The GRE General Test is the admissions test that many master's, PhD, MBA and law programs ask for. ETS runs it, and it takes about 1 hour 58 minutes. This guide covers the format, Quant syllabus, scores, 2026 fees, ID rules for India and China, registration and a prep plan.
Key takeaways
- The GRE General Test has five sections: one essay, two Verbal and two Quant. It takes about 1 hour 58 minutes, with no breaks.
- The test is section-adaptive. How you do on the first Verbal and Quant sections sets how hard the second ones are.
- From 1 August 2026, the fee is $249 in most countries, including India, and $237.86 in Mainland China.
- Scores last 5 years. You can test once every 21 days, up to 5 times in any rolling 12-month period.
- Quant uses school maths up to a second course in algebra. There is no trigonometry or calculus.
What is the GRE General Test?
Quick answer: The GRE General Test is a computer-delivered admissions test run by ETS. It checks verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing. These skills are not tied to one subject. ETS says it is accepted at thousands of graduate, business and law schools worldwide. You can take it year-round, at a center or at home.
ETS's tagline is "One test for graduate, business and law school". ETS also says schools use GRE scores for scholarship and fellowship decisions. See the ETS GRE General Test page.
Who uses GRE scores?
Three main groups use the GRE:
- Graduate programs. Master's and PhD programs in many fields. For research careers, see how to become a scientist, how to become a mathematician and how to become an engineer.
- Business schools. ETS says "over 1,300 business schools" accept GRE scores.
- Law schools. ETS says "100+ ABA-approved law schools" accept GRE scores. It points to the American Bar Association's ruling that the GRE is valid for law school admissions.
Aiming for data science? Read how to become a data scientist. Medical school uses a different test: see our MCAT 2027 guide. Indian students weighing an MBA at home can compare our CAT 2026 exam guide. Always check each program's own page, because not every program requires the GRE.
What is the GRE format in 2026?
ETS shortened the test on 22 September 2023. The current GRE format looks like this:
| Section | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 1 "Analyze an Issue" task | 30 min |
| Verbal Reasoning, section 1 | 12 | 18 min |
| Verbal Reasoning, section 2 | 15 | 23 min |
| Quantitative Reasoning, section 1 | 12 | 21 min |
| Quantitative Reasoning, section 2 | 15 | 26 min |
| Total | 54 + 1 essay | About 1 h 58 min |
The shorter GRE General Test at a glance.
The 30-minute essay comes first. Then come two Verbal and two Quant sections. That is 27 Verbal and 27 Quant questions, plus one essay, in about 1 hour 58 minutes.
Key rules from the official test structure page:
- Order. Analytical Writing is always first. Verbal and Quant can then come in any order.
- No breaks. At a center, the clock keeps running if you take an unscheduled break. At home, unscheduled breaks are not allowed.
- Moving around. Inside a section you can skip, use "Mark" and "Review", and change answers.
- Calculator. A basic on-screen calculator is given for Quant.
How does the section-adaptive GRE work?
The GRE adapts by section, not by question. Your first Verbal section and first Quant section are of average difficulty. How well you do there sets the difficulty of your second section in that measure. Your score uses the number of correct answers across both sections and how hard each section was.
So the first section of each measure matters a lot. Work carefully there.
What is on the GRE Quant syllabus?
ETS says the maths is "generally no higher than a second course in algebra". There is no trigonometry or calculus. Here are the four content areas from the ETS Quantitative Reasoning page:
| Area | Main topics |
|---|---|
| Arithmetic | Integers, primes, remainders, exponents and roots, percent, ratio, rate, absolute value, decimals, sequences |
| Algebra | Factoring, functions, equations and inequalities, linear and quadratic equations, simultaneous equations, word problems, coordinate geometry |
| Geometry | Lines and angles, circles, triangles (including 30-60-90), polygons, similar figures, 3-D figures, area, volume, Pythagorean theorem. No proofs |
| Data analysis | Mean, median, standard deviation, quartiles, graphs, probability, normal distribution, combinations, permutations, Venn diagrams. No inferential statistics |
What are the GRE Quant question types?
