The GRE exam is developed and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a nonprofit organization based in Princeton, New Jersey. ETS is the sole entity authorized to create, score, and distribute official GRE scores worldwide. No other institution or agency gives the GRE exam.
Founded in 1947, ETS is also responsible for other major assessments, including the TOEFL and Praxis tests. It operates under strict psychometric standards to ensure fairness, validity, and global consistency. When you register for the GRE exam, you do so exclusively through the official ETS website (ets.org/gre).
ETS partners with authorized test centers—such as Pearson VUE locations—to deliver the computer-based GRE in over 160 countries. In regions with limited infrastructure, ETS offers a paper-delivered version a few times per year. Regardless of format, the content, scoring, and security protocols are controlled entirely by ETS.
Understanding ETS’s Role in the Admissions Process
ETS does not make admissions decisions. Its role is limited to exam delivery, scoring, and secure score reporting. Once you take the GRE exam, ETS sends your scores directly to institutions you select—ensuring authenticity and preventing tampering.
The organization also manages score validity (five years), rescheduling, accommodations for disabilities, and score review requests. All official communications, score reports, and registration updates come from ETS—not third parties.
Beware of unofficial websites or agencies claiming to “administer” or “certify” the GRE. Only ETS gives the GRE exam. Using unauthorized services risks fraud, invalid scores, or financial loss.
For accurate information, always refer to the official ETS portal. It provides registration details, test prep resources, policies, and customer support.
ETS’s stewardship ensures the GRE remains a trusted, standardized measure across global graduate admissions.
The integrity of the exam—and your application—depends on this centralized authority.