GRE Application Process 2026: Eligibility, Registration Fees, Documents, Exam Centres

The GRE Application Process 2026 is the first step for candidates planning to appear for the GRE General Test or GRE Subject Test. The registration process is simple and self-explanatory. Candidates need to log in to the official ETS portal, read the guidelines, and then fill out the GRE form by providing personal and academic details. If followed properly, registration for the GRE 2026 takes hardly 15 to 20 minutes.

Candidates must book a test location and exam date early for GRE 2026 to secure their preferred test centre during the slot booking process. Registration for the GRE is offered by ETS throughout the year. However, the registration for the GRE Subject test is held on a particular schedule. For the GRE General test, candidates can register throughout the year, but for the subject test, authorities will release a schedule. Registration for the Subject Test is nearly identical to the General Test registration process.

GRE Application Process 2026: How To Apply?

The GRE registration process involves several steps. To simplify the process, a detailed guideline is presented here. Candidates willing to apply for the GRE 2026 Exam should follow these steps:

1. Candidates should visit the ETS official website for the GRE Application Process 2026 and create a new account. Applicants with an existing ETS account can simply log in.
2. Next, candidates should select the type of GRE test, as per their preferences, either the GRE General Test or the GRE Subject Test.
3. After that, aspirants must choose the nearest GRE test centre or opt for the "GRE at Home" option.
4. Candidates should ensure the availability of slots at their preferred test centres on that particular date.
5. Candidates can review and modify their choices before submitting the registration form.
6. Finally, candidates need to verify all the details and submit the exam fee.
7. Upon payment confirmation, applicants can print an acknowledgement receipt. The receipt would also be available on the dashboard of their account.

How to Register for GRE 2026 At Home?

Candidates can also take the GRE 2026 test from the comfort of their homes by simply selecting the GRE at Home version. The GRE at Home version retains all the regular GRE General Test features, including the same registration fee. However, candidates must ensure their system meets the required technical specifications to take the test. To register for the GRE Home test, applicants must meet specific criteria for at-home testing. The necessary conditions are as follows:

• A private room where the candidate will be alone.
• Proper seating and a suitable tabletop arrangement.
• A laptop or computer equipped with the ETS secure browser.
• An internal or external speaker (headsets and earphones are not permitted).
• An internal or external microphone, which must not be part of a headset.
• A built-in or external camera capable of providing a 360-degree view of the room.

Also Check: GRE Test 2026 Cutoff

GRE Application Process 2026: Subject Registration

The GRE Subject Test 2026 registration in India costs INR 14,500. Candidates can register online through the official GRE website, select their preferred test date and centre, and pay the fee to confirm their registration. Candidates willing to register for the GRE Subject Test can follow this step-by-step guide to complete their registration for the GRE Subject Exam 2026. Candidates must provide a valid ID proof for the GRE Application Process 2026 and the GRE Exam 2026. For Indian candidates, a valid ID proof is a passport. To successfully book a GRE Subject Test slot, candidates must follow these steps:

• Visit the official ETS website.
• Create a GRE test-taker profile or log in to an existing account.
• Choose the GRE Subject Test and select the specific subject you wish to take.
• Complete the GRE registration details and submit the application form.
• Select your desired GRE Subject Test date and test centre for 2026.
• Pay the GRE Subject Test registration fee of INR 14,500.
• Confirm and submit your GRE Subject Test application form.
• Print or save the details of your GRE Subject Test submission for future reference.

GRE Application Process 2026: Eligibility Criteria

The exam authority has not set any eligibility criteria for the candidates. However, candidates aiming for GRE 2026 must keep a few things in mind. Here are the details related to the GRE Eligibility Criteria 2026:

• No age limits are prescribed for the candidates taking the GRE Test 2026.
• There is no minimum educational qualification required to take the GRE. The GRE is mainly required for admission to master’s and PhD programs.
• A valid passport is an essential document to appear for the GRE Test 2026.

GRE Subject Test Dates 2026

GRE Subject Tests are available only during designated periods in April, September, and October. For 2026, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) has released the specific test windows as follows:

Also Check: GRE Admit Card 2026

GRE General Exam Dates 2026

The GRE General Exam 2026 will be conducted year-round in most countries, including India, with candidates able to book dates online at their convenience. Testing is available at Prometric and GRE centres, offering flexibility to choose suitable dates throughout the year. The GRE 2026 exam dates are mentioned in the table below:

GRE Registration Fees 2026

The GRE 2026 registration fees are INR 22,000 for the General Test and INR 14,500 for the Subject Test. Fees may vary slightly due to taxes or additional services like score reports or rescheduling. Candidates can register online through the official GRE website and choose suitable test dates at authorised test centres. GRE registration fees are mentioned below:

Also Check: GRE Exam Pattern 2026

GRE Exam Fee India - Special Handling Request

For special handling requests in India, the GRE fee includes an additional charge on top of the standard registration fee. This applies to services like rescheduling, changing test centres, or special accommodations, and must be paid through the official GRE website while submitting the request.

GRE Registration Payment Mode

Indian candidates can pay the GRE 2026 exam fee through various methods. Here are the details:

• Visa, MasterCard or debit cards.
• Rupay credit or debit cards.
• UPI, Bharat QR, and online payment wallets.
• Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) for Visa and MasterCard cards issued outside India.

Also Check: GRE Syllabus 2026

GRE Application Process 2026: Reschedule the Exam

For GRE 2026, candidates can reschedule or cancel their exam online through the official GRE website. Rescheduling requires an additional fee, while cancellations may offer a partial refund if done within the allowed timeframe before the test date. To reschedule the GRE Exam 2026, candidates must log in to their ETS account under “My GRE” or contact GRE services via phone (1800 120 0371) or email (GRESupport4India@ets.org). The test must be rescheduled at least four days before the original date, with a rescheduling fee of INR 5,650 for Indian candidates. Here are some rescheduling rules:

• Test registration must be rescheduled at least four days before the scheduled test date.
• The GRE rescheduling fee for Indian candidates is INR 5,650.

Things to Consider for the GRE Application Process 2026

When registering for the GRE 2026, candidates should consider the test type (General or Subject), registration fees, preferred test date and centre, and category-specific requirements. It’s important to plan for rescheduling or cancellation, as fees apply, and to ensure all personal details match official documents for smooth registration and score reporting.

• Review the policies for rescheduling and cancelling the GRE test.
• Candidates must present original ID proof during registration. For those registering in India, only valid Indian passports are accepted. Ensure that the first and last names on your passport match those on your GRE application form.
• The GRE Subject Test is available during three two-week periods in April, September, and October.
• When scheduling your test, allow a buffer of at least 12 days for score reporting to meet the admission deadlines for your chosen programs.
• On test day, you can send your GRE scores to up to four graduate institutions or fellowship sponsors for free. Any additional score reports can be sent for an extra fee.
• During GRE registration, candidates must specify the graduate institutions or sponsors to receive their scores. The cost of sending scores to up to four recipients is included in the test fee, with additional reports incurring an extra charge.

Also Check: GRE Result 2026

GRE Registration Trends Over the Years

GRE registration trends over the years show a steady increase in test-takers globally, with more students from India and other countries opting for the GRE to pursue graduate studies abroad. There has also been a shift toward year‑round testing, flexible dates, and online registrations, reflecting growing demand and easier access to test centres. The list below presents the number of GRE Test takers over the years:

GRE Test centres 2026

ETS has over 1,000 test centres in 160+ countries, including India, but the specific list of centres changes each year. Not all centres operate year-round. Here is the list of GRE 2026 Test centres in India:

GRE Application Process 2026 FAQs