Graduate Record Examination Application Process 2026
Graduate Record Examination Application Process
GRE Registration 2026
GRE registration is done online through the official ETS website. ETS is the conducting body for the exam.
Candidates must create an account on the ETS GRE website. The account allows checking availability for preferred test dates and centers.
No document is required at the time of registration. However, a valid Indian passport must be physically presented at the test center on the test day. A digital copy of the passport is not accepted.
GRE Exam Fees in India 2026
The GRE exam fee in India for 2026 is INR 22,550 for the General Test. The fee for Subject Tests is INR 17,818.
Taxes are added at the time of payment.
| Test Type | Fee in India (2026) |
|---|---|
| General Test | INR 22,550 |
| Subject Tests | INR 17,818 |
GRE Test Dates 2026
The GRE test can be taken both at test centers and at home. Test dates are available throughout the year.
For the test center-delivered exam, there are 15-20 dates available per month. The at-home test is available almost every day.
Candidates should book a test at least 2-3 months in advance. Slots fill up quickly, especially during university application deadlines and holidays.
GRE Test Centers in India
Test centers are available across India. Candidates can select their preferred center during online registration.
Availability of centers depends on the date range selected. The registration portal shows the list of available test dates and centers after the exam mode is chosen.
GRE Eligibility
The source does not specify any formal eligibility criteria for the GRE. Registration is done online through the official ETS website.
A valid Indian passport is mandatory for presenting at the test center on the test day.
How to Apply for GRE
Follow these steps to register for the GRE online:
- Go to the official ETS GRE India website and click on "Register for GRE."
- Sign in or create an account if you do not already have one.
- After signing in, click on "Register Now."
- Select the test as "GRE General Test" and choose your exam mode (test center or at-home). You can also select the date range to check availability.
- View the list of available test dates and centers. Select your preferred date, center, and time slot, and click on "Register."
- Check your test details and read and acknowledge all the policies.
- Verify your personal information. Make sure the name you have entered exactly matches that on your passport.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During GRE Registration
The source does not list specific common mistakes. However, one key point is that the name entered during registration must exactly match the name on the passport.
The passport must be physically presented at the test center on the test day. A digital copy is not accepted.
FAQs
The source does not provide specific frequently asked questions. Registration is done online, and no document is required at the time of registration.
The GRE exam fee in India for 2026 is INR 22,550 for the General Test and INR 17,818 for Subject Tests. Taxes are added at the time of payment.
GRE Registration Steps 8 to 12
Step 8 asks the candidate to accept or reject sharing information with ETS partners. This sharing is for admissions, scholarships, fellowships, or other educational opportunities.
Step 9 requires answering mandatory background information. This includes country of residence, current study level, and intended study level.
Step 10 displays a list of official prep materials available for purchase. These include practice tests and books.
Step 11 is the review and payment stage. Review all details carefully before making the payment.
Use valid payment methods and enable international transactions on the card. If the first payment attempt fails, a returned payment fee of INR 2,900 applies on the second attempt.
Valid payment methods:
- Credit card
- Debit card
- PayPal
- Other ETS-approved methods
Step 12 confirms the registration. An email with test details is sent to the candidate. The same information is also accessible anytime from the ETS GRE account.
Important Tips for Indian Students
- Book the test only after full preparation. Rescheduling costs INR 5,000 and cancellations get only 50% refund.
- Check whether target universities require the GRE before registering. Many universities, especially in the US, have become test-optional. Standardized tests are either optional, waived, or not required. A strong score can still strengthen the overall application.
GRE Exam Fee in India for 2026
The GRE exam fee in India for 2026 is INR 23,452, including taxes.
ETS mentions the GRE exam fee as INR 22,550. During registration, the base fee is seen to be INR 19,110.17. A tax of INR 3,577.42 is added to this, taking the payable amount to INR 23,452 for the General Test.
GRE Exam Dates in India 2026
The GRE General Test is available throughout the year. There are around 15-20 dates per month.
The Subject Tests are only available 3 times a year. These are held in September, October, and April.
The dates mentioned are taken from the GRE scheduling website for Hyderabad. Dates might differ while registering and for different cities. Check the ETS GRE Scheduler Tool for accurate dates.
GRE Test Centers in India 2026
There are numerous GRE test centers spread across more than 40 cities in India. Some of them are listed below.
| City | City |
|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | Hyderabad |
| Bengaluru | Jaipur |
| Chennai | Kolkata |
| Delhi | Mumbai |
| Pune | Kochi |
GRE Exam Centers in India
The GRE exam is held at designated Prometric test centers across India. Below is a list of some of the main test center locations and their addresses.
