GRE Exam Eligibility Criteria: Know Before You Apply

There is no specific eligibility criteria for the GRE exam. Students of any age and with any educational background can take the Graduate Record Examination. However, it is recommended that the test-takers must have a valid UG degree as the GRE test is taken by students who wish to pursue their Masters or other PG courses abroad.

A strong GRE score can give you an edge, whether you're pursuing business, law, or science. Before diving into your GRE preparation, it's crucial to be aware of the GRE eligibility requirements, including age limits, educational qualifications, and necessary documents. In this article, we'll outline the GRE 2025 eligibility criteria, provide information on top universities accepting GRE scores, share preparation tips, and more. Let's begin!    

Latest Update on GRE exam:   GRE duration is shortened to just 2 hours which was previously under 4 hours w.e.f from September 2023, as notified by ETS- the conducting body of GRE. The shorter version of the GRE test includes 26 fewer Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning questions and only one Analytical Writing essay helping reduce test-taking fatigue.

GRE Exam Eligibility 2026

GRE does not have any eligibility criteria. Aspiring graduate students willing to go for MBA, law school, master’s degree, and Ph.D programs abroad can take the GRE test. Continue reading to know category-wise GRE eligibility requirements. 

What is the age limit to be eligible for the GRE Exam?

Abroad universities don’t have upper age limit restrictions to pursue higher education like MS, MBA, or post-doctoral studies. Hence, ETS, the conducting body of the GRE did not set any age limit. In other words, any candidate irrespective of their age can register for the GRE exam because there is no age limit.

What is the Educational Qualification required to take the GRE test?

There is no mandatory qualification needed to take the GRE. Well, before knowing about minimal educational requirements, it should be noted that the GRE doesn’t have any specific eligibility criteria. All interested aspirants have access to attempt the GRE. But, as you know, the GRE test is exclusively for master’s admissions abroad so candidates should have an undergraduate degree in the relevant field of study. After all, it is the primary requirement to study master’s at top universities overseas.

Also, remember that all the universities and programs abroad accept GRE scores. Hence you should do thorough research and proper planning before you appear for the test.

Now you may ask, Can anyone take the GRE exam regardless of Nationality? Yes, there is no eligibility restriction on the nationality of the GRE test taker. Candidates belonging to all nationalities can take the GRE exam. Now let’s check the required documents for GRE registration.

What documents are accepted to be eligible for the GRE Exam?

At present, only a valid original passport with your name, photograph, and signature is being accepted as your primary ID proof for the GRE exam. Although there is no restricted age limit and educational qualifications, presenting a valid ID is necessary to prove your GRE eligibility. Hence Indian students must have their valid Indian passports during the GRE registration process and also must carry it to the GRE Test center for identification verification purposes. Note that no other documents are accepted as a part of the GRE eligibility criteria. 

As far as the GRE is concerned, the ID you presented must fulfill these criteria:

• It must be original. Scanned photocopies of ID are strictly prohibited. Besides, You should show your ID in physical form only for verification, showing images through mobile or any electronic devices is not allowed.
• Your ID must be government-issued which proves your citizenship. Also, your name in your ID must match the one you used for GRE registration. Even a spelling mistake will automatically disqualify you from appearing on the test.
• The signature and photograph in the ID must be clear and identifiable.
• Expired passports are not accepted as valid ID proof. Hence, check the expiry date of your ID card before using it for the GRE exam.

Also check out: What makes GRE hard? And how you can succeed

Am I eligible to Re-attempt the GRE test?

Yes, you are eligible to re-attempt the GRE test provided with a few conditions. It is clearly given on the ETS website that candidates are eligible to attempt the GRE exam only 5 times in a rolling year, with at least 21 days of cooling off period between the consecutive GRE test attempts. Candidates can utilize these 21 days to prepare better and clear any existing gaps in the GRE preparation strategy. ETS allows the students to retake the GRE test if they are not satisfied with their performance or if they did not meet the required score range.

Do gap years affect my GRE Exam Eligibility?

No, it does not affect your eligibility to take the GRE exam. Candidates often drop one or two years to prepare for the competitive exams or in general to make preparations for studying abroad. 

What is the Eligibility to Take the GRE at Home?

To be eligible for the GRE, test takers must be at least 18 years old on the day of the test. If the student is a minor, he/she must submit a written permission form duly signed by a parent or guardian to take the test. GRE General test at home facility was launched by the ETS (Educational Testing Service) during the 2020 pandemic and still goes on. It is a safe and convenient option for test takers who prefer to take their test at home rather than at a test center. 
However, there are a few criteria to be remembered to enjoy a seamless GRE at Home experience. They are as follows:

• Candidates have to use their laptop or computer to take the exam. Smartphone usage for exams is not preferable.
• Avoid using headphones, earbuds, etc., during the exam.
• All internal and external communications must only be done using a speaker.
• The room has to be quiet without any external noise or distractions.
• Have a proper desk and chair for the test and position yourself in such a way that the proctor can see you directly.
• Note-taking on another sheet of paper is not allowed. You must erase all the extra notes and show the same to the proctor.
• The candidate should dress properly for the test and your laptop/computer’s webcam must give a clear view of you and your background.
• Candidates are not allowed to eat or drink during the test.

