GRE Exam Eligibility – What You Must Know in 2026
Are you dreaming of pursuing your master’s degree or PhD abroad? If so, the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is likely the first big step on your checklist. But before you start buying prep books or booking a slot, you probably have a burning question: “Am I even eligible to take this test?”
The good news is that the GRE exam eligibility rules are much more relaxed than most students think. Unlike many Indian competitive exams that have strict age bars or percentage requirements, the graduate record examination eligibility standards are designed to be inclusive. Whether you are a fresh college graduate or a working professional returning to studies after a gap year, this test is open to you.
In this guide, we will break down everything you need to know about GRE exam eligibility in 2026. We will cover age limits, academic requirements, and the specific rules for Indian students so you can register with confidence.
What are the GRE Eligibility Criteria?
When students look for the official GRE eligibility criteria, they are often surprised by what they find, or rather, what they don’t find. The Educational Testing Service (ETS), which conducts the GRE, believes in providing equal opportunities to all aspirants. Therefore, they haven’t set many rigid barriers.
However, just because ETS doesn’t have strict rules doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be prepared. To help you understand the eligibility for GRE test clearly, we have broken down the practical requirements below. Even though the exam is open, you must meet certain conditions to successfully register and sit for the exam.
Here is a quick snapshot of the GRE exam eligibility parameters:
Criterion | Details / Notes |
Age Limit / GRE Eligibility Age | There is no minimum or maximum GRE eligibility age set by ETS. Candidates of any age can register. |
Educational Qualification | ETS does not demand a specific degree. However, since the GRE is for master’s/PhD admission, an undergraduate degree is implied. |
Identification / ID Proof | This is the most critical part of GRE exam eligibility. You must have a valid, original Passport (for Indian students). |
Nationality / Residency | The exam is open to all nationalities. There are no restrictions based on citizenship. |
Key Highlights regarding GRE exam eligibility:
- No Official Prerequisite: ETS states there are no specific GRE eligibility criteria regarding your academic stream (Science, Arts, Commerce).
- Purpose Driven: While anyone can take it, the GRE exam eligibility is practically relevant only if you plan to apply for graduate schools, MBA programs, or doctoral research.
- Gap Years: Having a gap in your education or career does not affect your graduate record examination eligibility.
GRE Eligibility for Indian Students
For students applying from India, there is one specific rule that overrides everything else. When discussing GRE eligibility for indian students, the conversation starts and ends with your identification document.
According to the official ETS policy, the only acceptable ID proof for Indian test-takers is a valid Passport.
- It must be the original physical document (no photocopies or digital scans).
- It must not be expired.
- The name on your Passport must match your GRE exam eligibility registration name exactly (letter for letter).
Many students make the mistake of thinking their Aadhar Card, Driving License, or College ID will work. They will not. If you do not present a valid passport at the test center, you will be denied entry, and your GRE exam eligibility for that day will be voided without a refund.
Academically, the GRE eligibility for indian students usually implies that you are in the final year of your Bachelor’s degree or have already completed a 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 education system. While ETS won’t ask for your degree certificate, the universities you apply to certainly will.
GRE Eligibility: Age, Attempts & Other Conditions
Is there a “right time” to take the GRE? Many aspirants worry about being “too old” or “too young.” Let’s clear up the confusion regarding the GRE eligibility age and attempt limits.
Age Criteria
As mentioned earlier, there is absolutely no upper or lower GRE eligibility age.
- College Students: You can take it in your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year.
- Working Professionals: You can take it at age 30, 40, or even 50.
The GRE exam eligibility is open to everyone because learning has no age limit. However, most test-takers fall in the 18–30 age bracket.
Number of Attempts
While the eligibility for GRE test is open, you cannot take the exam every single day. ETS has a policy to ensure fairness:
- Cooling-off Period: You must wait 21 days between two attempts.
- Yearly Limit: You can take the GRE up to 5 times within any continuous rolling 12-month period.
- Lifetime Limit: There is no lifetime limit on how many times you can establish GRE exam eligibility.
Gap Years
Do you have a gap in your resume? Don’t worry. GRE exam eligibility is not affected by academic or career gaps. In fact, many MBA programs prefer candidates with work experience (and thus, gaps from their college days).
Why is GRE Eligibility Flexible? GRE Exam Eligibility Key Features
You might be wondering, “Why are the GRE eligibility criteria so relaxed?” Most Indian exams like CAT or GATE have strict cut-offs.
The reason lies in the nature of the test. The graduate record examination eligibility is flexible because the GRE is an assessment tool, not a selection tool in itself.
- Global Reach: The test caters to students from thousands of different education systems globally. Setting rigid GRE exam eligibility rules based on one country’s system would be unfair.
- Holistic Admissions: Universities abroad look at your profile holistically. A high GRE score is just one part of the puzzle.
- Diverse Backgrounds: Whether you studied History, Engineering, or Music, you have eligibility for GRE test registration because graduate schools value diverse academic backgrounds.
