GRE Dates 2023: Available Dates and Factors To Consider When Booking a Test Date for GRE

GRE Dates 2023: The Graduate Records (GRE) examination is conducted throughout the year and has no particular dates. The GRE dates can be selected according to the candidate’s preference and the availability of slots at test centres. Hence, unlike other competitive exams such as CAT, there are no specified GRE test dates. The exam is one of the most widely used admissions exams for professional and graduate schools. Having a GRE score is an admission criterion for various dream colleges like Stanford, Harvard, HEC Paris, and Wharton among others. This is why students planning to study abroad for higher education are advised to finalize a date and book a slot for the GRE exam 2023. 

The exam conducting body, Educational Testing Service (ETS,) provides the option of giving the exam at one of the many registered test centres or at home. Students can book their exam slots accordingly. Check: GRE Slot Booking

Moreover, candidates are required to choose between giving the GRE General Test and GRE Subject Test. After these choices are made and candidates get on to registering for the exam, they have to select a suitable date for the exam. Continue reading to know the factors that should be considered when booking test dates, the availability of test dates at various centres, how to cancel & reschedule the exam, and more. 

GRE Dates 2023

To check the GRE dates that are available at different test centres, candidates will need to register themselves on the official website. Check how to apply: GRE Registration 2023

This process can be done by selecting GRE as the chosen exam on the website and then providing the asked information such as one’s contact details. Once a valid profile has been made, candidates can schedule their exams by checking the available dates at the centres closest to them. This can be accessed by clicking on the “Find Test Centers/Dates” option on the website’s homepage. 

For instance, if applicants want to check the available GRE dates for test centres near Delhi, they will be asked to select a specific locality in Delhi and choose between GRE general and subject tests. After which, they will be asked whether they wish to give the exam at home or at a centre; if opting for a centre, the available dates at the chosen time frame will be showcased to them. A picture depicting the same has been provided below for the reference of candidates. 

Below are the available GRE dates 2023 (General Test) for some of the major cities of India. To check the dates of other locations, candidates are advised to register themselves on the website and analyze the same. 

GRE Dates 2023: Delhi

GRE Dates 2023: Chennai

GRE Dates 2023: Bengaluru

Note: These dates are subjective as the dates may vary when applicants book certain exam slots. 

GRE Dates 2023: How Often Are Test Dates Available 

Knowing the GRE testing options is essential before deciding on an exam date.

At present, one can take the GRE at home or in a test centre. Anyone can schedule a test appointment up to 24 hours after registration if they plan to take the GRE at home. That means at-home exam test dates are available 24/7.

Students have the option to take the GRE exam at a testing centre, which is what most people do, and in that case, they can pick their own testing date. With the exception of Sundays and holidays, a wide range of testing dates are available. Although, due to high demand, some slots may be completely booked. That is why it is advisable to book a GRE slot and finalize the test date well in advance.

GRE Dates 2023: Test Center VS At-Home Test

With the options of giving the exam at a centre and at home, candidates may get confused as to which option will be a better choice. The format, content, and on-screen setting of the GRE test taken at home and at a test centre are nearly identical. Hence, it gets difficult to choose between the two. Read on to know the pros and cons of both options and learn which is the right fit for you. 

GRE At-Home

Pros: Taking the exam at home means appearing for it in a familiar and comfortable environment. That can help many applicants to concentrate better. The GRE at Home option can be considered a convenient option as at test centres, the exam may at times be not booked due to lack of slots.

Cons: Students need a stable internet connection to take the GRE at Home. For the GRE exam to be completed successfully, a strong connection is required. The candidate will have problems if their internet bandwidth somehow drops below what is necessary.

GRE At Test Center

Pros: Giving the exam at a centre gives you the tools candidates need for the exam. After registering, applicants just need to show up to appear for the exam without carrying their personal equipment. The administering body provides students with a regulated testing environment and is in charge of any exam-related issues.

Moreover, candidates will not have to worry about not having a proper internet connection. 

Cons: GRE Home test exam is more flexible in nature when compared with exams at the test centre. This is because at-home test dates are easily available whereas to book a GRE slot at a test centre, candidates may not always find the desired slot due to high demand.

GRE Dates 2023: Factors To Consider When Booking a Test Date

With the freedom to pick an exam date according to one’s own convenience, candidates are advised to consider a few factors before finalizing a slot. Picking the right GRE slot can increase one’s chances of getting into the targetted university. That is why it is necessary to carefully analyze which date would be the right pick before booking the slot. Below are some factors that should be considered when sitting down to finalize the GRE exam date. 

Application Deadline: Candidates should take the application deadlines of the targetted universities into consideration while confirming their specific exam dates. If the applicants fail to do so,  they will be unable to submit their GRE scores to the universities, hence the admission to them will be delayed.

Preparation Level: How prepared the candidates are for the GRE exam decides the score they can achieve. As mentioned above, to get admitted into the top universities, a GRE score above 290 is mandatory. Such a score can be obtained if the candidate has prepared well for the test. Hence, candidates should book a GRE slot according to their preparation level for the examination. 

Window for Retake: As per the official ETS policy, the exam can be taken five times a year. This policy allows candidates to sit for the test if they feel they have not performed to their full potential on the first attempt. Hence, the GRE date should be finalized keeping in mind the window for the retake. That means, if a slot has been booked, it should have a retake window that aligns with the application deadlines of the targetted universities.