GRE Exam 2026 Explained: Format, Fees, Eligibility & How It Actually Works

What is the GRE Exam?

GRE, or the Graduate Record Examination, is a form of aptitude test that is administered by ETS and is acknowledged by more than 20,000 institutes throughout the world in various subjects like MBA, business, law, etc., in total of 1,300+. The GRE exam duration is 1 hour 58 minutes, and the cost is $220.

GRE Exam Highlights 2026 — Key Facts at a Glance

Latest GRE Updates 2026 — What Changed This Year

• A secondary camera is now required for the at-home GRE, alongside your primary webcam, to strengthen test-day security.
• There is no 10-minute break in the test anymore.
• The whole test duration is now less than 2 hours; thus, the test is 48% shorter than before. The total number of questions has been reduced to 55 questions across the three main sections.
• Additional Score Reports now cost $40 per university, up from the older $35 figure still quoted around the internet.
• ScoreSelect, the feature that lets you choose which scores to send, remains fully available.

Types of GRE Exam — General Test Vs Subject Test

Given that the GRE general test is designed to assess the overall readiness for graduate-level work across verbal, math and writing skills, the subject test is designed to evaluate deep knowledge in a particular field (Mathematics, physics or psychology).

• Who actually needs a Subject Test: Mainly candidates applying to physics, mathematics, or psychology programs, where there are a few research-oriented departments that require the submission of subject-based proof of expertise along with the General Test. In case there is no mention of Subject Test on your desired department’s website, you do not require it.
• How scores are used differently: Subject Test scores sit on their own scale and are read alongside your General Test score, not as a replacement for it, mainly to show depth in one discipline rather than general graduate readiness.

GRE Exam Eligibility — Who Can Take the GRE in 2026?

ETS sets almost no restrictions on who can register. That's actually one of the GRE's biggest advantages over more rigid exams: no nationality restriction, no field-of-study requirement, and no fixed application window.

• No age limit. Students and working professionals alike can register.
• No mandatory degree requirement, since it is a graduate-level test; it is intended for those who have finished their undergraduate degree.
• The Indian Prometric test centres accept nothing but the valid passport of the candidate as the ID proof for taking the test. Other IDs like the Aadhaar card, PAN card, and Driving licence are not accepted, even for the test to be taken at home.
• The name in the registration form should exactly match the name in the passport. Any inconsistency will lead to disqualification on the check-in day.
• Your passport needs to be valid till the date of the test and not just the registration period.

GRE Exam Pattern 2026 — Sections, Questions & Duration

The GRE exam pattern includes three sections with 55 questions, testing the core skills required for success in graduate-level education.

Section-Level Breakdown

1. Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA): You need to write only one "Analyze an Issue" essay. You will be provided with a statement, and you have to express your point of view regarding that. For this purpose, you get a total of 30 minutes.
2. Quantitative Reasoning: This math test consists of two sections. In Section 1, there are 12 questions in 21 minutes, and in Section 2, there are 15 questions in 26 minutes. The type of question is multiple choice, quantitative comparison involving the following topics Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, and Data Analysis.
3. Verbal Reasoning: The reading and vocabulary test also contains two sections. The first section contains 12 questions (18 minutes), while the second section consists of 15 questions (23 minutes). The questions involve text completion, sentence equivalence, and reading comprehension.

GRE Syllabus 2026 — Topic-wise Breakdown

The GRE consists of 55 questions divided into three parts. It is important for test takers to be aware of the main subjects covered in each part so that they can prepare well. Here is a quick snapshot of GRE exam syllabus for test takers in 2026.

GRE Exam Fees 2026 — Total Cost in USD & INR India-specific

The GRE exam fees for 2026 stay at $220 globally, which is increasing to $249 on Aug 1, 2026 with India-specific pricing landing slightly higher once local taxes and service charges apply.

Recommended total budget for Indian students: Around ₹28,000-32,000, accounting for registration plus at least one round of additional score reports, since most students end up sending scores beyond the four free reports included at registration.

GRE Registration 2026 — Step-by-Step Process

1. Sign up for the ETS website and create your profile by filling in all the required information correctly.
2. Select your desired test date and test center, or opt for the online option if you like.
3. Pay the registration fees. Indian candidates have an additional option of paying via UPI, apart from credit or debit card payments.
4. Make sure that the name on your profile exactly matches that on your passport, as it’s one of the most frequent and completely preventable mistakes made by Indian candidates.
5. Change your test date if required, at least four days prior to the test date, to save yourself from losing your entire registration fees.