Now that you are clear about the requirements, Are you planning to take the GRE? Check out upcoming GRE exam dates here. 

GRE exam is designed for students of all categories, even for people who are physically disabled. Let’s see what’s the GRE exam eligibility criteria for disabled candidates.

What is GRE Exam Eligibility for Disabled Candidates?

The GRE exam is accessible to all candidates regardless of disability. Specially disabled students must fill out a testing accommodation request form and then the same should be sent to the ETS Disability Services. The accommodations include extended tests, breaks between tests, assistance during the exam, etc.
Students under this category also need to submit the below-mentioned list of documents to prove their eligibility criteria for the GRE exam:

• Mention in a letter the state of disability he/she has and the accommodation they need
• Provide educational, developmental, and medical history details.
• Specify the list of all test equipments
• Outline the list of challenges faced by the candidate due to disability when they write the exam, etc.

Well, After you take the GRE, how long are the scores valid? They're valid for 5 years, enabling you to submit them to top universities abroad for higher studies within that timeframe. Now let’s see the list of top countries and universities worldwide accepting GRE scores.

Which Country requires GRE exam?

The GRE  is the most widely used Master’s admission examination in popular student destinations like the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Germany. It is a standardized test required for postgraduate admission to colleges in English-speaking countries. 

GRE Eligibility 2026: Top Universities Accepting GRE scores

Did you know that GRE scores are recognized by 1300+ B-Schools and 80+ Law schools globally? A good GRE score opens doors for admission to your desired university. GRE scores required for higher studies vary for different courses and universities. Hence we advise you to visit the website of your desired university for the targeted score to aim. Overall, for any college or course, the cutoff for the GRE relies on parameters like the number of test-takers, university rankings, number of seats available, etc.

In this section, we gave you the list of top QS world-ranking universities accepting the GRE along with their minimum GRE score eligibility for admissions:

University Name	GRE Score Eligibility
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	325 & above
University of Cambridge	320 - 400
University of Oxford	310 or above
Harvard University	300 & above
Stanford University	325 & above
Imperial College London	315 & above
ETH Zurich	310 & above
National University of Singapore (NUS)	319 & above
UCL	320 or above
University of Toronto	300 & above
University of Pennsylvania	310 & above

Also, check out: GRE accepting universities in USA

Do you know besides the USA and UK, the other country Canada also accepts the GRE scores? To know more about it check: GRE Requirements for MS in Canada.

Preparing for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Now that you are well aware of the eligibility requirements for the GRE, it’s time for you to start preparing for the exam. Well, every test taker holds a unique style of preparation, but ultimately the way you plan your preparation highly influences your success.
Hence we listed below some of the quick GRE preparation tips for you to reach your targeted score hassle-free:

• Create a study schedule and strictly follow it.
• Understand the GRE exam syllabus and pattern, and then gather all the relevant study materials related to it.
• Once you start preparing, give extra time to the sections you find challenging.
• Take multiple practice tests. It reflects the true level of your preparedness.
• On the test day be calm and stay confident.

According to the Educational Testing Service (ETS), there are no set eligibility requirements for taking the Graduate Record Examination. Students from diverse educational backgrounds can sit for the GRE exam as there is no age limit as well. Whether you've studied Mechanical, Computer Science, Biotech, Data Science, B.Com, MBA, History, or Economics, you're eligible. While ETS has relaxed GRE eligibility criteria, competition is fierce, especially for the 2026 batch. Achieving top scores requires proper guidance and coaching. Consider enrolling in Kanan International for streamlined success.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the full form of GRE?

The full form of the GRE is the Graduate Record Examination. The GRE is a standardized test aimed at the postgrdaduate admission process by most US, UK, Ireland, and Australian Universities.

2. What is the eligibility for the GRE for Indian students?

There are no specific GRE eligibility criteria imposed by ETS. Any individual can register for this GRE exam, regardless of age or qualifications. However, candidates who are applying for master’s courses can take the GRE test.

3. Can I give GRE after 12th?

Yes, as there is no specific qualification mentioned as GRE exam eligibility even in the 2026 batch, you can write the GRE exam after 12th.

4. Is GRE only for engineering students?

The GRE exam is not different for different degrees. It is a common test conducted for all students seeking admission to study in US universities across all degrees. For instance, GRE exam pattern for Engineering will be the same as the one for the Business course. The GRE exam will be in English and is conducted by ETS. 

5. What are the types of the GRE exam?

There are two types of GRE exam - the GRE general exam and the GRE subject exam. Students must check the requirements of the colleges which they prefer to join for higher education. Based on the requirements, students can write the GRE exam - either general or the subject test. GRE General Test is the prime choice of most prestigious colleges regarding eligibility.

6.  How much does a GRE exam cost in India?

The GRE exam fee in India is INR ₹22,000. The GRE Subject test fee is INR 14,500 in Indian rupees. However, for rescheduling and to change the test centre, you must pay a separate fee. 

7. Can a 3rd year student give GRE?

There is no restriction on age or qualification for candidates appearing for the GRE. However, you need to produce identity proof when appearing for the exam. In India, the passport is the only document acceptable as a valid proof of identity.