What You Need to Know About the GRE General Test (2026 Guide)

The GRE General Test is the standard admissions exam for graduate school, MBA programs, law school, and other professional degrees. If you are planning to apply in the next few years, this guide covers everything you need before you register: test structure, timing, cost, where to take it, how to prepare, and why submitting scores—even when a program says they are optional—can still work in your favor.

By the RN Academy GRE team · Reviewed against official ETS publications

What is the GRE General Test?

The GRE General Test is taken for admission to graduate, business, and other professional programs—including law school. Schools also use GRE scores for scholarship and fellowship decisions, not just admissions.

The test measures three skill areas that graduate programs care about:

• Analytical Writing — construct and evaluate arguments in essay form
• Quantitative Reasoning — interpret and analyze quantitative information
• Verbal Reasoning — analyze written material and understand relationships among words and concepts

GRE scores are valid for five years—so a strong result today can support applications, scholarships, and fellowships well into the future.

Who accepts GRE scores?

Thousands of graduate and professional schools worldwide accept GRE scores to help make admissions, scholarship, and fellowship decisions. That includes traditional graduate programs, MBA programs that accept the GRE in place of the GMAT, and a growing number of law schools.

ETS maintains searchable lists of approved score recipients:

• All approved GRE score recipients (including business schools)
• MBA programs that accept GRE scores

Before you commit to a test date, confirm your target programs accept the GRE and check whether they publish median or recommended score ranges.

What is the GRE test structure?

The current GRE General Test takes 1 hour and 58 minutes of scored time. Analytical Writing always comes first; Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning may appear in any order after that.

For section-by-section breakdowns, see our GRE Verbal Reasoning guide and Reading Comprehension guide.

Where and when can you take the GRE?

The GRE General Test is offered on a continuous basis at hundreds of test centers in 160 countries, so there is likely one convenient to you. You also have the option to test at home, with appointments available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

• At home: You can typically schedule as early as the next day, subject to availability and eligibility requirements.
• Test center: Appointments depend on local seat availability—popular dates fill up, so book early if you have a fixed application deadline.

Should you test at a center or at home?

This is a personal choice. Compare the two options:

Consider a test center if you are concerned about home internet reliability, securing a private room, or meeting ETS at-home eligibility requirements.

How much does the GRE cost?

The standard GRE General Test fee is $220 in most parts of the world. Fees in China and India are slightly higher. Your registration includes sending score reports to four schools on test day at no extra charge.

Additional fees may apply for:

• Sending scores to more than four institutions
• Rescheduling or changing your test center
• Other optional services listed on the ETS fees page

See the full fee schedule on ETS — GRE test fees.

How can you prepare for the GRE?

ETS offers preparation materials ranging from free resources to paid courses and books (roughly $0–$100). Many test takers prepare successfully using only free official materials.

Explore all options on ETS test prep. For Verbal preparation, start with our GRE Verbal Reasoning explained guide and drill Reading Comprehension passages, Text Completion, and Sentence Equivalence on RN Academy.

How do you register for the GRE?

Registration happens through your ETS account. Follow these steps:

Not sure you are ready yet? Creating an ETS account is still a useful first step—you can explore prep materials, save target programs, and understand score reporting before committing to a date. Review ID requirements before you register.

Beyond sending scores

Official score reports are how programs evaluate your results. ETS also offers optional extras—a free LinkedIn “I Took the GRE” badge after test day, and the GRE Search Service, which lets schools contact you about programs if you opt in during registration.

Should you submit GRE scores if a school says they are optional?

It depends on how your scores compare to admitted students at that program. Strong or competitive scores usually strengthen an application; weak scores relative to the cohort can hurt more than they help. Below are reasons to submit when your numbers hold up—and when to think twice.

When to submit

If your scores are at or above a program's typical range, submitting is usually the safer default. Common reasons applicants send optional scores:

1. Competitive edge. Strong GRE scores signal you are serious about graduate school—more serious than applicants who skip them when they could have submitted.
2. Leave no questions on the table. Admissions committees want to minimize risk. More complete applications give them fewer reasons to doubt your readiness.
3. Prove readiness to yourself. Grad school is a major investment. A solid GRE performance confirms you have the baseline skills before you commit time and money.
4. Prepare for grad-level testing. You will take exams in graduate school. The GRE is a low-stakes way to build test-taking stamina and confidence now.
5. Unlock future opportunities. Scores are valid for five years—they can support scholarships, fellowships, teaching assistantships, and even a future degree change without retesting.

When NOT to submit

Skipping scores can be the right call when they would distract from a stronger application:

• Your score sits below the 25th percentile of admitted students and your GPA, research, or work experience are well above average—GRE numbers may raise doubts an otherwise strong file would not.
• A program explicitly states it weighs optional scores only when they are competitive, and yours fall outside their published range.
• You retested recently and are waiting on better results—submitting an older, weaker score before a retake is available.

When in doubt, email the admissions office or ask a trusted advisor. Many schools will give a straight answer on whether a specific score helps or hurts.

Test day quick checklist

• ✓Valid ID with the exact name used at registration
• ✓Confirm test center address or complete at-home equipment check
• ✓Review ETS ID requirements
• ✓Arrive 30 minutes early (test center) or log in 15 minutes early (at home)

FAQ

How long is the GRE General Test?

The scored portion takes 1 hour and 58 minutes: 30 minutes for Analytical Writing, 47 minutes for Quantitative Reasoning (two sections), and 41 minutes for Verbal Reasoning (two sections).

What order do GRE sections appear in?

Analytical Writing is always first. After that, your Verbal and Quantitative sections may appear in any order.

How much does the GRE cost in 2026?

$220 in most regions; China and India have slightly higher fees. Four score reports to institutions are included in the base fee.

Can I take the GRE at home?

Yes. GRE at Home is available 24/7 with appointments often available as early as the next day, provided you meet ETS equipment and environment requirements.

How long are GRE scores valid?

Five years from your test date.

Do I need expensive prep to do well?

No. ETS provides free practice tests, sample questions, and monthly webinars. Many students combine official free materials with focused section practice—our Verbal guide is a good starting point for that section.

Next steps

Create your ETS account, pick a test date that leaves 6–10 weeks of prep, and start with one official POWERPREP test to establish a baseline.

Related guides: GRE Verbal Reasoning · Reading Comprehension · RC timing strategy