GRE 2026 — At a Glance
About GRE 2026
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a premier standardized test owned and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). It serves as a vital component of the application process for graduate, business (MBA), and law school programs worldwide, measuring an applicant's readiness for graduate-level coursework.
About Exam
The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, is a standardized test used for admission to graduate, business, and select doctoral programs worldwide. It is conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Accepted by universities across the US, UK, Canada, Europe, and other countries for admission to postgraduate and doctoral programs like MS, MBA, and PhD admissions.
2 types: GRE General Test (widely required) and GRE Subject Tests (for admission to PhD programs in Physics, Psychology, and Maths).
Tests Verbal Reasoning (reading and vocabulary), Quantitative Reasoning (basic math and data analysis), and Analytical Writing (essay tasks). The total test duration is 1 hour and 58 minutes.
The GRE exam fee in India for 2026 is INR 22,550 for the General Test and INR 17,818 for the Subject Tests. Taxes are added at the time of payment.
Conducted in a computer-based format. Home edition is also available in India.
The total score range is 130-170 for Verbal and Quant, and a 0-6 scale for Analytical Writing.
A valid passport is the only requirement to take the GRE.
Results are available in 8-10 days and remain valid for 5 years.
GRE Exam Highlights
The table below gives a brief overview of the GRE exam 2026:
Partculars | Details |
|---|---|
Exam Name | GRE |
GRE Full Form | Graduate Record Examination |
Official Website | https://www.ets.org/gre.html |
Most Popular for | MS courses in the USA |
Also Accepted for | MBA, MS, MA, and PhD programs abroad |
Conducted By | ETS (Educational Testing Service) |
Formats Available | Test center-delivered and at-home; Both fully computer-based |
GRE Exam Fees in India 2026 | General Test: INR 22,550 Subject Tests: INR 17,818 Taxes are added at the time of payment. |
Pattern | 3 sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing |
Score Range | Quant and Verbal sections: 130-170 each AWA: 0-6 |
Score Validity | 5 years |
What is the GRE Exam Fee in India for 2026?
The GRE exam fee in India for 2026 is INR 23,452, including taxes. The complete breakdown is shown in the image below:
Total GRE exam fees 2026 at the time of payment
Note:
The official ETS GRE India Fee page mentions the GRE General Test registration fee as INR 22,550. However, while making the payment, it is seen that the base fee is INR 19,110.17. After adding taxes, the total amount becomes INR 23,452.
The GRE exam fees is the same for test center-delivered and home edition tests.
Apart from the registration fees, additional costs apply for services like rescheduling and cancellation. These are mentioned in the table below:
Exam Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Subject Test Registration | INR 17,818 | Taxes are added at the time of payment. |
Rescheduling | INR 5,650 | Must be done at least 4 days before the original date. |
Changing Test Center | INR 5,000 | Raise a rescheduling request. |
Additional Score Report | INR 4,150 per report | The first 4 reports are free and must be sent on the test day itself. |
Score Review | INR 5,900 | Available only for the Analytical Writing section. For Quant and Verbal, a free diagnostic service (detailed performance analysis) is available on the ETS account for 15 days. |
Score Reinstatement | INR 5,000 | Must be requested within 60 days of receiving the official scores. |
Returned Payment | INR 2,900 | Applies if payment fails in the first attempt. Check the payment methods carefully. |
Official ETS GRE Fees in India for 2026
How to Register for the GRE Exam 2026?
GRE registration can be done online from the official ETS website. Here are the steps:
Create an account on the official ETS GRE website.
Complete your profile by filling in all the required data, like name, date of birth, address, phone number, and communication preferences, correctly.
Log in to the ETS portal with the newly created username and password.
Choose the test type: General or Subject Test
Choose your preferred test date and center. Make sure the chosen date does not clash with other important dates.
Make the payment.
You will receive an email confirming your registration.
If you encounter any issues during registration, you can call the GRE customer support on 1-800-473-2255.
What are the GRE fee payment methods in India?
You can pay using credit or debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Rupay, Maestro), or through UPI and Bharat QR apps like Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, Amazon Pay, or WhatsApp. For international cards, Dynamic Currency Conversion is supported by Visa and MasterCard.
