What Is the GRE Exam Used For? A Complete Guide for Indian Students

Article Summary

• The GRE, conducted by ETS at a fee of INR 22,000 in India, is accepted in 90+ countries for MS, MBA, and PhD admissions, with scores valid for 5 years and a total test duration of 1 hour 58 minutes covering Verbal Reasoning (130–170), Quantitative Reasoning (130–170), and Analytical Writing (0–6).
• Beyond MS admissions, the GRE serves as a GMAT alternative at top MBA programs, including Harvard, Stanford, and Booth, is accepted by leading law schools like Harvard Law and Columbia Law instead of the LSAT, and can directly unlock merit scholarships, teaching assistantships, and tuition fee waivers for Indian students.
• A score above 300 is considered competitive for most universities, while top schools like Yale and Stanford expect Verbal and Quant scores of 163–166 each; students can attempt the GRE up to 5 times per year with a minimum 21-day gap between attempts, and submitting a strong score remains advantageous even at GRE-optional universities.

If you are planning to study abroad, especially in countries like the United States or Canada, understanding what the GRE is used for is essential. The GRE (Graduate Record Examination), conducted by the Educational Testing Service, is a standardised test that plays a key role in admission to MS, MBA, and PhD programs worldwide.

But the GRE is more than just an entrance exam. It helps universities evaluate your academic readiness. Computer applications from different backgrounds, and even decide on scholarship and funding opportunities. Whether you are a fresh graduate or a working professional, knowing how the GRE is used can help you plan your study abroad journey more strategically and improve your chances of getting into top universities

What Is the GRE Exam?

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is the full name of the test. Students who intend to apply to professional or graduate schools take this test. The following is a summary of important GRE information:

Feature	Detail
Full Form	Graduate Record Examination
Conducted By	Educational Testing Service (ETS)
Accepted In	90+ countries, 1,000+ test centres
Used For	MS, MBA, and PhD admissions
Score Validity	5 years
Test Duration	1 hour 58 minutes
Fee in India (General)	INR 22,000

What Is the GRE Exam Used For?

For students pursuing Master’s, MBA, or PhD programs, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) serves as a global entry point. It gauges your preparedness for graduate-level coursework and is administered by ETS. It involves verbal reasoning, mathematical thinking, and analytical writing.

Types of GRE Exam

Are you planning to pursue an MBA or MS abroad in 2026? The majority of international colleges require the General Test to evaluate candidates’ general preparedness. A score on the Subject Test may be required for specialised programs. This is to confirm in-depth knowledge of math, physics, or psychology. The GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test are the two forms of the test.

Particular	GRE General Test	GRE Subject Test
Duration	1 Hour 58 Minutes	Mathematics (2 Hours 50 Minutes), Physics (2 Hours), and Psychology (2 Hours)
Section	Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing	Mathematics, Physics, Psychology

Also Read: GRE Analytical Writing: Types of Questions, Tips & Samples

What is the GRE Exam Used for?

The GRE is more than just an entrance test; it is a versatile exam that can open doors to multiple academic and career opportunities abroad. Here are the six key purposes of the GRE for Indian students:

MS Admission Abroad (Most Common Use)

Primarily, the GRE is used as an admission criterion for Master’s (MS) courses in foreign countries such as the United States, Canada, and Germany. Even the best universities in the world, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and Carnegie Mellon University, require GRE scores for courses such as Computer Science, Engineering, and Data Science, etc. 

A good GRE score can greatly improve your chances of securing admission into the best universities in the World. 

MBA Admission: GRE as a GMAT Alternative

Today, many business schools worldwide accept GRE scores as an alternative to GMAT scores in their admission processes. Many prestigious business schools, such as Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business, accept GRE scores in their MBA admission process. 

Features	GRE	GMAT
Score Range	260-340	200-800
Section	Verbal, Quant, Writing	Quant, Verbal, Data Insight
Difficulty	Vocabulary focused	Logic & data focused
Best for	MS+ MBA flexibility	MBA-focused applications

If you want flexibility to apply for a Booth MS and MBA program, the GRE is the smarter choice. 

