The complete guide to GRE registration

GRE registration doesn’t need to be complicated, but there’s a lot of little details to consider. A bit of planning ahead can save you headache down the road. We’ve put together a complete guide of everything you need to need to know about registering for the GRE.

1. Prepare before registering

✅ Choose your preferred test schedule and mode of test.

ETS offers the computer-delivered test all year round and is on a first-come, first-serve basis based on their published seat availability within a two-month period. As for the paper-delivered version, test takers are required to choose a testing center before being provided with the center’s seat availability. The vast majority of students take the computer-delivered test.

✅ Prepare for the applicable test fees.

The standard test fee worldwide is $150, but fees also vary depending on location. There are also applicable Special Handling Services for fees related to late registration and test rescheduling. 

✅ Prepare the necessary ID requirements.

The registration process itself requires a proper identification provided by the test taker. A valid and acceptable ID must be provided with the first and last name clearly stated. The ID must be:

• Original and not photocopied or digitized
• Government-issued and legally recognized in the location where the test will be taken
• Valid and not yet expired
• Include first and last names
• Include a recent photograph
• Include a signature

The names should match those you provided during registration. In the event that the ID does not exactly match the name on the registration, you will not be permitted to test and your test fee will not be refunded.

✅ Be familiar with the test’s rescheduling and cancellation policies

If you didn’t realize how long to study for the GRE or some other reason, you may need to reschedule. The process of rescheduling or cancelling a test schedule is dependent on the test type availed:

• For computer-delivered test
  • Rescheduling can be done online based on a per location-specific information.
  • Reschedule must be done no later than four days before the original appointment or else the test fee will be forfeited
  • A fee will be charged for rescheduling
  • Appointments cannot be rescheduled beyond one year of the original appointment date.
  • The original appointment confirmation number and the full name used will be required when rescheduling online
• For paper-delivered test
  • Rescheduling the test date or changing test centers can be done either online through your ETS Account or by calling, faxing or writing GRE Services
  • Reschedule must be done no later than four days before the original appointment or else the test fee will be forfeited
  • The fee to reschedule a test registration is US$50.
  • Rescheduling is permitted in the same testing year (July 1–June 30).

2. Create an ETS Account 

You must create an ETS account to register for the GRE. Your ETS account will be used for registration purposes and also gives you the following features:

• Sign up for the free GRE Search Service
• View scores
• View, change or cancel registration
• Apply for and view approved testing accommodations
• Order additional score reports
• Access the free GRE Diagnostic Service
• Purchase test preparation materials from ETS
• The option to receive important notifications concerning your test and scores through text messages and email

By having an ETS Account, you get the most up-to-date test center information and helps you determine which graduate institutions or fellowship sponsors you want to receive your scores. As part of your test fee, you can designate up to four score recipients. If you prefer to send score reports later or want to send score reports to more than four recipients, you can send additional score reports for a fee.

Reminders on creating an ETS Account

• You can create an account at any time, regardless of whether or not you plan to register for a GRE test. 
• The name you use when you create your account will also be the name you use when you register for your GRE test
• Make sure that your first and last name exactly matches (excluding accents) the name printed on the identification (ID) documents that you will present on the day of your test. 
• If your names do not match, you may be prohibited from taking the test or your scores may be canceled.

How to create an ETS Account

✅ Step 1: Log in to ETS

The name you use when you create your ETS Account is the name that will be reflected on your GRE General Test registration. It must exactly match (excluding accents) the name printed on the identification, or ID documents that you will present on the day of the test (especially its spelling).

✅ Step 2: Create an Account

• On the ETS Account log in page, select the blue “Create an Account” button under “New Users.”
• Create a Test Taker Account

The ETS Account you are about to create will allow you to register for the GRE General Test, GRE Subject Tests and apply for testing accommodations. 

It will let you view, change or cancel your registration and purchase test preparation materials prior to test day. Then after test day, you will use your account to view your scores, order Additional Score Reports, access the FREE GRE Diagnostic Service, amongst many others. 

✅ Step 3: Fill out your Personal Information

• Fill out all required fields such as your entire last name, family or surname.
• Do not register under a nickname and do not register with only an initial as your first name.
• If you have a two-part last name, be sure to supply your complete last name as it appears on the ID documents (excluding accents). F
• Enter your phone information under Communications Preferences for text messages and special offer emails

✅ Step 4: Create Username and Password

• Create a personalized username and password 
• Select a security question from the drop down box and enter your answer
• Review the Terms and Conditions and then select the “I agree” box and then “Next.”