GRE Exam Dates in India 2026
The GRE General Test is available throughout the year, with multiple dates a month. The Subject Tests are available in only 3 months: September, October, and April.
Note:
The calendar given above is for GRE test centers in Bangalore. Test dates may vary from city to city.
You also have the option to take the GRE at Home, which is also available almost every day and at multiple time slots.
How many times can I take the GRE in a year?
You can take the GRE up to 5 times in a rolling 12-month period. There has to be a 21-day gap between 2 attempts.
GRE Exam Pattern 2026
The GRE exam pattern is divided into 3 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing, with a total duration of approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes. Below are the details:
Section | Number of Questions | Duration | Syllabus |
|---|---|---|---|
Analytical Writing | One "Analyze an Issue" task | 30 min | Topics will be given from this official GRE AWA Topic Pool. |
Verbal Reasoning | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 18 min Section 2: 23 min | Reading comprehension, Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence |
Quantitative Reasoning | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions | Section 1: 21 min Section 2: 26 min | Geometry, Arithmetic, Algebra, Data Analysis |
Official ETS GRE Exam Pattern for 2026
Test-Taker Experience:
Recent test-takers report that Quant difficulty has increased slightly, especially in data interpretation and word problems.
165+ in Quant is common, while 165+ in Verbal is rare. Students suggest GregMat word lists, Magoosh flashcards, and repeated exposure to official ETS materials.
For prep, students suggest that ETS PowerPrep tests are closest to the real GRE.
Manhattan mocks have slightly harder Quant, while those of Kaplan have easier Verbal.
GRE Scores 2026
The total GRE score ranges from 260 to 340.
The verbal and quantitative sections are each scored on a scale of 130-170, with 1-point increments.
Analytical writing is scored from 0 to 6 with half-point increments.
The total score is the combination of verbal and quantitative scores, while the AWA score is reported separately.
Your unofficial GRE score will appear on the screen immediately after taking the test, while the AWA score will be published directly on the official score report. You will receive your official GRE score card about 8-10 days after the test.
What is a Good GRE Score in 2026?
There is no universal “good GRE score”. A good score meets your target university’s requirements. While many universities abroad have become test-optional, students still submit their standardized test scores to make their application stand out.
The table below gives a list of top universities abroad and the average GRE score submitted by admitted students.
University | Average Verbal Score | Average Quant Score |
|---|---|---|
Harvard University | 164 | 164 |
University of Chicago | 161 | 163 |
Yale University | 163 | 166 |
Columbia University | 163 | 163 |
MIT | Not mentioned | 159-170 |
Stanford University | 164 | 164 |
University of Pennsylvania | 162 | 163 |
Duke University | 164 | 164 |
Note:
The above scores are taken from the class profile of the MBA Class of 2027 (admitted in the Fall of 2025) of the respective universities’ B-schools. Universities have different requirements for different programs. Therefore, you must carefully check the entry requirements of your target program.
STEM programs often expect higher Quant scores (165+).
Can a low GRE score be offset by other parts of the application?
Strong academics, work experience, SOPs, and recommendations can help balance a lower score. But you are advised to achieve at least the average scores of the previous years’ class profiles.
GRE Preparation Tips for Indian Students 2026
Here are a few GRE preparation tips to help you during your GRE preparations:
Always keep calm and come back to the questions you couldn't solve in the end.
Use GRE prep books and free practice papers.
Get your hands on authentic study materials and practice papers.
Taking GRE crash courses online will help you acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses.
Hire a personal tutor to get regular feedback on the status of your GRE preparation.
Know the details about the syllabus and pattern of the exam.
Mix and match your preparation materials like prep books, videos, sample questions, and webinars.
Taking mock tests regularly will help in effective preparation.
Understand the contextual meaning of words in Verbal.
A study plan will help you to prepare for the exam in a structured way.
Reading different types of analytical non-fiction works will help candidates.
Enroll yourself in top GRE coaching centers like Manya, Jamboree, and IMS.
The GRE is a standardized test used by universities abroad to assess applicants for postgraduate programs. Students should review the exam format, fees, and score requirements carefully before registering. The choice to take the GRE should be based on program requirements and individual preparation readiness.