The GRE maintains remarkably inclusive eligibility requirements, allowing virtually anyone to register, take the exam, and receive official scores. Understanding the straightforward administrative requirements and reporting policies ensures candidates can properly plan their testing timeline.
Basic Registration Requirements
The fundamental criteria for obtaining GRE scores are minimal and accessible.
- Age and Educational Status. There are no minimum age requirements or educational prerequisites to take the GRE. Consequently, high school students, undergraduate students, and working professionals are all eligible for a GRE score.
- Identification Documentation. Test-takers must present valid, government-issued photo identification that matches exactly with their registration name. This verification process confirms who is eligible for a GRE score on test day.
- Registration Completion. Successful online registration and fee payment through the ETS account system secures a testing appointment and eventual score reporting.
Administrative and Policy Considerations
Several procedural elements impact score eligibility and delivery.
- Test Completion Necessity. Candidates must fully complete all sections of the exam to receive official scores. Early termination of the test session voids scoring eligibility.
- Valid Identification Presentation. Without acceptable ID, testing centers will deny admission, making candidates ineligible for a GRE score that day.
- Score Cancellation Options. Test-takers can immediately cancel scores at the testing center, but this action permanently removes them from the record and makes them ineligible for a GRE score report.
Special Circumstances and Restrictions
Certain situations require additional planning for successful scoring.
- Name Discrepancy Resolution. Registration information must precisely match identification documents; otherwise, the test center may prevent testing, affecting who is eligible for a GRE score.
- Testing Attempt Limitations. Candidates can take the GRE once every 21 days and up to five times within any continuous 12-month period, with all attempts producing scores.
- Geographic Accessibility. Testing availability varies by location, but all administered exams generate scores for eligible candidates.
The policy of who is eligible for a GRE score remains intentionally broad to accommodate diverse educational pathways. This accessibility allows candidates to strategically time their testing based on personal preparation rather than bureaucratic constraints. However, candidates should always verify specific requirements with ETS and their target graduate programs, as institutional policies may influence optimal testing timelines despite the general accessibility of the examination itself.