How to Register for the GRE
You can register for the GRE directly through your ETS account, and it’s a process you can complete in minutes. But before you book your test date, there’s something many test-takers overlook: the time of year you take the test determines when you’ll receive your scores, and that can make the difference between meeting your application deadline and missing it.
This guide walks you through the entire process step by step —from creating your account to completing the payment—so you don’t miss a single detail.
Table of contents
When Should You Schedule Your GRE?
You should schedule your GRE exam at least 8 to 10 days before any application deadline, since that is how long it takes to receive your official score report.
How Often Can You Take the GRE?
You can take the GRE every 21 days, up to a maximum of 5 times per year. If you plan to take the GRE more than once, be sure to allow enough time between test dates so you don’t miss any deadlines.
Now that you have an idea of when you will have to take the exam, it’s time to take the next step and register.
As you plan your registration, it’s just as important to think about how you’ll prepare for the exam. If you want to maximize your score and achieve your goals with confidence, explore our GRE courses designed to help you prepare effectively.
Call us and find out why our students have been achieving their goals since 2010.
What Are the Steps to Register for the GRE?
You can register for the GRE in 5 steps: create an ETS account, choose a test center and test date, fill in your personal information, review your registration, and pay the fee.
1. Visit the ETS website
ETS is the organization that administers the GRE. To register for the test, you’ll need to visit their website at www.ets.org. Once you’re on the home page, click “Register.”
2. Create an account
If you have taken or will take the TOEFL®, you may already have an ETS account; you can now use your login credentials to access any of the other tests offered by ETS. If not, you’ll need to create an account. Click “Create Account” and fill in your personal information, including your name, date of birth, and email address. If you have trouble entering your email address, be sure to avoid commas and special characters. You’ll also need to create a username and password. Remember that the valid ID you use to register is the one you must bring with you on test day.
3. Choose a date and place for the exam.
Now that you have an ETS account, you can begin the registration process. Click on “Register / Find Test Centers and Dates.” Select the GRE General Test from the drop-down menu. Search for test centers near your chosen location. Next, find a test center with the date and time that work best for you. Be sure to check the different options, as there are usually several start times available, depending on the center.
4. Complete the exam registration form
Carefully check that all your personal information is correct. Once you have confirmed that everything is correct, click “Next.” You will then need to fill in some additional information. Although you are only required to answer four fields—“What country/region are you a citizen of?”, “Your educational status at the time of taking the GRE exam”, “Do you communicate better (or just as well) in English than in any other language?”, and “Select your primary field of intended graduate study”— — answering the remaining questions is helpful for statistical and research purposes.
5. Pay the registration fee
You can pay the fee online using a credit card, a debit card, or PayPal. Before completing the payment, we recommend that you confirm the current GRE exam fee directly on the official ETS website, as this fee may change over time. If you are unable to pay the fee, you may be eligible for a fee waiver.
What Should You Do After Registering for the GRE?
After registering for the GRE, the next step is to put together a study plan: most students need between 10 and 15 weeks of preparation before their test date.
Follow the steps above to make the GRE registration process as easy as possible. Once you’ve committed to a test date, it’s time to develop your study plan. Make the most of your time by preparing with experienced providers and materials specifically designed for the GRE. With proper preparation and the right resources, EPIC PREP will help you achieve your GRE goals.
Where Can You Take the GRE In Person in Europe?
Test center availability for the GRE varies by country, and knowing which cities offer it can shape how you plan around an application deadline. Below is where GRE testing is offered in a few major European countries — though additional locations may exist beyond these. Always check the official ETS test center schedule directly before registering to confirm current dates, availability, and whether a location closer to you has opened up.
Where Can You Take the GRE in Germany?
Germany has confirmed GRE test centers in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf, among other cities. Additional locations exist beyond these, so check the ETS test center schedule directly for the full current list and available dates near you.
Where Can You Take the GRE in Italy?
Italy has confirmed GRE test centers in Rome, Milan, and Turin. Verify the current list and available test dates directly with ETS before registering, particularly if you’re working toward a date close to an application deadline. EPIC Prep has an office in Milan, one of the cities where the exam is offered.
Where Can You Take the GRE in Spain?
Spain has confirmed GRE test centers in Madrid and Barcelona. Check the ETS test center schedule for the current list of dates and availability before registering. EPIC Prep has offices in both Madrid and Barcelona.
Where Can You Take the GRE in Switzerland?
Switzerland has confirmed GRE test centers in Zurich, Basel, Bern, and Geneva, though availability at some of these locations is limited to select days rather than offered continuously. Confirm the specific open dates at each center directly with ETS before committing to a test date. EPIC Prep has an office in Zurich.
Where Can You Take the GRE in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands has confirmed GRE test centers in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague. Check the ETS test center schedule for the current list of available dates before registering, especially if your application deadline leaves limited room for a retake.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does It Cost to Register for the GRE?
GRE exam registration fees may vary; we recommend checking the current GRE exam price directly on the official ETS website. You can pay online with a credit card, debit card, or PayPal. If you are unable to pay the full fee, ETS offers a fee waiver program for test-takers who meet certain financial eligibility requirements. Payment is made directly on the ETS website at the end of the registration process, before you confirm your test date and test center.
How Many Times Can I Take the GRE Exam?
You can take the GRE exam up to 5 times within a 12-month period, with a minimum of 21 days between each attempt. If you don’t achieve the score you need on your first attempt, plan ahead so that the dates of your additional test attempts don’t conflict with the application deadlines for your graduate or MBA program.
How Long Does It Take to Get GRE Results?
GRE score reports are issued 8 to 10 days after the date you took the test. Electronic scores are sent to test centers and institutions twice a week, so in some cases, your test center or university may receive your score before you see it in your ETS account.
Can I Take the GRE Test From Home?
Yes, the GRE General Test is offered both at test centers and as a take-at-home test, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The at-home version has the same content, format, and on-screen experience as the test center version, and is proctored using security measures that combine human proctors and artificial intelligence technology.
What Should I Bring on the Day of the GRE Exam?
If you take the test at a test center, the only item you need to bring is a valid form of identification with the exact same name you used when you registered for your ETS account—it is the only personal item allowed inside the testing room. You must arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment to check in. If you’re taking the exam from home, you don’t need to bring anything physical: you verify your identity before test day using the ETS IDVaaS app, and the proctor confirms your ID when you log in.
We hope this article has answered your questions. If you have any questions about your preparation, please contact us and we will be happy to explain how EPIC Prep can help you achieve your goals.