PhD &  Doctoral Program Application 

The GRE is widely used for admission to PhD and research-based programs across STEM, Social Science, and Humanities. Field where GRE is commonly required:

• Engineering & Technology 
• Physics, Mathematics
• Economics, Psychology 
• Literature & Sociology

A high score, especially in Quant or Verbal, can strengthen your academic and research profile. 

Law School Admission in the USA

An increasing number of law schools in the United States now accept GTRE scores instead of the LSAT. Top law schools accepting the GRE include.

• Harvard Law School
• Columbia Law School
• Georgetown University Center

This gives students the flexibility to apply to both law and other graduate programs using a single exam.

Scholarship & Assistantship Eligibility 

A strong GRE score can help you secure financial support, including:

• Merit-based scholarships
• Teaching Assistantship
• Research Assistantships
• Tuition fee waivers

For Indian students, this can significantly reduce the cost of studying abroad, especially in countries like the United States and Canada. 

Strengthening Application at GRE Optional Universities

Many universities have made the GRE optional, but submitting a good score can still give you an edge. You should consider submitting your GRE score if:

• Your GPA is average or below expectations 
• You are applying to a competitive program 
• You want to stand out among applicants

Important: ‘GRE optional’ does not mean ‘GRE irrelevant’. A strong application can still improve your chances of admission and scholarships.

Who Should Take the GRE?

The GRE is a flexible and widely accepted exam designed for students and professionals planning for higher education abroad. Whether you are just finishing college or already working, the GRE can fit multiple academic and career goals. 

• Fresh Graduate: Planning to pursue MS abroad in fields like engineering, business analytics or life sciences.
• Working professional: Looking to switch their career or planning to pursue an MBA abroad. 
• PhD Aspirants: For students aiming for a research-based program (PhD), the GRE is often required or strongly recommended.

Note: There is no official age limit or mandatory educational qualification required by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers the GRE. This means the exam is for individuals from all academic backgrounds and career stages. 

Should You Take the GRE?

Ask yourself these 5 main and simple questions:

1. Are you planning to study abroad (MS, MBA, or PhD)?
2. Are your target universities in the USA, Canada, or Europe?
3. Do your shortlisted programs recommend or require GRE scores?
4. Do you want to improve your chances of a scholarship or funding?
5. Is your academic profile (GPA) not strong enough on its own?

Country-Wise: Where is the GRE Accepted?

The GRE is accepted by universities across major destinations like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and several countries in Europe. Understanding where the GRE is faceted can help you plan your application strategically and get the right universities based on your score. 

Country	Top Universities Requiring GRE	Notes
USA	MIT, Stanford, CMU, Georgia Tech	Most widely required
Canada	University of Toronto, UBC	Many programs accept it
United Kingdom	lmperail College London	Less common but growing
Australia	University of Melbourne	Often optional
Germany	TU Munich, RWTH Aachen (select MS)	Mainly for English-taught programs

Country-Wise: Where Is the GRE Accepted?

The GRE is accepted across top study destinations like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. While it is most widely required in the US, many universities globally now consider GRE scores as part of their admission process, either mandatory or optional. 

Section	Questions	Time	Score Range
Analytical Writing	1 task	30 mins	0–6
Verbal Reasoning	27 questions	41 mins	130–170
Quantitative Reasoning	27 questions	47 mins	130–170

• Analytical Writing: test your ability to analyse arguments and express ideas clearly.
• Verbal Reasoning: Focusing on reading comprehension, vocabulary, and critical reasoning.
• Quantitative Reasoning: Covers basic math, algebra, data analysis, and problem solving. 

GRE General Test vs GRE Subject Test — Which Do You Need?

The GRE offers two types of exams, the General Test and the Subject Test, but most students only need one of them. Choosing the right test depends on your course requirements and university expectations. GRE subject tests are only required for specific programs, mostly in technical or academic research fields. Most students only need to take the General Test. 