There are four types:
- Quantitative Comparison. You compare Quantity A and Quantity B. The four choices are always: A is greater, B is greater, they are equal, or it cannot be determined.
- Multiple choice, select one answer.
- Multiple choice, select one or more answers.
- Numeric Entry. You type an integer or decimal, or a fraction in two boxes.
In Data Interpretation sets, several questions share one table or graph. Remember two ETS rules: figures are "not necessarily drawn to scale", and all numbers are real numbers.
Worked example 1: which is bigger, 3^4 or 4^3?
Quantity A is 3^4. Quantity B is 4^3. Which is greater?
Work out both quantities, then compare.
Step 1. Quantity A: 3^4 = 3 x 3 x 3 x 3 = 81. Step 2. Quantity B: 4^3 = 4 x 4 x 4 = 64. Step 3. Compare: 81 is greater than 64. Answer: Quantity A is greater.
Worked example 2: up 25%, then down 20%
A price of 80 goes up 25%. Then the new price goes down 20%. What is the net change?
Percent changes multiply; they do not add.
Start: the price is 80. Up 25%: 80 x 1.25 = 100. Down 20%: 100 x 0.80 = 80. The net change is 0%, not +5%.
ETS offers a free Math Review PDF and Khan Academy videos for these topics.
What is on the Verbal and Analytical Writing sections?
Verbal Reasoning has 27 questions in two sections (18 and 23 minutes). It is scored 130 to 170. For question types and sample questions, check the official Verbal Reasoning page.
Analytical Writing is one "Analyze an Issue" task in 30 minutes. You type in a basic ETS word processor. It has no spellchecker or grammar checker. Good news: ETS publishes the entire Issue topic pool on the Analytical Writing page, so you can practise with real prompts.
How is the GRE score calculated?
| Measure | Scale |
|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 130–170, 1-point steps |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 130–170, 1-point steps |
| Analytical Writing | 0–6, half-point steps |
If you answer no questions in a measure, you get "NS" (No Score) for it. Essays are scored holistically, including by ETS's e-rater engine.
When do you see scores? Unofficial Verbal and Quant scores show on screen at the end of the test. Official scores, including the essay, reach your ETS account 8–10 days after the test. Schools get them at the same time.
How long are GRE scores valid? Five years from the test date. For example, a test taken on 3 July 2022 is reportable through 2 July 2027.
What is a good GRE score? It depends on the program. Check each program's page and the ETS interpretive data linked from the understanding scores page.
How does ScoreSelect work?
- On test day, you can send free reports to up to 4 schools. Choose "Most Recent" or "All" scores, or send none.
- Later, extra reports cost $40 each. For these you can choose "Most Recent", "All" or "Any" test from the last 5 years.
- Schools see only the scores you send. They see no sign of other tests.
- Some programs ask for all scores.
You can cancel scores at the end of the test and reinstate them within 60 days for $50. Details are on the ETS send scores page.
When can you take the GRE?
The General Test runs year-round. There are no fixed "GRE exam dates" each month. At-home slots are often open as early as the next day.
Retake rules:
- Once every 21 days.
- Up to 5 times in any rolling 12-month period (365 days).
- Tests with canceled scores still count. Missed or canceled appointments do not.
Reschedule or cancel: do it at least 4 days before the test (10 days in Mainland China). Canceling in time refunds half the test fee. Later than that, you get no refund. No-shows lose the fee.
When are the GRE Subject Tests in 2026–27?
Subject Tests are separate. Only Mathematics, Physics and Psychology are offered. They cost $199, are scored 200–990, and run in set windows:
| Testing window | Score reporting date |
|---|---|
| 14–27 Sep 2026 | 5 Oct 2026 |
| 19 Oct – 1 Nov 2026 | 9 Nov 2026 |
| 19 Apr – 2 May 2027 | 10 May 2027 |
You can take a Subject Test once every 14 days.
