Taking the GRE starts with creating a free ETS account, choosing between testing at home or at a test center, and registering for a date that gives you enough time to prepare. The whole process, from registration to score delivery, typically spans a few weeks. Here’s what to expect at each stage.
What the GRE Looks Like Now
The GRE General Test runs just under two hours, significantly shorter than its previous format. It has three scored sections: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.
- Analytical Writing: 1 essay task, 30 minutes
- Verbal Reasoning: Two sections with 12 and 15 questions, taking 18 and 23 minutes respectively
- Quantitative Reasoning: Two sections with 12 and 15 questions, taking 21 and 26 minutes respectively
Total testing time is 1 hour and 58 minutes. There are no breaks between sections. The Verbal and Quantitative sections are section-adaptive, meaning your performance on the first section of each type determines the difficulty of the second. The on-screen calculator is available during the Quantitative sections, so you don’t need to bring your own.
Register Through Your ETS Account
All GRE registration goes through ETS, the organization that makes and administers the test. Go to ets.org and create an ETS account if you don’t already have one. You’ll enter your legal name exactly as it appears on the ID you plan to use on test day. Even a small mismatch (a missing middle name, for example) can cause problems at check-in.
Once your account is set up, you can browse available test dates and locations, or select the at-home option. Registration is $220 for most test takers. If you need to reschedule after registering, there’s a $55 fee. ETS also offers a fee reduction program for test takers who can demonstrate financial need, so check whether you qualify before paying full price.
You can register by phone as an alternative, though online registration is faster and lets you see real-time seat availability.
Choose: Test Center or At Home
The GRE can be taken at a Prometric test center or at home with a live proctor watching through your webcam. The content, scoring, and score validity are identical for both options. The choice comes down to your environment and comfort level.
Test Center
At a test center, you check in with your ID, store personal items in a locker, and sit at a provided workstation. Scratch paper and pencils are supplied. The environment is controlled and quiet, which some people find helpful for focus. The downside is that you’re bound to available dates and locations, and you may need to travel.
At Home
Testing at home offers more scheduling flexibility, but the technical and environmental requirements are strict. You need a desktop or laptop computer running Windows 11 or higher, or Mac OS 11 or higher, with the Chrome browser installed. Tablets, Chromebooks, and Microsoft Surface Pro devices are not allowed, and you can’t use dual monitors.
You’ll need a working microphone and speakers (headsets and earphones are not permitted) and a webcam that can show a full 360-degree view of your room before the test begins. Starting in early 2026, ETS also requires a second camera via a smartphone or tablet propped on a stand, providing an additional angle of your workspace.
For note-taking, regular paper and pens are off limits. You can use a small whiteboard with an erasable marker, or a single sheet of paper inside a transparent sheet protector with an erasable marker. At the end of the test, you’ll show the proctor that you’ve erased everything.
Your testing room must be private, well lit, and free of other people. Avoid wearing jewelry, hair accessories, or anything that could raise a flag during the security check. You should also download the ETS Secure Browser ahead of time and run the equipment check to confirm your setup works.
If you’re registering for an at-home test booked on or after March 31, 2026, you’ll need to complete identity verification through the IDVaaS app at least 72 hours before your test date. If you register with less than 72 hours to spare, verify immediately after scheduling.
Prepare Before Test Day
Most test takers spend between four and twelve weeks preparing, depending on how far their starting scores are from their target. A diagnostic practice test is the best way to figure out where you stand. ETS offers free practice tests through its POWERPREP software, which uses real past questions and mimics the actual test interface.
For Verbal Reasoning, the test emphasizes reading comprehension and vocabulary in context. Building vocabulary through flashcards or reading-heavy prep is helpful, but practicing passage-based questions matters more than memorizing word lists. The questions test your ability to analyze arguments, identify assumptions, and distinguish between similar answer choices under time pressure.
For Quantitative Reasoning, the math tops out at roughly a high school algebra and geometry level, but the questions are designed to be tricky rather than computationally hard. Focus on number properties, ratios, data interpretation, and word problems. If it’s been years since you’ve done math, budget extra time for brushing up on fundamentals before moving to timed practice.
For Analytical Writing, you’ll write one “Analyze an Issue” essay in 30 minutes. ETS publishes its entire pool of possible essay prompts online, so you can practice with the exact topics you might see. Graders look for clear reasoning, well-developed examples, and organized structure rather than fancy prose.
Timed practice is essential. The per-section time limits are tight, especially for Verbal Reasoning, where you have roughly 90 seconds per question. Practicing under realistic time constraints helps you build pacing instincts so you’re not guessing on the last few questions.
What Happens on Test Day
At a test center, arrive at least 30 minutes early. You’ll present your ID, have your photo taken, and go through a security check before being seated. At home, log in to your ETS account about 15 minutes before your appointment. A proctor will verify your ID, ask you to show your room and desk surface via webcam, and then unlock the test.
The sections always appear in the same order: Analytical Writing first, then Verbal and Quantitative sections alternating. You can move freely within a section (skipping questions and returning to them), but once a section ends, you can’t go back to it.
At the end of the test, you’ll see your unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores on screen immediately. At that point, you have the option to cancel your scores if you feel the test went poorly. If you cancel, no scores are reported and no record of that test appears on future score reports. If you accept, you’ll then choose which institutions should receive your scores.
How Scores Are Reported
Official scores, including your Analytical Writing score, become available in your ETS account 8 to 10 days after the test. Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning are each scored on a scale of 130 to 170 in one-point increments. Analytical Writing is scored on a scale of 0 to 6 in half-point increments.
When you register, your fee includes sending scores to up to four graduate programs. You can add more recipients later for an additional per-report fee. ETS uses a feature called ScoreSelect that gives you control over which test dates’ scores get sent. If you’ve taken the GRE more than once, you can choose to send only your best set of scores. The institutions receiving your report won’t see scores you chose not to share, and they won’t even know you took the test on other dates.
Retaking the GRE
You can take the GRE up to five times within any rolling 12-month period, with at least 21 days between attempts. Each attempt requires a new registration and full fee. Since ScoreSelect lets you control which scores programs see, retaking the test carries little risk. If your second attempt goes worse than your first, you simply send the earlier scores.
Before retaking, compare your section scores to identify where the biggest gains are possible. If your Verbal score is already strong but Quantitative lagged, focusing your next round of prep entirely on math will be more efficient than splitting your time evenly.