GRE 2026
Graduate Record Examination (General Test)
Graduate Record Examination, required for MS and engineering programs globally.
- Registration fee
- ₹22,000
- Test duration
- 3 hours 45 minutes
- Score valid for
- 5 Years
- Held
- Available year-round
Fee and schedule last checked against the official source in August 2026. Verify on the official site
GRE exam pattern
Scored on 260-340 combined, plus Analytical Writing 0-6.
Analytical Writing
One "Analyse an Issue" essay.
Verbal Reasoning
Two sections: reading comprehension and text completion.
Quantitative Reasoning
Two sections: arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis, on-screen calculator provided.
What score should you aim for?
310 - 325 / 340
This is the band competitive programmes typically look for — not a cut-off, and not a guarantee of admission. Individual departments publish their own requirements, and those are the only figures that bind. Always check the programme page before setting a target.
Who accepts the GRE?
MS, MEng and PhD programmes in the USA and Canada, and a growing number in Europe and Singapore.
Worth knowing before you book
Many US programmes have made the GRE optional since 2021, but a strong quantitative score still helps a funding or assistantship case. Check each department, not the university.
How your score affects an education loan
Lenders assess an education loan mainly on the institution and programme you are admitted to, the co-applicant's income, and any collateral offered. A competitive test score matters because it determines which institutions admit you — and an admission letter from a well-regarded university is what strengthens the application.
Some lenders publish concessions tied to specific institution lists. Those terms vary by lender and change often, so we do not quote a rate here — compare the current offers directly.