GRE Registration Policy

The GRE is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). There are two formats in which the GRE General Test is given: the computer-based test (CBT) and the paper-and-pencil test. Students taking the General Test in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico or a U.S. territory must take the computer-based GRE. Students taking the test at other locations around the globe may have a choice between the CBT and the paper-and-pencil test. There are some international test sites, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea, which offer only the paper-based GRE. The paper-and-pencil GRE test is offered only on particular dates—in many locations, only once a year. In contrast, the computer-based test is given year-round.

To register for the GRE in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico or a U.S. territory, you may call the Prometric Candidate Services Call Center at 800-GRE-CALL (800-473-2255). If you already know which test center you want, you may call the test center directly. If you register by phone, you must pay the testing fee by Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. You will receive a confirmation number, which serves as proof of registration. If you prefer to mail your payment, the mailing address is pre-printed on the envelope that is stapled into the center of the GRE Registration Bulletin. You can pick up a copy of the Bulletin at an on-campus career counseling office, or you can request one online. The Bulletin also has the Authorization Voucher Request Form you must mail along with your payment. Students who register by phone do not need an Authorization Voucher Request Form.

To register for the computer-based GRE in any other location, you must first determine which Regional Registration Center (RRC) has jurisdiction over the test center nearest you. The GRE Registration Bulletin has a list of international test centers and their corresponding RRCs. You can also obtain the list online. Once you have determined which RRC has jurisdiction over your preferred testing location, you may register by phone, mail, or fax. If registering by phone, you must call the RRC directly and pay the testing fee by VISA, MasterCard, or American Express. If you prefer to mail or fax your registration, you must first fill out the International Test Scheduling Form, which can be found in the Bulletin or online. Once you have completed this form, you must either mail it (with your check or money order, if applicable) or fax it to the RRC.

To register for the paper-and-pencil GRE General Test, you must obtain an ETS-printed copy of the Supplement to the GRE Registration Bulletin. In it, you will find the registration form that you must complete and mail to ETS along with your payment of the testing fee. The information contained in the Supplement is available online, but the registration form is not. You can call ETS at 609-771-7670 and request that the Supplement be mailed to you.

Testing Fees

In the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories, the GRE General Test registration fee is $140. In China (including Hong Kong), Korea, and Taiwan, the fee is $195. In all other locations, the fee is $170. The fee is the same regardless of whether you take the CBT or the paper-based test.

Rescheduling the Test Date

Rescheduling the date, time, or location of your test requires an additional fee of $40 and can be done over the phone with a credit card or by mail. The deadline for rescheduling a CBT appointment is seven days before the test date; after that time, the entire testing fee is forfeit if you fail to take the GRE on the scheduled date. If you are rescheduling the paper-and-pencil test, you must notify ETS by phone or mail before your scheduled test date and provide your name, date of birth, address, registration number, preferred test center, and new test date. The ETS mailing address can be found in the GRE Registration Bulletin.

Canceling the Test Registration

If you cancel your computer-based GRE appointment at least seven days before the test date, you will receive a partial refund of $60. After the seven-day deadline, however, the entire testing fee is forfeit. Cancellation can be done by contacting the test center or RRC, whichever is applicable. If you are canceling the paper-based test, the deadline is fifteen days before the test date.

Retaking the Test

Educational Testing Service limits the number of times a student may take the computer-based test. The first restriction is that a person may take the test only once in any calendar month. The second restriction is that a person may take the test only five times in any twelve-month period. There is no restriction on the number of times a student may take the paper-based test.

If you have any further questions or concerns regarding GRE registration policy, we recommend that you visit www.gre.org, the official GRE site administered by ETS.