How much does the GRE cost in 2026?
These GRE fees are from the ETS fees page, effective 1 August 2026. ETS says they can change without notice.
| Item | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| General Test, most countries including India | $249 |
| General Test, Mainland China | $237.86 |
| Reschedule | $55 ($55.43 in China) |
| Change test center | $55 |
| Extra score report (each) | $40 |
| Subject Test | $199 |
Main GRE fees, as listed by ETS.
The General Test costs $249 in most countries, including India. It costs $237.86 in Mainland China. Rescheduling costs $55, and each extra score report costs $40.
Extra charges to expect:
- Tax. In some countries, such as the US, Canada, Australia and the EU, tax may be added at checkout.
- Service fee. The 2026–27 GRE Bulletin says the final charge includes a non-refundable 4% online service fee.
- Rupee prices. ETS lists fees only in US dollars. Rupee figures on other sites are not official.
You can pay by card (including RuPay Global and UnionPay), PayPal or Alipay+. Fee reduction vouchers ($100 test) work only for testing in the US and some US territories, not India or China.
Want a study plan built around your test date? Book a free demo class with an Asymptode mentor.
Should you take the GRE at home or at a test center?
ETS says the at-home test is identical in content and format to the center test. ETS India says scoring and acceptance are the same too.
| Test center | At home | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | More than 1,000 locations worldwide (Prometric) | Your own private room |
| When | Year-round, first-come, first-served | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
| Proctor | At the center | Live human proctor online |
| Best if | Your internet or room is unreliable | You want an early date and have a quiet room |
At-home must-haves, from the at-home testing page:
- A desktop or laptop (Windows or macOS 11+), one screen, no tablets or Chromebooks.
- The ETS Secure Browser and a passed Equipment Check.
- Speakers, a microphone (no headsets) and a webcam, plus a second camera such as a phone on a stand.
- ID verification at least 72 hours before.
- A private room, alone, with notes on a whiteboard or transparency sheet only.
If you fail these on test day, you get no refund and no free reschedule. Test takers in Mainland China must use takethegre.cn for at-home testing.
At a center: arrive at least 30 minutes early for photo and ID checks. Only your ID and an optional mask go into the room.
What ID do you need for the GRE?
Your ID must be original, physical, government-issued and valid. It needs your photo and signature. Your first and last name must match your registration exactly (accents aside). Photocopies, expired IDs and IDs on a phone are not accepted. See the ETS ID requirements page.
- India: a passport is the only primary ID listed. The Aadhaar card is not accepted.
- China: Mainland residents need a valid Second Generation National Resident ID. Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau residents use a Travel Permit to China. Outside China, bring a passport. If it is not in English letters, add an English supplemental ID.
- United States: US citizens can use a passport, driver's licence (not mobile), state ID and some others. Non-US citizens need a passport.
- Testing abroad: if you test outside your country of citizenship, you need a passport, with no exceptions.
How do you register for the GRE?
- Check the ID rules above.
- Create or log in to your ETS account. Use your name exactly as on your ID.
- Select "Register/Find Test Centers".
- Choose the GRE General Test.
- Choose at home or a test center.
- Pick a 2-month search window.
- Pick a date.
- Click "Register for this test".
- Pay. A confirmation email follows.
Register online at least 2 calendar days before the test, or by phone at least 2 business days before. At-home tests must be booked online. In Mainland China, test-center registration goes through an NEEA account. In India, payment details are on the ETS India GRE site.
Need accommodations, such as extra time? Get approval before you register. ETS's review takes about 6 weeks.
How should you prepare for the GRE?
Start with a free official practice test. ETS offers two free POWERPREP Online tests: Test 1 is untimed, Test 2 is timed. Extra POWERPREP PLUS tests cost $44.95 each.