✅ Step 5: Review and Submit

• Review all filled up information and make sure everything is accurate. For any changes, just select the “Back” button. 
• Click “Submit” if everything is in order.
• You will receive a confirmation page and your account is set
• You can register to take the GRE General Test
• You will also receive an email confirmation 

3. Register for the GRE

✅ Step 1: Log in to ETS

• Log directly into the ETS Account you created at www.ets.org/mygre. 
• Enter your username and password in the “Returning Users” field or signing in for Test Takers

✅ Step 2: My GRE Home

• Users will be redirected to their My GRE home page which will show users their:
  • Registered full name
  • ETS ID number
• Select the blue “Register/Find Test Centers, Dates” button to continue
• Select the test (GRE General Test) you want to take from the drop down box

✅ Step 3: Select Date and Test Center

• Select your test date by sorting with the “By Date” or “By Distance” tabs
• If by Date:
  • Choose any of the dates highlighted in green in the calendar or scroll through the date options list and it will show all available times
  • Select the time you prefer by selecting “Register” to the right of the time.
• If by Distance:
  • Choose your preferred test center in the “Find test centers at or near this location” field, which by default is already prepopulated.
  • It will show how many seats and times are available at that test center on the date chosen
• Test dates are displayed in a two-month period window
• Use the blue arrow to change months if your preferred test date is outside of the two-month window.

✅ Step 4: Review and Finalize

• Review the test, test date, time and test center location information in the yellow shaded box at the top of the page. 
• For any changes, just select the blue “Edit Test Information” button. 
• Review the registration policies and if you agree, check the “I understand” box at the bottom of its page and select “Next.”
• You will be redirected to review the personal information you entered 
• Once you confirm it is all in order, select the blue “Next” button.
• You will be asked of your interest to participate in the FREE GRE Search Service. Review the full details, select your preference and select the blue “Next” button.

✅ Step 5: Checking Out

• Confirm your purchase/s by selecting the blue “proceed to checkout” button. 
• Enter any voucher or promotional code you may have at the top of the page and select the blue “Apply” button to activate it
• Select the blue “Pay Now” button.
• Select your payment option from Credit or Debit card, US bank funds transfer or PayPal
• Select the grey “Continue” button.
• Enter your payment information and select the grey “Buy” button.

Be sure to check your confirmation page and your registration confirmation email for accuracy.

Appendix 1: GRE Eligibility Requirements 

The GRE test is taken by people who want to pursue further studies through graduate school programs. Apart from this, the test is also taken by students who are planning to take up Masters, MBA or PHD degrees. 

Applicants may come from varying educational and cultural backgrounds and the GRE General Test provides schools with a common measure for comparing candidates’ qualifications. The GRE  test scores are used by admissions or fellowship panels to supplement undergraduate records, recommendation letters and other qualifications for graduate-level study.

Interested applicants can avail of the GRE test at more than 1,000 test centers in more than 160 countries in either computer-delivered or paper-delivered tests all year round. In areas such as Mainland China; Hong Kong, China; Taiwan, China; and Korea, the computer-delivered test is available up to three times per month. The paper-delivered test is available up to two times a year in November and February.

It may also be worth checking the GRE percentiles of your target school.

A2: Where to get GRE Registration Forms and other resources

The ETS website contains all the complete guidelines and forms required for the GRE Registration and Test. 

If you are still deciding on the test center you prefer to take it, you can search via the ETS portal.

Similarly, you can proceed to review the checklist and the registration process via the ETS page.  

A3: How much does GRE Registration cost?

Here is the fees breakdown of the GRE test based on region:

Region/Country	Standard Test Administration Fee
Worldwide	$150
Australia	$230
China	$231.30
Nigeria	$225
Turkey	$250
All other areas of the World	$205

All fees are inclusive of any value-added tax or similar taxes that ETS is liable to pay. ETS also accepts different modes of payment depending on the test type. 

A4: Latest COVID-19 update on the GRE Test from ETS

ETS has released a COVID-19 update regarding the GRE test by temporarily offering a GRE General Test at home option. 

While test centers are closed due to the pandemic and in keeping with everyone’s safety, interested applicants around the world (except in Iran and mainland China) will be able to take the GRE exam from home. GRE registrations have started for the June 2020 dates. 

The test is identical in content, format and on-screen experience to the GRE General Test taken at a test center and can be taken on your own computer at home, monitored by a human proctor online through ProctorU®. 

At home administrations are currently available around the clock Friday through Monday until June 30, 2020, and seven days a week from July 1 through September 30, 2020. Appointments may be available as early as 24 hours after you register.