This flexibility allows you to focus on your preparation rather than worrying about whether you qualify to sit for the paper. As long as you have your passport and the exam fee, your GRE exam eligibility is secured.
When GRE Eligibility May Not Guarantee Admission?
This is a crucial distinction that students often miss. Having GRE exam eligibility allows you to sit for the test, but it does not guarantee that a university will accept you.
While ETS does not ask for your marks, the universities (like MIT, Harvard, or Stanford) definitely have their own GRE eligibility criteria.
Check these University-Level factors
- Minimum GPA: You might have GRE exam eligibility, but if your college GPA is low, top schools might reject you.
- Background: A student with an Arts degree has GRE exam eligibility for a Computer Science master’s, but the university might reject them for lacking technical prerequisites.
GRE Eligibility Scores for Top Universities (Reference)
- MIT: typically looks for 320+ (Quant heavy).
- Harvard/Stanford: Highly competitive; simply having GRE exam eligibility isn’t enough; you need a top-tier score.
Cambridge/Oxford: Accept GRE but place heavy weight on your undergraduate research and grades.
Summary & Key Takeaways
To wrap up, GRE exam eligibility is designed to be accessible. There are no barriers regarding age, specific qualifications, or minimum percentages to simply take the test.
Your Checklist for GRE Exam Eligibility:
- Passport: Ensure you have a valid passport (Critical for GRE eligibility for indian students).
- Goals: Ensure you are targeting a Master’s or PhD program.
- Preparation: Since GRE exam eligibility allows for retakes, plan your schedule to accommodate a second attempt if required.
Focus on your prep, book your slot, and don’t worry about the GRE eligibility criteria, you are likely already eligible!
Conclusion
The GRE eligibility criteria are simple, flexible, and student-friendly. There are no strict rules about age, educational qualification, or nationality, and Indian students have the same opportunities as applicants from any other country. With unlimited attempts, accessible test centres, and support for students with disabilities, the GRE opens doors to top global universities.
Start early, plan your preparation, and take advantage of the flexible GRE eligibility criteria to build a strong study abroad profile.
Feel free to reach via contact us form.
Have a question?
No, there is no set GRE eligibility age limit. ETS allows candidates of all ages to register. However, you should check if the university you are applying to has any age preferences for their specific program.
Technically, no. ETS does not demand to see your degree for GRE exam eligibility. However, since the scores are used for Master’s/PhD admissions, having a bachelor’s degree (or being in the final year) is practically necessary for the score to be useful.
Yes, absolutely! Many students utilize their eligibility for GRE test during their pre-final or final year. This is actually a great strategy as it gives you time to retake the test if needed before admissions deadlines.
For GRE eligibility for indian students, a valid, original Passport is mandatory. Photocopies, expired passports, or other IDs like Aadhar/PAN card are strictly not accepted at the test centers.
Yes. While your GRE exam eligibility remains valid, you can only take the test 5 times in a rolling 12-month period. Also, there must be a gap of at least 21 days between two consecutive attempts.
The primary additional criterion for GRE eligibility for indian students is the passport requirement. Apart from that, Indian students follow the same global graduate record examination eligibility rules as everyone else.
No. You could be from Engineering, Humanities, Commerce, or Medical backgrounds. You all share the same GRE exam eligibility.
The GRE is now shorter (approx 2 hours). The GRE eligibility criteria for this updated format remain exactly the same as before
No. Proof of funds is required for your Student Visa and University Admission, but it is not part of the eligibility for GRE test registration.
No. Your GRE exam eligibility is tied to ETS, not universities. You can send your scores to other universities or retake the exam.
No. The test is the same. Whether you apply for an MBA or an MS in CS, the graduate record examination eligibility remains constant.
Yes. You have GRE exam eligibility. However, check if your US university accepts 10+2+3 education. Most accept 10+2+4, but the exam itself allows you to sit.
Yes, temporarily. For 21 days after an attempt, you lose your eligibility for GRE test. After 21 days, you are eligible again.
No medical certificate is needed. However, if you need health-related accommodations (extra time, wheelchair access), you must apply for them in advance.
Yes. Your employment status does not impact your GRE exam eligibility.
No. Past academic performance in school does not bar you from GRE exam eligibility. It is a fresh start for your graduate studies.
The GRE exam eligibility to take the test is standard. However, to be eligible for scholarships, you often need a high score (e.g., 320+).
You simply need to check if you have a valid passport and the exam fee. If you have those, you meet the GRE eligibility for indian students.
If your name changes (e.g., after marriage), your ID must match the name you register with. Mismatched names will revoke your GRE exam eligibility at the center.
Yes. The eligibility for GRE test applies globally, and the scores are valid in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and many other countries.
You don’t need a certificate of fluency to register. However, the exam tests high-level English. So while you have GRE exam eligibility, you need strong English skills to score well.
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