What does a 12-week GRE plan look like?
| Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Take POWERPREP Test 1. List weak Quant topics. Review arithmetic: percent, ratio, exponents |
| 3–5 | Algebra and geometry. Learn each Quantitative Comparison pattern |
| 6–7 | Data analysis and probability. Practise Data Interpretation sets |
| 8–9 | Mixed timed sections. Write two Issue essays a week from the ETS pool |
| 10–11 | POWERPREP Test 2, timed. Fix your error log and first-section pacing |
| 12 | Light review, check ID, test your setup if testing at home |
What if you only have 8 weeks?
| Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Diagnostic test. Rank topics by weakness |
| 2–4 | Weakest Quant areas first, plus daily Verbal practice |
| 5–6 | Timed mixed sections and one essay a week |
| 7 | Full timed practice test and error review |
| 8 | Light review, ID check, rest before test day |
What are common GRE mistakes?
- Adding percent changes instead of multiplying them.
- Trusting a figure that is "not necessarily drawn to scale".
- Rushing the first section, which sets the second section's difficulty.
- Picking "cannot be determined" too fast in Quantitative Comparison. Test a few numbers first.
- Registering with a name that does not match your passport.
How 1-on-1 tutoring helps with the GRE General Test
- One dedicated mentor, live online 1-on-1. Your Asymptode mentor plans around your test date and target programs.
- Method-first Quant. The mentor watches each step of your working on percent, algebra, geometry and data analysis. Errors are caught where they start.
- Honest help with Verbal and writing. Asymptode is a maths and science tutoring service. For Verbal and the Issue essay, your mentor helps with planning, pacing and practice routines, not expert Verbal coaching.
- Homework and records. Personalised homework with feedback, short parent updates, and every class recorded. Start with a free demo class.
Facts checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.
FAQ
Is the GRE General Test hard?
It depends on your background. Quant stops at a second course in algebra. The challenge is often speed and traps, not new content.
Can Indian students use an Aadhaar card for the GRE?
No. ETS explicitly lists the Aadhaar card as not acceptable. For test takers in India, a passport is the only primary ID listed.
How much is the GRE fee in India in 2026?
ETS lists $249 for India, the same as most countries. ETS shows fees only in US dollars, so rupee figures on other sites are not official. The Bulletin says a 4% online service fee is added to the final charge.
Is the GRE at home accepted the same as the center test?
ETS says the at-home test is identical in content and format. ETS India says scoring and acceptance are the same as test-center sessions.
How many times can I take the GRE?
You can take the General Test once every 21 days, up to 5 times in any rolling 12-month period. This counts tests even if you canceled the scores. ScoreSelect lets you choose which scores schools see.
Does the GRE have an unscored section now?
The current ETS structure table lists no unscored or research section. Those footnotes apply only to the older, longer test from before September 2023. ETS does not state it in those exact words, so treat every section as if it counts.
Ready to start? Book a free demo class and advisor call, or see our plans and fees.
Sources
- ETS: GRE General Test overview
- ETS: GRE test structure
- ETS: Quantitative Reasoning
- ETS: Verbal Reasoning
- ETS: Analytical Writing
- ETS: Register for the GRE General Test
- ETS: GRE fees
- ETS: ID requirements
- ETS: At-home testing requirements
- ETS: Getting your scores
- ETS: Sending scores and ScoreSelect
- ETS: Understanding your scores
- ETS: POWERPREP
- GRE Information Bulletin 2026-27 (PDF)
- ETS India: GRE
- ETS: GRE for business schools
- ETS: GRE for law schools
Sources
- ETS: GRE General Test overview
- ETS: GRE test structure
- ETS: Quantitative Reasoning
- ETS: Verbal Reasoning
- ETS: Analytical Writing
- ETS: Register for the GRE General Test
- ETS: GRE fees
- ETS: ID requirements
- ETS: At-home testing requirements
- ETS: Getting your scores
- ETS: Sending scores and ScoreSelect
- ETS: Understanding your scores
- ETS: POWERPREP
- GRE Information Bulletin 2026-27 (PDF)
- ETS India: GRE
- ETS: GRE for business schools
- ETS: GRE for law schools