GRE Exam Dates
If you are planning to study abroad, securing the right GRE exam dates is your first strategic move. Since today is December 31, 2025, most of you are likely looking at the 2026 calendar to finalize your applications. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is unique because, unlike many other entrance exams, it doesn’t have one single “exam day.”
Instead, ETS (the conducting body) offers GRE test dates around the clock. You have two main choices: taking the test at a designated center (Prometric) or taking the GRE at Home.
- Center-Based: These GRE exam dates are available throughout the year but depend on seat availability in your specific city (like Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore).
- Home-Based: These offer maximum flexibility with GRE exam slots available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Understanding how GRE slot booking works ensures you don’t miss university deadlines. Whether you are targeting the Fall or Spring intake, knowing the GRE dates availability in advance helps you plan your preparation and retakes effectively.
GRE Exam Dates 2026 – Availability Table for Indian Students
To help you plan, we have listed the GRE exam dates trends for the upcoming year. While GRE registration dates are open all year, specific centers fill up fast.
Test Type | GRE Dates | Frequency | Best Booking Window |
GRE General Test (Center) | Available Year-round | 5-7 days a week (varies by city) | 60–90 days in advance |
GRE General Test (Home) | All 365 Days | 24/7 (Rolling GRE exam slots) | 24 hours in advance |
GRE Subject Test | April, September, October | 3 testing windows per year | 2 months in advance |
Notes
- GRE exam dates for the Subject Test are fixed. For example, the April window is from April 20, 2026, to May 3, 2026.
- The GRE exam slots for the Home edition are unlimited, but you must meet technical requirements.
- City-specific GRE test dates (like in Chennai or Hyderabad) can get booked quickly during peak application seasons.
GRE Slot Booking 2026 – How to Book GRE Exam Slots Online?
Completing your GRE slot booking is a straightforward online process. However, to secure your preferred GRE exam dates, follow these steps carefully:
- Create an Account: Log in to the official ETS website.
- Select Test Type: Choose “General Test” or “Subject Test.”
- Choose Location: Select “Test Center” or “Home” to view relevant GRE exam slots.
- Find Your City: If you choose a center, enter your city (e.g., Pune, Kolkata). You will see a calendar with available GRE dates.
- Select Date & Time: Click on a date to see available GRE exam slots (morning or afternoon).
- Confirm & Pay: Pay the fee of INR 22,000 to finalize your GRE slot booking.
Additional Notes
- You cannot hold GRE exam slots without payment.
- Ensure your name matches your Passport exactly during GRE slot booking.
GRE Registration Dates 2026 – When Should You Register?
Technically, there are no specific “opening” or “closing” GRE registration dates. The portal is open 24/7. However, timing is everything.
- Ideal Timeline: Book your GRE exam dates at least 2-3 months before your first university deadline.
- Processing Time: Scores take 8-10 days to arrive. If your deadline is November 1st, your last safe GRE test dates would be around October 20th.
- Retake Buffer: If you think you might need a second attempt, book your first GRE registration dates early. You must wait 21 days between attempts.
Month-Wise GRE Exam Dates & Availability Pattern (India)
Below is the specific schedule for GRE exam dates in 2026 for major Indian cities. Check these carefully before planning your GRE slot booking.
- Delhi NCR (Gurgaon/Defense Colony)
- January 2026: 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30.
- February 2026: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27.
- March 2026: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31.
- Mumbai (Goregaon/Mulund)
- January 2026: 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30.
- February 2026: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27.
- March 2026: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31.
- Bengaluru (Whitefield/Koramangala)
- January 2026: 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30.
- February 2026: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27.
- March 2026: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31.
- Hyderabad (Gachibowli)
- January 2026: 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30.
- February 2026: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26.
- March 2026: 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31.
- Chennai (Kodambakkam)
- January 2026: 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30.
- February 2026: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27.
- March 2026: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31.
GRE Test Dates vs GRE Exam Slots – What’s the Difference?
Students often confuse GRE test dates with GRE exam slots. Here is the difference:
- GRE Test Dates: These are the specific calendar days (e.g., January 5, 2026) when the test is conducted.
- GRE Exam Slots: These are the specific timings available on those dates (e.g., 9:00 AM or 1:30 PM).
When you proceed with GRE slot booking, you first pick the date, and then you pick the slot. For the Home Edition, GRE exam slots are available round-the-clock, whereas center-based GRE exam dates usually have fixed morning and afternoon slots.
How to Choose the Best GRE Dates for Your Target Universities?
