GRE Eligibility Criteria 2025: Everything You Need to Know

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardised test accepted by many graduate schools worldwide as part of their admissions process. Administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the GRE is required for applicants seeking admission to master’s, MBA, PhD, and other professional programmes, particularly in the United States and other leading study destinations.

With the 2025 intake approaching, it is important to understand the GRE Eligibility Criteria and other essential requirements for prospective test-takers. In this article, we provide comprehensive information on GRE qualification, registration, required documents, types of GRE, and more.

Who Can Take the GRE in 2025? Eligibility Explained

Students who take the GRE are in their last year of an undergraduate course or are graduates. The reason behind this is that to gain admission into the postgraduate programs, universities usually demand that the applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent). So even though ETS does not limit the test-taking ability of anyone, the university that you are applying to may have academic requirements.

Is there any age limit?

The GRE has no age bar and this is one of the most accommodating features of this exam. There is no upper or lower age limit required to register and take the GRE. Your age doesn’t matter in regards to your eligibility, as long as you are just out of college or you are in the middle of your career shift, you are free to give the test a shot.

The fact that most world universities do not mention the age limit in graduate admissions also allows candidates of any age to take the GRE at any time when they consider themselves prepared.

Education Qualification

ETS does not require a particular degree to take the GRE. Nonetheless, the exam is understandably targeted at individuals who have attained or are attaining undergraduate degrees since it is a passport to graduate-level programmes.

The trick is that not every university or every course requires a GRE score to get admitted. Whereas it is taken as a gauge of academic preparedness in some institutions, it has been optionalised in others, particularly in recent years. Therefore, the necessity of taking the GRE or not will be determined solely by the university you are aiming at and the course you have chosen.

What is the GRE Test Limit in 2025?

Require more than a single attempt at the GRE? No problem. You may take the GRE General Test five times in any rolling 12 months at ETS. The hitch? Two attempts must be separated by a minimum of 21 days.

This 21-day break is not only compulsory but also an excellent chance to analyse your past performance, change your preparation plan, and improve your weak sides.

And what if you took some gap years before deciding to apply abroad? No stress. Your GRE eligibility is not affected by your academic breaks. You can also take the test at your own pace as long as you are prepared and willing.

Types of GRE Exam 2025

So, when you plan your GRE adventure, you should be aware that there are two different versions of the test, meant to serve various academic purposes and admission needs.

1. GRE General Test

Of the two, the GRE General Test is the one more frequently taken, and it is also commonly accepted by graduate and business schools worldwide. It tests your Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing are the skills that are deemed necessary irrespective of your major area of study.

The best thing about it is that it is available throughout the year. The GRE General Test is offered on a date and at a place (or even at home) that is convenient to you. Due to its wide usage, it is the preferred choice of test by most students who intend on applying to programs in disciplines such as engineering, business, social sciences or humanities.

2. GRE Subject Test

The GRE Subject Test might be a better choice in case you are applying to a program that requires a deeper understanding of a particular area. This test will help to determine your level of knowledge in one of the following areas:

Mathematics
Physics
Psychology

The Subject Test is administered on set dates in the year, unlike the General Test, more like the classic entrance exams. It may be needed for more specialised or research-focused graduate degrees, where mastery of a subject is important.

Even though ETS does not specify strict eligibility criteria for the Subject Test, it is strongly advised that candidates must have an excellent academic background in the subject that they intend to be tested in.

GRE Registration 2025: Step-by-step Guide

Are you ready to make the plunge into your graduate dream? GRE registration is easy, efficient and completely Web-based. If you are ready to take the GRE General Test or a Subject Test, follow these steps, and you will be able to register without any problems:

Steps to register for the GRE Exam 2025

Step 1: Go to the ETS official site at ets.org/mygre and create a new account. This will serve as your dashboard for all things GRE: registration, results and more.

Step 2: Choose whether you are taking the GRE General Test or one of the GRE Subject Tests (Math, Physics or Psychology). Be sure to check which one is required by your dream university.

Step 3: Fill up your profile with the correct personal details according to your official ID. These will be checked later on, so accuracy is of primary importance.

Step 4: Select a test date and time frame your preparation schedule around it, as well as identify a local GRE testing centre. You will also find the GRE at Home options in case it is more convenient for you.

Step 5: Complete the procedure by submitting the GRE fee through your choice of payment option.
However, in India, the GRE Fees will be
GRE General Test: 22500.
GRE Subject Test: 14500

Documents Required to Carry on the GRE Exam 2025

ETS has a strict identification policy to ensure the integrity of the exam process. Your ID document must fulfil all of the following requirements during registration and on test day:

Physical ID: Bring the actual ID- no photocopy, scanned copies or digital copies. Electronic IDs are not accepted at all.

No other ID shall be accepted except those issued by the government.
Your ID has to be provided by a reputable national, state or provincial government.
Indian candidates must have a valid Indian passport.

Legal Documents: Documents that are expired will not be accepted. Ensure that you have an up-to-date and valid passport on the day of your test.

Valid ID: Your ID should have the same name as what you registered with when you registered GRE, with no variations or misspellings.

Recent, Crystal Clear Photo: Your current and easily identifiable photo should be placed in the ID.

Signature Required: Your signature must be affixed on the ID and should be similar to the one provided when you were registering.

GRE at Home 2025

Would you rather take the GRE in the comfort of your home? Great news, the GRE at Home edition is equally accessible as the test centre version. ETS has seen to it that the candidates will be able to remotely take the exam without altering the eligibility requirements.

Applying to a master’s degree program, a PhD or just browsing the international academic scene, the GRE at Home is accessible to everyone, no matter what your academic level is. No formal academic limitations apply, either–you simply have to satisfy the minimum system and environment requirements.

GRE at Home: Technical & Environment Requirements

To have a pleasant and safe testing process, you will need the following:

Device
A desktop or a laptop (tablets and mobile phones are not permitted)

Operating System:

Windows 10/Or above
macOS X 10.13 / higher

Browser:
Chrome or Firefox (the most recent version is desirable).

Video & Sound:
functional webcam (built-in or external) to display a 360-degree view of the room before the beginning of the test
A microphone (internal or external) to talk with the online proctor

Valid ID
You will be required to show a government photo identity (such as a passport) whose name must correspond with the one you registered with. The proctor will check this life before you start your test.

Silence & Personal Area
It is obligatory to have a peaceful, bright room without distractions.
The room should not have any other individual during the test.
No background noise or distractions will be allowed- your test room will be live monitored through video and audio.

Conclusion

In 2025, the GRE will be an important benchmark in the lives of students intending to Study Abroad. The test is intended to be inclusive of everyone with ETS flexibilities in eligibility requirements, no age restrictions, and the possibility to have the test at home. But, it is also true that different universities could have certain expectations; be it academic credentials, requirements in subject tests, or even cut-offs in score limits.

Whether it is early registration, organised preparation, and knowledge about ID and technical requirements, everything counts. Inclusivity is also encouraged by ETS since they provide accommodations to disabled candidates and the GRE At Home edition to those who desire extra convenience.

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