRE. Registration steps will vary based on which form of the test you’re taking.
GRE Registration Checklist
- An ETS account (if you don’t have one yet, you can create one on ETS’s website. Also take a look at the detailed videos there that walk you through all the steps.)
- A method of payment for GRE fees
- Decide if you need to request GRE accommodations
- A passport or other form of accepted ID—we recommend passports as the most universally accepted GRE ID (and sometimes the only accepted GRE ID, depending on where you are)
- An idea of when grad school applications are due, to help determine your test date and prep plan. Varies by program and start date.
How Do I Register for Taking the GRE at Home?
If you opt to take the GRE at home, the registration process is pretty straightforward.
- First, this page from ETS outlines what you need to know about at-home testing. And for all the fine print and everything in great detail, you can check out the GRE Information Bulletin from ETS
- Next, you’ll need to confirm the equipment and environment requirements for taking the test online at home. This page covers everything you need to know from which operating systems and browsers are permissible to what your tabletop area should look like on testing day. Before you register you will want to test to make sure that your computer and testing room meet the requirements.
- Also, before you start, you’ll need your ID documents ready (ideally a passport, but you can read more about GRE ID requirements here). You will need to make sure you have an ETS account for the GRE, so if you don’t, you’ll need to create an account. The name on your account must match the name on your primary ID.
- If you need accommodations for a disability or a health-related need, you must request them before you register for a test.
- Then, after you’ve created an account, you’ll need to log in and on your My GRE Home page, select Register/Find Test Centers. On the “Find Test Centers and Dates” page, select the option for the test at home. If you’re eligible to take the test at home based on your address, you’ll be prompted to a “Test at home” option where you can begin your registration.
- After that, you’ll be prompted to verify your email address, select a test appointment, confirm your time zone, etc. Choose the 2-month window in which you’d like to test, then select an available time and date. Click “Register for this test” and then follow the directions as prompted.
- When you’re finished, you’ll receive a confirmation email from ETS with your test appointment information and the test link to launch your test at the time and date you selected. Keep this email for test day!
How Do I Register for Taking the GRE at a Test Center?
- First, this page from ETS outlines what you need to know about taking the GRE at a test center. And for all the fine print and everything in great detail, you can check out the GRE Information Bulletin from ETS
- Next, it’s good to have your ID documents at hand. We recommend a passport, but you can read more about GRE ID requirements here. Note that the name on your account must match the name on your primary ID.
- If you already have an ETS account, go ahead and log in. Otherwise, you’ll need to create an account first. Once you’re logged in, on the first page you see, under the heading “My Tests,” you can click the link that reads: “Register/Find Test Centers, Dates.”
- Next, enter your search criteria. First, you’ll want to select which test to take (GRE General Test). Then, enter your location.
- Beneath that, scroll through to the two-month window you’ve selected for testing. (If you haven’t narrowed it down that far yet, you’ll need to do multiple searches).
- From there, you should see a screen that shows two months’ worth of dates. The test dates with a circle are the ones where testing is available in or near the city you’ve selected.
- Once again, the issue here is the GRE website’s definition of “near.” A site that is “near” you by GRE standards may be a fairly long commute from your actual location. And sometimes only one inconveniently distant test site is available on a given date. Even if you live in a fairly big city, you may find a very limited number of truly workable testing dates. Ideally, you should book the GRE at a test center well in advance so that the testing dates and locations that work best for you are more likely to be open.
- Once you’ve selected your test date and location, you’ll arrive at the “Before You Register for a Test” screen. There, you need to accept the terms to move forward. This is also the last point at which you can request accommodations before registering, so make sure you click through there if you need to.
A Final Word: Other Factors to Consider When Choosing GRE Test Dates
Now that you know which GRE exam dates are available and how to register for the GRE, keep in mind these additional factors.
How Much Does it Cost to Register for the GRE?
Taking the GRE can be pricey! It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the cost of taking the GRE as you prepare to choose your testing date.
Can I Take a Paper Version of the GRE?
No. Though the GRE used to be delivered in a paper format in the past, that’s no longer the case. Nowadays, you can only take the GRE on a computer (learn more about computer-adaptive testing). This is true whether you take the GRE at home or at a test center.
Can I Reschedule My GRE Exam Date?
Yes, you can reschedule your GRE test date to another time. To avoid losing the fees you’ve already paid, you’ll need to reschedule at least four full days before your testing date. (Note: If you’re in Mainland China, the requirement is at least 10 days.) It’s easiest to reschedule directly through your ETS account. See the GRE Information Bulletin for alternative options and more information.
Can I Cancel My GRE Registration?
Yes, you can cancel the GRE exam that you’ve registered for, but you’ll likely only get a partial refund at best. To receive back half the fee that you paid, you’ll need to cancel at least four full days before your testing date. (Note: If you’re in Mainland China, the requirement is at least 10 days.) For ETS’s refund policy as well as specific details based on your location, see the GRE Information Bulletin.
Final Things to Consider
- How does your personal life fit in with your prep and possible test date? What work, family, stress levels, and other considerations are you dealing with?
- Is the GRE absolutely needed for my application? A growing list of graduate schools are waiving the GRE for 2024.
- If you need to retake the test, when could you do that and still have your scores ready in time for your application deadlines? (Remember that after your GRE test date, it takes 8-10 days for ETS to send out score reports. If you decide to retake it, you’ll need to wait 21 days to do so.)
- Have you started to prep? Are you happy with the general direction the prep is going? As you start to prepare for your GRE exam date, here are a few resources that can support you:
- GRE study schedules
- This complete guide to the GRE
- To start a self-study plan today, sign up for an affordable, premium Magoosh GRE prep subscription.
Happy studying and good luck!
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