Exam prep·India· 6 min read

GRE Guide for Indian Students

What the GRE is, who needs it, how the test is structured, and how to approach preparation — for Indian students applying to graduate programmes abroad, with ETS's official site as the place to check current fees and dates.

By the GlobalStudyBoard editorial team · Verified against 2 cited sources

Last updated 29 September 2026

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What the GRE is and who needs it

The GRE General Test, administered by ETS, is used in admissions for many graduate programmes — especially master's and PhD courses abroad — and is accepted by some business schools too. Not every programme requires it — each programme sets its own test policy — so check whether your target programmes need a GRE score.

How the test is structured

The GRE General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. The exact number of questions, timing, and the score scale are set by ETS and have been revised over time, so confirm the current structure on the official GRE site before you prepare.

Verbal Reasoning
Quantitative Reasoning
Analytical Writing

How to prepare

Start with official GRE materials so the question types match the real test. Build vocabulary and reading skills for the verbal section, revise fundamentals for the quantitative section, and practise structured essays for analytical writing. Timed practice tests help build pacing.

Plan around your applications

Book the test to leave time before your application deadlines, and check the score each programme expects rather than aiming for an arbitrary number. Confirm current fees, dates, and any score-reporting rules on the official ETS GRE website — no score is "guaranteed" by preparation alone.

Frequently asked questions

Do all master's programmes abroad require the GRE?

No. Some programmes make the GRE optional or do not consider it, so check each programme's official admissions page for its current requirement.

Is the GRE used for MBA admissions?

Some business schools accept the GRE in place of the GMAT. Confirm on each school's official admissions page which test it accepts.

How long is a GRE score valid?

ETS reports GRE General Test scores for five years after the test date, and each programme decides how recent a score it accepts. Confirm the current rule on the official ETS GRE website.

Official sources

This guide explains the process and is for guidance only. Eligibility, dates, fees and rules change every year — always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.

Verified against: ETS — GRE official site; ETS — getting your GRE General Test scores (five-year reporting).

Last verified: 3 June 2026. Content updated 29 September 2026, without a full re-check.