Selecting the right GRE exam dates can impact your admission chances.
- Check Deadlines: If your university deadline is Dec 15, do not choose GRE dates later than Dec 1.
- Preparation Time: Be realistic. If you start studying today, book GRE registration dates for 3 months from now.
- Retake Strategy: Experts suggest keeping a 21-day gap. If you want to take the test twice, your first GRE exam dates should be 45 days before your application deadline.
GRE Exam Dates & Fees 2026 – Complete Table
Before finalizing your GRE registration dates, you must be aware of the costs involved in India.
Category | Fee (Approx) |
GRE General Test | INR 22,000 |
GRE Subject Test | INR 14,500 |
Rescheduling Fee | INR 5,000 |
Late Registration | Not applicable (Rolling GRE dates) |
Bullet Points
- The fee is standard regardless of which GRE exam dates you choose.
- If you need to change your GRE test dates, do it at least 4 days in advance.
- GRE slot booking payments can be made via UPI, Credit/Debit cards in India.
Required Documents for GRE Slot Booking & Registration
You cannot complete your GRE slot booking without the right ID.
- Valid Passport: This is the only primary ID accepted for GRE exam dates in India.
- No Photocopies: You must bring the original passport on your GRE test dates.
Name Match: Ensure the name used for GRE registration dates matches your passport exactly.
GRE Exam Dates for GRE at Home – Daily Slots Available
If you cannot find suitable center-based GRE exam dates in your city, the Home Edition is a lifesaver. GRE exam dates for the home version are available every single day.
- January 2026: 1, 2, 3… up to 31 (All days).
- February 2026: 1, 2, 3… up to 28 (All days).
- March 2026: 1, 2, 3… up to 31 (All days).
- April 2026: 1, 2, 3… up to 30 (All days).
Notes
- The exam format on these GRE dates is identical to the center-based test.
- Scores from Home-based GRE test dates are accepted by thousands of universities globally.
Tips to Book GRE Test Dates Successfully (India 2026)
To ensure a smooth experience with GRE exam dates, follow these tips:
- Book Early: For cities like Mumbai and Delhi, book GRE exam dates 2 months prior.
- Check Multiple Centers: If GRE dates are full in the “Prometric” center, check other centers like “Council for American Education” or “Grad-Dreams.”
- Subject Tests: Remember, GRE exam dates for Subject tests (Math, Physics) are only in specific windows. For 2026, the first window is April 20 to May 3.
Common Issues During GRE Slot Booking & How to Fix Them
Sometimes, you might face issues while looking for GRE exam dates.
- “No Seats Available”: If you see this for center-based GRE test dates, switch to the Home Edition.
- Payment Failure: This is common during GRE slot booking. Use an international card or UPI.
- Date Changes: If you need to postpone, log in to your ETS account and reschedule. You cannot change GRE exam slots via email.
Conclusion
Choosing the right GRE exam dates is a small but critical step in your study abroad journey. With the flexibility of GRE slot booking in 2026, you have the power to schedule the test when you are most ready.
Don’t wait until the last minute. Check the GRE registration dates, ensure your passport is valid, and secure your GRE exam slots today. A well-planned schedule leads to a stress-free exam experience!
Feel free to reach via contact us form.
Have a question?
Yes, GRE exam dates for the General Test are available throughout the year. However, specific GRE exam slots depend on the center’s schedule.
It is recommended to complete your GRE slot booking 60 to 90 days in advance, especially for dates between August and December.
GRE test dates are the specific days (e.g., Jan 5th), while GRE exam slots are the specific times (e.g., 10:00 AM) on those days.
Yes, you can change your GRE exam dates. You must reschedule at least 4 days before the test and pay a fee of INR 5,000.
Yes, GRE exam slots for the Home Edition are available 24/7, 7 days a week.
Some smaller cities have fewer testing days. If GRE dates are unavailable, check the nearest metro city or opt for the Home Edition.
Yes, a valid original Passport is mandatory for GRE slot booking and entry on the exam day.
You can take the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times in a rolling 12-month period, regardless of the GRE exam dates you choose.
No, GRE exam dates for Subject Tests are fixed. The 2026 window opens from April 20 to May 3.
You can find real-time GRE test dates by creating an account on the ETS website and searching by city.
No, you can try GRE slot booking immediately again if a payment fails.
No, you can try GRE slot booking immediately again if a payment fails.
No, the difficulty level is consistent regardless of which GRE dates or GRE exam slots you choose.
No, the difficulty level is consistent regardless of which GRE dates or GRE exam slots you choose.
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