Working with the right study abroad consultants will help you schedule your GRE registration according to your application deadlines.

GRE Scores Explained — How Is the GRE Scored?

The GRE entrance exam has distinct scoring processes for each section. Familiarising yourself with the score range and the scoring process will allow you to analyse your scores better.

Verbal and Quantitative Sections

• Scale: Both scales range between 130 and 170, measured in one-point increments. The mean score for both is around 150.
• Scoring method: Both of these sections are adaptive at the section level, meaning that initially a raw score will be determined by how many questions you get right, and then the computer will take this into account to determine the difficulty level of your second section.
• The "Scale": Equating takes the difficulty level of your second section into account when determining your scaled score.

Analytical Writing Section

• Scale: The score range will go from 0 to 6 in increments of half a point.
• Scoring method: You are supposed to write one essay titled "Analyse an Issue", and it will be evaluated based on grammar, spelling, and structure of the essay through the use of human raters and a computerised scoring system called e-rater. If the two evaluations do not match each other, then another human rater is used. 

What is a good GRE score? — Program-wise requirements

A good GRE score depends on the program and institution to which you’re applying. Below are some GRE scores that are seen as competitive within certain academic disciplines.

ScoreSelect — Can you hide a bad GRE score from Universities?

Yes, in most cases. With ScoreSelect, you can choose to report the scores for a specific test date; hence, even if the first test was not well done, it will not haunt you anymore.

However, there is an exception. There are some very competitive programs where you must report all the scores for all the test dates taken. So, be sure to verify this requirement for your program of interest through the admissions page of their website.

GRE vs GMAT — Which Should Indian Students Choose in 2026?

In case you have not yet made up your mind whether to go for MS or MBA, then this is what choosing between GRE vs GMAT will amount to:

• Go for GRE in case you want flexibility and compatibility with MS and MBA applications.
• However, go for GMAT if you are certain about attending a selected MBA program that mandates GMAT.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the full form of GRE?

GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination. It's a standardised test run by ETS, used for admission into master's, MBA, and PhD programs at thousands of universities worldwide, primarily in the US, Canada, and parts of Europe.

2. What is the GRE exam fee in India in 2026?

The GRE General Test costs $220 globally, which translates to approximately ₹22,000-23,500 in India depending on taxes and service charges. Always confirm the exact rupee amount on the ETS India website before paying.

3. How many times can I take the GRE exam?

You can retake the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times within any rolling 12-month period. ETS data shows around 70% of retakers improve their scores, so a second attempt is often worthwhile.

4. How long is the GRE exam and how long are scores valid?

The GRE General Test takes about 1 hour 58 minutes to complete. Your scores remain valid for 5 years from your test date, giving you flexibility in when you apply to programs.

5. What is a good GRE score for Indian students applying abroad?

It depends on your target program. Most competitive MS programs expect 310-320+, top MBA programs look for 315-320, and PhD programs often expect 325 or higher, combining Verbal and Quant.

6. What GRE score is required for MIT, Stanford, and Harvard?

These universities don't publish a fixed minimum, but competitive applicants typically score 325 or higher combined. Always check each department's specific admitted-student profile, since requirements vary significantly by program.

7. Is GRE harder than GMAT?

Neither is objectively harder; they test different skills. GRE leans more on vocabulary and general reasoning, while GMAT focuses more heavily on data sufficiency and business-style logic. Your natural strengths should guide the choice.

8. Should Indian students take the GRE or GMAT in 2026?

Take the GRE if you're applying to MS programs or want to keep MBA options open too. Take the GMAT only if you're committed exclusively to a small set of top-ranked MBA programs that prefer it.

9. Which universities in the USA do not require GRE in 2026?

Many universities, including several in the University of California system, have made the GRE optional or removed it for select programs. Always verify current-year policy directly on each program's admissions page, since this shifts often.

10. Is GRE required for PhD programs?

It varies by department. Many PhD programs, especially in the sciences, still require or recommend the GRE General Test, and some add a Subject Test in fields like Physics, Mathematics, or Psychology.