GRE Test Dates 2025 – Exam Schedule, Registration Deadlines, and How to Reschedule

I. What Are the GRE Test Dates in 2025?

GRE General Test Dates for 2025

The GRE general test can be taken online at home at any day and time of the year. This gives flexibility in terms of the most convenient GRE dates for you. The GRE general test is available at selected United States US test centers throughout the year, as well as throughout the year at international locations. Depending on the test center, the GRE general test may be offered at a particular test center daily or on certain days. There are many GRE general test dates to choose from.

GRE Subject Test Dates in 2025

GRE subject tests are offered in April, September, and October at selected United States US testing centers and internationally. The remaining GRE exam dates for 2025 subject tests have not been released, but the most recent test schedule for 2024-2025 was September 16–29, 2024; October 17-30, 2024, and April 21–May 4, 2025. Subject tests can also be taken online on the same days. 

GRE Testing Dates by Location (U.S. and International)

The GRE General Test is offered year-round at selected United States US testing centers and in 160 countries worldwide. The GRE online examination is available at any time. Check the official ETS website for specific GRE testing dates.

II. GRE Online Test Dates: When Can You Take the GRE at Home?

Best Time to Schedule the At-Home GRE Based on Application Deadlines

The best time to schedule your at-home GRE test depends on your program’s application deadlines and how much time you require for test prep and to retake the test if needed. If your graduate program has an application deadline of February 1st, for example, if you take the exam in early December, it gives you time to retake the test if needed and provides ample time for your scores to arrive before the application deadline.

How Soon Should You Book the Online GRE Test?

It is recommended to book 1-2 months in advance of when you take your GRE online test to secure your preferred time slot, as online spaces can fill up with other test takers. Booking early gives you time to retake the test if you are unhappy with your results, as well as time for extra GRE prep. You can retake the test every 21 days, five times yearly.

When to Reschedule or Retake the GRE at Home Effectively

Understanding when to reschedule or retake the GRE online examination at home is vital for sending in strong scores and not delaying your application timeline. You should reschedule your at-home test if you are not meeting your target scores during GRE prep. You should reschedule if your computer and testing room do not meet the equipment and environment requirements necessary to take the online GRE. Excessive background noise during the online GRE can result in flagged or cancelled scores. You should retake the online GRE examination if you scored significantly below your target score (5-10 points under) or underperformed in a particular area. Competitive programs such as graduate law and business may require high performance in certain areas (e.g. verbal reasoning for law).

III. When to Choose Your GRE Test Date?

Best Time to Take the GRE Based on Application Deadlines

It is advised to take the GRE 2-3 months before your earliest application deadline. For instance, if your earliest application deadline is December 1st, you would schedule your test for September or October. This 2-3 month window will give you time for test prep, as well as the opportunity to retake the GRE if needed.

How Early Should You Register?

Ideally, you should schedule your test 2-3 months in advance of your desired test date. Although there are daily and hourly GRE online test dates,  this allows you time for GRE prep to secure your preferred test day before spots are secured by other GRE test takers, especially during popular months. 

Ideal Time for Retaking the GRE

The best time to retake a GRE test depends on how much you want to improve your score through GRE prep work and the application deadlines of your program. If you want a minimal score improvement, 3-4 weeks of test prep should be enough. If you want to significantly increase your score, and require a high score for competitive programs such as graduate business and law, 6-8 weeks of test prep will give you more time. GRE scores take 10-15 days to be reported; you can retake a general or subject test every 21 days. Thus, you should account for these time constraints in tandem with the application deadlines of the schools you’re applying to when deciding the best time to retake your GRE test.

IV. How to Register for a GRE Exam

GRE Exam Registration Steps

To register for the GRE, you will need to register online. 

• Step 1: Go to the Educational Testing Service website found here. 
• Step 2: Log in make an account to sign up for ETS.
• Step 3:  Click “register for the GRE” and then “register/find test centers.” 
• Step 4: Select either general test or subject tests. Enter the location and time of your test. 
• Step 5: Click “Find available test centers and dates.” You will see a list of dates and weekdays. Make your selection. 
• Step 6: Click “show test times.” Select a time for your test and click “register.” 
• Step 7: Click through the following pages to the “test registration” page. Provide your personal information. 
• Step 8: On the next page, scroll down and click “continue to checkout.” 
• Step 9: Pay for your test to complete your test registration. 

How to Register for the GRE Online Test

To register for the online GRE, you will also need to register online.

• Step 1: Go to the Educational Testing Service website found here. 
• Step 2: Log in or create an ETS account. 
• Step 3: Navigate to the following link.
• Step 4: Click on “schedule your test.” 
• Step 5: On the next page, click on “GRE general at home.” 
• Step 6: Enter your location and preferred test day and time. 
• Step 7: Click “search locations.” Select a day and time to test. 
• Step 8: Click “register for your test.” Confirm your selection on the next page. 
• Step 9:Click through the next few pages until you reach “background information.” Fill this in. 
• Step 10: On the next page, click “continue to checkout.” 
• Step 11: Pay for your test to complete the registration process.

GRE Testing Accommodations and Special Requests  

ETS offers accommodations for test takers with disabilities. This includes learning and physical disabilities, mental health conditions, and chronic illnesses. Accommodations include specialized software, separate rooms, extended exam times, and scribes. To request accommodations, log in to your ETS account and locate the testing accommodation form before registering for your GRE exam.

V. Can You Change Your GRE Test Date?

GRE Change Date Policy and Fees

You can change your GRE test day if you rebook a minimum of four days before the first test date you booked. A refund from your original test fees will be given, typically half of what you paid. It costs $50 USD to rebook the general test and the subject tests.

How to Change Your GRE Test Date Online

To change your GRE test date online, login to your ETS account. Navigate to the section “upcoming tests.” Select a test to rebook. Click on “reschedule appointment.” Select a new time, date, and location. Pay the rebooking fee and click “confirm.” 

Rescheduling vs Canceling: What You Need to Know

To reschedule or cancel your GRE test date, you must do so no later than four days before your originally scheduled GRE test date. If you reschedule at least four days in advance, you will be charged a $50 USD rescheduling fee. If you cancel your test at least four days ahead of time, you will receive a refund equal to 50% of your original test fee. No refunds or rescheduling options are available within four days of the test date.

VI. How Much Does the GRE Exam Cost? 

If you take the GRE in the United States, the test fees for the general test are $220 USD, and the fee is equivalent in most countries. The cost is the same whether you take the online GRE or in a test center. Subject tests cost $150 USD per test.

VII. Final Tips on Picking the Right GRE Testing Date

It is advisable to take the GRE during a time when you have relatively few work, school, or personal obligations. Choose the time of day that you perform best and feel most alert. Before choosing your GRE day, make sure to understand what is a good GRE score for your target programs.  

VIII. FAQ

Q: How Often Are GRE Tests Offered?
A: GRE test dates for the general test are offered multiple times throughout the year and three times yearly for subject tests. Specific availability in all cases varies depending on location and test center. 

Q: Can I Take the GRE More Than Once?
A: You can take the general GRE test multiple times. Test takers are permitted to take the GRE five times in 12 months, with 21 days between each GRE test. Any testing attempt will count toward this limit, regardless of whether you cancel your GRE scores. Subject tests can be taken every 14 days; the same policy as with the general test pertains to subject tests and score cancellations.

Q: Are There Deadlines for GRE Score Reporting?
A: There are deadlines for reporting GRE scores. GRE scores remain valid for five years after your test date, and this applies to both the general test and subject tests. After you take the exam, you should regularly log in to your ETS account to check for your results and ensure that your GRE scores have been sent to your designated institutions.