How Much Does It Cost to Take the GRE in 2026

I. GRE Cost Overview - What You Pay to Take the Exam

While preparing for the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) you might be wondering "how much does the GRE cost?" The registration fee for the GRE General Test in 2026 is $220 USD which is the rate test takers pay when they take the exam online or at a Prometric testing center. This fee is not for the three hours of testing alone, and it also allows you to send scores to four different graduate institutions for free. Furthermore, it allows you access to the GRE exam diagnostic service which tells you how you performed on various question types after the exam. Of course, part of this fee also goes towards the administration of the GRE sections, including Verbal reasoning questions, Quantitative reasoning questions, and Analytical Writing sections of the exam on test day as well as compilation of the final score.

It is also important to note that some test takers may be required to take one GRE Subject Test in a specific field of expertise, such as Mathematics, Physics, or Psychology as opposed to the GRE General Test. In 2026, the fee for any of these Subject Tests is $150 USD across the world. Although these exams are less common than the GRE General Test, it is still important to note the lower price point and understand if you are required to take it. It is important to do this early on as GRE test day seats to take a GRE Subject Test often fill up quickly.

II. GRE Fees by Location (US and International Costs)

While the $220 USD price tag is the global standard, ETS (Educational Testing Service) adjusts GRE registration fees based on the administrative costs of specific regions. If you are testing outside the United States, you might encounter a slightly different bill. For example, the rescheduling fee is approximately $50 in most parts of the world but is a higher $53.90 in China. Ensure the payment method you are using for the test center is alright for international transactions. All GRE payments are processed in USD.

III. Additional GRE Fees You Should Know

The price of $220 discussed above is very rarely the entire price for taking the exam. This is likely because most students may realize they need more time, or they might be applying to take the GRE at the last minute. Additional fees might also occur if you decide to apply to more than 4 schools. There are various optional charges for the GRE General Test.

The late registration fee for the GRE is applied to paper-delivered tests and is approximately $25 USD. There is no late registration fee for the computer-delivered GRE. The GRE rescheduling fee is approximately $55 USD. There is the test center change fee which will run you about $55 if you would like to write the test in a center of your choosing or in a different city. It is vitally important to know when your scores need to reach your school to make sure that you are scheduling an appropriate test date ahead of time. Find out more about when you will get your scores back here.

IV. GRE Rescheduling and Cancellation Fees

The rescheduling fee tends to be the most common added cost that test takers can incur. This generally occurs due to panic before the exam due to less-than-ideal practice scores, or some other personal event occurring. It is important to understand the fees relating to rescheduling. Generally, you can move your test to a later date for a fee of $55 as long as this is done four days before your original appointment. If you attempted to do this three days before the exam, you would forfeit your $220 dollar registration fee and would have to register again. On the other hand, if you believe that you are unable to write the GRE at all, you should attempt to cancel four days beforehand so that you can receive a 50% refund. If this deadline was dismissed, you would get no money back. Ensure that you plan your schedule properly and make sure everything else is taken care of before you register.

V. GRE Analytical Writing Rescore and ScoreSend Fees

Unfortunately, the spending does not end after the exam is over. If you feel as though your Analytical Writing section has been graded unfairly low, then you can request a regrade of this section. This is because it is the only section of the GRE score that is partially graded by humans. The price for this score review is $60, and your essay score could increase, decrease, or stay the same. It is also important to note that this fee is non-refundable. If you would like to send your GRE scores to more than four schools, this will also cost more money. Each school after the first 4 costs $40 USD dollars per recipient. So, if you apply to 8 schools, you’ll pay $220 (test) + $160 (four extra score reports) = $380 total using ScoreSend.

VI. GRE Cost Waiver and Financial Assistance

It is understandable that for some test takers, the $220 price tag is too much, and that is why the ETS has a program designed to help with this. The GRE Fee Reduction Program is available for those who can demonstrate need for financial aid through eligibility requirements. This allows everybody to obtain the GRE score they want. The real question is who qualifies?

US citizens and residents qualify so long as they are college seniors or undergraduate college graduates who meet the specific Student Aid Index requirements from FAFSA. They can apply with a GRE Fee Reduction Voucher. Those who are unemployed and receiving unemployment compensation for this in the US are also eligible. Lastly, people in the Peace Corps, TRIO, or the Gates Millenium Scholars Program are also eligible for financial assistance.