What Is a Good GRE Score? (Section-Wise Benchmarks)

A good GRE score depends on the universities and programs you are targeting. However, as a general rule, any score above 300 in the GRE General Test is considered competitive for many universities. Here are the GRE score benchmarks by universities: 

Business School	GRE Verbal	GRE Quant
Yale University	164	166
Stanford University	164	164
MIT (Sloan)	n/a	n/a
Harvard Business School	163	163
University of California at Berkeley (Haas)	161	163
Dartmouth University (Tuck)	161	161
University of Chicago (Booth)	162	163
Columbia University	n/a	n/a

GRE Exam Fees in India 

The GRE fee in India is set by the Educational Testing Service and may change slightly over time. As of 2026, Indian students can expect the following cost structure. 

Fee Types	Amount (INR)
General Test	INR 22,000
Subject Test	INR 14,500
Score Report (per additional school)	INR 2,260
Rescheduling Fee	INR 5,000 (Varies)
Additional Score Report (per university	INR 2,900
Test Centre Change	INR 5,000

Tip: ESI offers a fee reduction program for eligible students. Check eligibility before applying. 

Also Read: How to Prepare For the GRE Exam at Home

GRE vs GMAT vs IELTS vs TOEFL — What’s the Difference?

The GRE and GMAT test your academic aptitude, while the IELTS and TOEFL assess your English proficiency. The right exam depends on your course and university requirements. Choosing the right test depends on your course, university requirements, and study destination. Many students may even need to take a combination of these exams. 

Features	GRE	GMAT	IELTS	TOEFL
Purpose	Aptitude	Aptitude	English proficiency	English proficiency
Use for	MS, MBA, PhD	MBA	Study/Work abroad	Study abroad
Score type	260-340	200-800	Band 0-9	0-120

How to Register for the GRE in India (Step-by-Step)

Registering for the GRE is a simple online process through the official Educational Testing Service website. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you book your exam smoothly: 

Step 1: Create an IELTS Account

Visit the official ETS website and sign up using your email ID. Make sure your name matches exactly with your passport, as it will be used for verification on test day. 

Step 2: Choose the Test Type

Select whether you want to take the GRE General Test (most common) or a GRE Subject Test, depending on your program requirements. 

Step 3: Select Test Date & Centre/At-Home Option

Choose a convenient test date and location from available GRE test centres in India, or opt for the GRE at Home version if you prefer taking the exam remotely. 

Step 4: Pay the Registration Fee

Complete the payment (INR 22,000 for the General Test) using a credit/Debit Card, UPI, or Digital wallets. 

Step 5: Download Confirmation (Amidyt Details)

Once payment is successful, you will receive a confirmation email with your test details. While GRE doesn’t require a traditional admit card, keep this confirmation saved for reference.

Step 6: Test Day Checklist

Before heading to your exam, ensure you have a valid passport (mandatory ID proof), confirmation email from ETS and reach the centre at least 30 minutes early.  

Tip: Always book your GRE at least 2-3 months before your application deadlines to secure your preferred test date and allow time for a retake if needed. 

How Long Are GRE Scores Valid?

GRE scores remain valid for 5 years from the test date, as per the official policy of the Educational Testing Service. This gives you enough flexibility to plan your application, whether you want to apply immediately or a few years later. 

When Should You Retake the GRE?

You should consider retaking the GRE if:

• Your score is below the requirement of your target universities. You are aiming for higher-ranked or more competitive programs
• There has been a significant gap since your last attempt. Improve your performance with better preparation

A better score can strengthen your application, improve admission chances, and even help you secure scholarships. 

Also Read: Everything about GMAT Exam: Syllabus, Preparation, Fees

The GRE remains one of the most versatile and widely accepted exams for studying abroad. Whether you are aiming for an MS, MBA, or PhD, it can open doors to top universities and scholarships worldwide. Even with the rise of GRE optional policies, a strong GRE score can still give you a competitive edge, especially if you are targeting top institutions or financial aid. 

FAQs

Planning your GRE strategy or confused about whether you should take the test? Connect with Leverage Edu experts to shortlist universities based on your profile, get a personalised GRE prep plan and improve your chances of scholarship and admission.

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