The GRE registration process is straightforward once you know where to go and what to expect. The fee is $220 worldwide ($231.30 if you are testing in China). You will need a government-issued ID, a payment method, and a clear sense of which testing format you want before you sit down to register.
Create Your ETS Account
Everything starts at ets.org. You need an ETS account to register, view scores, and send score reports. If you have tested with ETS before (SAT, TOEFL, etc.), you likely already have one. Use the same account.
When creating your account, the name you enter must match your government-issued ID exactly. This is not a detail to rush through. If your name on the ETS account differs from your ID on test day, you will be turned away. At-home testing has zero flexibility on this. Use your full legal name, spelled exactly as it appears on the ID you plan to bring.
Choose Your Test Format
You have two options: a testing center or at home. Both formats deliver the same test, use the same scoring scale, and produce results that schools accept identically. The differences are logistical.
At a testing center, you get scratch paper provided by the facility, a controlled environment, and in-person staff. At home, you test on your own computer with a human proctor monitoring via webcam. You need a second camera (a smartphone works) since January 5, 2026, and for tests booked after March 31, 2026, you will complete identity verification through the IDVaaS app 72 hours before your test.
There is a full breakdown of both options in the GRE at Home vs. Test Center guide if you want to work through the tradeoffs before registering.
Find and Select a Date
Once logged in, go to "Register for a Test" and select the GRE General Test. You will be prompted to choose at home or test center. From there you can search available dates.
At-home testing slots open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, giving you significant scheduling flexibility. Test centers have fixed appointment slots and vary by location and demand. If you are targeting a specific application deadline, work backward from when you need your official scores to arrive. Scores are available 8 to 10 days after your test date, and sending them to programs takes additional time.
Book at least two to four weeks out so you have preparation time. If you are earlier in your prep cycle, take the GRE diagnostic first to establish a baseline, then set a target date that gives you enough time to close the gap.
Select Your Test Centers or Confirm At-Home Eligibility
For test center registration, enter your zip code or city to see available locations and dates. Select the one that works and proceed to payment.
For at-home, confirm your setup meets the requirements before paying:
- Windows 11 or newer, or Mac OS 11 or newer
- Chrome browser (other browsers are not accepted)
- Desktop or laptop only (no tablets, no Chromebooks)
- Single monitor
- Internal or external speaker (no headsets)
- Internal or external microphone (not part of a headset)
- Moveable camera capable of showing a 360-degree room view
- Second camera device (smartphone) for room scan
You will not be able to test at home if your machine does not meet these specs. Confirm before you pay.
Pay the Fee
The standard fee is $220. In China it is $231.30. Payment is accepted by credit card, debit card, or PayPal.
If you qualify for the fee reduction program, do not register yet. Apply for the reduction first, wait for your voucher, and then register using it. The full eligibility criteria and application process are covered in the GRE fee waiver guide. The reduction brings the cost down to $100, so it is worth the two weeks it takes to process.
After payment, you will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details. Save it.
Order Score Reports
When registering, you will have the option to send your scores to up to four programs for free. These are sent after your test using whatever scores ETS has on file for you.
You can designate these programs during registration or at any point up to when you start your test. After the test starts, sending scores to additional programs costs $40 each. If you are applying to more than four programs and want to use ScoreSelect, think through your target school list before test day so you can maximize the free sends.
Accommodations: Apply First, Register Second
If you need accommodations (extended time, extra breaks, screen magnification, or others), do not register before your accommodations are approved. ETS processes accommodation requests separately, and approval can take up to six weeks. Registering before approval and then waiting can create scheduling conflicts. The process is detailed in the GRE accommodations guide.
Rescheduling and Cancellation
If you need to change your date after registering, rescheduling costs $55 if done more than four days before the test. Changes within four days of the test are not permitted for at-home, and test center policies vary by location.
If you cancel, the refund is partial. ETS keeps a portion of the fee regardless of when you cancel. The specific amounts are on the ETS website and subject to change, so check the current policy at the time of your registration.
What Happens After You Register
You will receive a confirmation email immediately. For at-home testing booked after March 31, 2026, watch for instructions to complete IDVaaS identity verification, which must be done 72 hours before your test time. Missing this step can prevent you from testing.
In the weeks before your test, use your ETS account to verify your appointment details and confirm your ID situation is in order. If anything about your name, ID, or tech setup changes between registration and test day, address it immediately through ETS support.
Once you are registered, the work shifts entirely to preparation. The GRE study plan walks through how to structure your prep from where you are now to test day.