If you are approved for this, voucher numbers are sent and you will get a 50% discount on the GRE general fee which will bring it down to $110 and would bring the GRE Subject Test fee down to $75. Additionally, you may also get free access to some free GRE test prep materials using your GRE Fee Reduction Voucher.

To apply, you must submit a GRE Fee Reduction Voucher Request Form with supporting documents such as Unemployment Benefits Statements or FAFSA submission summaries to ETS. Ensure that you are doing this months before you take the actual exam so that ETS has time to process the results and grant you financial assistance. In conclusion, the GRE fee reduction voucher is a good way to make sure that everybody can take the GRE with equal opportunity including underrepresented groups, first-generation college attendees, and resident aliens.

VII. Hidden Costs of GRE Preparation

The biggest additional cost for GRE prep is the price you pay to ensure you are getting the test scores you need. The registration fee is only a small part of that. The bigger part involves the money you pay for practice exams that allow you to do well.

This includes prep books from Manhattan Prep or Kaplan, which can cost from anywhere between $40 to $100.  Online courses including those like GREBooster also offer comprehensive video lessons and thousands of practice questions. The pricing ranges from $49 to $299 depending on how long you plan on accessing the resources. Tutoring is another option if you desire 1-on-1 help, and private tutoring fees can vary from $100 to $300 dollars per hour. Lastly but most importantly is the fee you pay for mock exams. Although ETS provides two free online practice tests with registration, it is always nice to have more practice. Additional higher-quality mock exams can cost between $20 to $100 each. Saving money for GRE prep is important to ensure you reach the GRE score goal you need.

Though technically these costs are optional, it is important to spend money on these resources to ensure score improvement. Spending money on undergraduate student training, official GRE prep materials and official practice tests now could save you $220 in retake costs as well as future GRE prep costs.

VIII. How to Save Money on the GRE

All the above being said, it is certainly possible to not break the bank while also getting a good score on the GRE test. There are a few ways to go about doing this. As mentioned earlier, test takers should try to register well in advance to avoid the $55 rescheduling fee. You should also make sure you have left more than enough time for GRE study and have accounted for unforeseen circumstances.  This will prevent having to reschedule and pay more fees. When it comes to buying resources, make sure you use the free resources on the ETS website first and utilize free trials on platforms like GREBooster before buying sets of books or additional practice exams. Make sure that before you walk into the exam, you have your four free schools ready to send reports to. This way, you will not spend $40 on each of these schools. Last and most importantly, make sure you are not taking this exam unprepared and that you are investing in high-quality GRE test preparation materials for the first time so that you do not need to spend more money to take the exam again. Investing in good test prep companies is part of this.

IX. Comparing GRE Cost vs Other Exams (GMAT, LSAT)

How does the pricing of the GRE test compare to other graduate business and law program exams such as the GMAT or the LSAT for law school? If you are a business program applicant, you might be considering taking the GMAT instead. It should be noted that the LSAT is $248 and GMAT is $275-$300, which makes the GRE test the best priced option for a graduate entrance exam. It is also worth noting that the GRE score is accepted by a wider variety of graduate programs which makes it a more versatile choice for first generation college students.

X. Why Understanding GRE Cost Matters for Planning

Understanding how much the GRE test costs is incredibly important for budgeting and planning to ensure that you can save up for a realistic graduate school budget whether that be for law, business, or an engineering and science program. Having this budget will ensure GRE test takers peace of mind so that they are not worried about paying for additional score reports and can focus on the actual exam preparation and getting the GRE score they want.

XI. FAQ

Q: How much does it cost for test-takers to take the GRE in 2025?

A: The base fee for the USA GRE is $220 in 2025. Fees may vary depending on the region.

Q: Are there any hidden fees besides the test fee?

A: Preparing for the test as well as rescheduling or cancelling can increase fees. Additional score reports may also require additional fees.

Q: Can I get a discount on the GRE fee?

A: Yes, the GRE Fee Reduction Voucher Program is available for those who demonstrate financial need. You may be eligible for up to a 50% discount on fees.

Q: Is the GRE more expensive than the GMAT?

A: No, the GRE is less expensive than the GMAT. GRE is $220, whereas the GMAT ranges from $275-$300.

Q: Does the GRE cost include sending scores to universities?

A: The base GRE fee includes the cost for sending score reports to 4 institutions. Past that you are required to pay an additional $40 for each extra institution you would like to have your score sent to.