| City | GRE Exam Center Address |
|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | Prometric Testing Private Limited - 8902 5th Floor, Unit 501, Parshwanath Esquare, Prahaladnagar Corporate Road, Prahaladnagar, Satellite, Ahmedabad-3800051 |
| Allahabad | IPEM, 119/25A Mahatama Gandhi Marg, Civil Lines, Allahabad 211001 |
| Bangalore | Prometric Testing Private Limited, 3rd Floor, Tower B, Prestige Shanti Niketan, Whitefield, ITPL Road, South Taluk, Bangalore |
| Chennai | Prometric Testing Private Limited Unit #8,3rd Floor, Centennial Square, No 6A, Dr Ambedkar Road, Kodambakkam, Chennai |
| Chandigarh | Saint Kabir Public School, Sector 26, Computer Lab, Chandigarh |
| Coimbatore | Ancons International #15, Sethuram Bldg, Ground Floor, Sundaresa Layout, Lane adj IOB Race Course Branch, Trichy Road, Coimbatore |
| Gurgaon | Prometric Testing Private Limited, Iris Tech Park, 2nd Floor, Tower A, Sector 48, Sohna Road, Gurgaon |
| Hyderabad | Prometric Testing Private Limited - ITII020A 9th Floor, Unit -2, Kapil Towers IT Block, Survey No 115/1, IT Park, Opposite ICICI Bank Building, Nanakramguda, Serilingampaly, Mandal, Gachibowli, Hyderabad |
| Kolkata | Indexpo Corporation, Binary House – 2, Circus Market Place, 2nd Near Our Lady Queen Of The Missions School, (Park Circus 7 point crossing), Calcutta |
| Mysore | Exuberant Technologies Private Limited #19, Block No 8, Diya Complex, Dr. Rajkumar Road, JSS Layout, Mysore |
Tips for Indian Students
- Test centers in metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata fill up quickly, especially during holidays. Register for the test at least 2-3 months in advance.
- Many students prefer test centers in India due to fewer technical risks, like glitches, proctor interruptions, test cancellations due to background noise, or power cut issues.
GRE Exam Eligibility 2026
The Graduate Record Examination is meant for students who want to pursue Master’s programs abroad. There are no eligibility criteria like age limit or educational qualifications.
The exam is mainly taken by college graduates or students currently pursuing undergraduate studies. Since GRE scores remain valid for 5 years, you can take it at least in your 1st year of college, excluding re-attempts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Registering for the GRE Exam 2026
Many students make simple registration mistakes that can lead to extra fees, rescheduling issues, or test-day problems. Here are the most common ones:
- Name Doesn't Match Passport: Your registered name must exactly match your passport. Even small differences can cause entry issues. Check your passport details carefully before submitting.
- Booking Too Late: Popular test dates and centers fill up quickly, especially before admission deadlines. Register 2-3 months in advance.
- Payment Problems: International card payments may sometimes fail, leading to delays or additional charges. Enable international transactions and save payment receipts.
- Choosing the Wrong Test Option: Selecting the wrong test mode, date, or location can be costly to change later. Review all details before making the payment.
- Not Meeting ID Requirements: Only a valid, unexpired passport is accepted for GRE registration and test-day identification. Verify your passport is valid before booking.
- Missing Free Score Reports: You can send scores to up to four universities for free during registration. Keep your university list ready.
- Technical Issues: Browser errors or interrupted sessions can cause registration problems. Use a stable internet connection and complete the process in one sitting.
Pro Tip: Save screenshots of your registration confirmation and payment receipt for future reference.
GRE Registration Overview
GRE registration in 2026 is done online through the official ETS website. Candidates should carefully review fees, policies, and ID requirements before booking.
Test slots fill quickly and rescheduling involves additional costs, so planning your test date in advance is important. As many universities have made the GRE optional, checking individual program requirements before registering can help avoid unnecessary expenses.
FAQs
Ques. Can I use my Aadhaar card for GRE registration?
Ans. No. The Aadhaar card is not accepted as a valid ID for the GRE in India. Only a valid passport is accepted at the test center.
Ques. How many times can I register for the GRE exam?
Ans. You can take the GRE once every 21 days. You can take it a maximum of 5 times in a rolling 12-month period.
Ques. Can I register for the GRE before getting my passport?
Ans. Yes, you can create an ETS account without a passport. However, you should have a valid passport before booking the test because your registration details must exactly match the passport you will carry on test day.
Ques. Can I change my test center after booking the GRE?
Ans. Yes, ETS allows changes to your test center if seats are available. However, you must make the change before the deadline and pay the applicable rescheduling fee.
Ques. Should Indian students take the GRE at home or at a test center?
Ans. Many Indian students prefer test centers because they reduce the risk of internet issues, power cuts, or proctoring interruptions. At-home testing offers convenience but requires a strict testing environment.
Ques. Can I send additional GRE score reports after the exam?
Ans. Yes, you can send scores to more universities even after the test. However, unlike the free score reports available during registration and on the test day, additional reports require a separate fee.
Ques. Is it better to register for the GRE before the final year of college?
Ans. Many students take the GRE during their second or third year because scores remain valid for five years. This helps avoid exam pressure during placement season or final-year studies.
Ques. Do universities prefer GRE test center scores over at-home scores?
Ans. No. ETS reports both scores in the same format, and universities generally do not distinguish between valid at-home and test-center GRE scores.