How Much Does the GRE Cost? A Breakdown of All the Fees

The GRE, or the Graduate Records Examination, is a major requirement for admission to many master’s and doctoral-level degree programs. Just like the SAT or ACT for undergraduate admission, the GRE cost is not free.

If the GRE cost has you stressed, read on for a guide of fees you need to cover, the registration process, and test prep options. 

How Much Does the GRE Cost?

The GRE’s cost within the US and many other parts of the world is $205. However, the test is more expensive if taken in certain parts of the world. 

It’s important to also clarify that ETS (Educational Testing Service), the organization that administers the GRE, offers more than just one test. Though the GRE General Test is the most common and most taken, ETS also offers GRE Subject Tests for certain kinds of graduate degree programs. More on subject tests further along in this guide. 

Below is more information, according to ETS, about GRE pricing around the world. 

Australia: $230

China: $231.30

India: $213

Nigeria: $226

Turkey: $255

The US and anywhere else in the world: $205

Students can register and pay to take the exam at a certified testing center, or for a limited time in 2020, at home through the ETS website.

Can You Pay Less to Take the Gre?

ETS has a couple of different options that reduce the overall cost of the test for students. They are both intended for students who can demonstrate financial need and show the cost of the test would represent a financial burden. 

GRE Fee Reduction Program

Though there is no such thing as a GRE fee waiver that makes the test completely free, there is a fee reduction program that cuts the GRE exam fee of $205 in half. Students are considered eligible for the fee reduction program due to demonstrated financial need, unemployment, or membership in a national program for underrepresented groups. 

The Fee Reduction Program offers GRE Fee Reduction Vouchers that test takers can apply to their registration fee. To be eligible for the fee reduction program, students must be planning to take the GRE test within the United States, Puerto Rico, or US territories. Fee reduction voucher-holders also receive free access to GRE prep materials, including ETS’ PowerPrepPlus practice tests and ScoreItNow’s Online Writing Practice materials.

Other GRE Fees and Associated Costs

Once you have registered and paid the GRE exam fee, remember that you may not be totally off the hook. There are a few other areas of the process that may require you to shell out a bit more cash. That said, the only required payment is registration. Everything below is optional and depends on your specific circumstances, needs, and desires.

Reporting Additional Scores and Requesting More Score Reports

ETS automatically gives every test taker up to four free score reports. This means you may request that ETS send your scores to four institutions that you are applying to. If you are taking the computer-based test, which is far more common, you will be able to select your score report schools on test day. If you’re taking the paper-based version of the exam, you will be asked to select your score report schools when registering for the test. 

Naturally, you may be applying to more than four graduate programs. If you need to send your score report to more than just the four included institutions, you will need to pay for each additional score report. One score report costs $27. You can request and pay for an additional score report on the ETS website, understanding that these score reports cannot be canceled or refunded.

GRE Rescheduling and Cancellation

If, for whatever reason, you need to cancel or reschedule your GRE test, you can do so by paying $50 to reschedule your existing registration to a different date or location from the original. 

You can do this up to four days before the original test date. If you try to reschedule your test less than four days before your registration, you will not be able to and you will lose the full registration fee that you paid.

If you need to completely cancel your GRE registration, you can do it without losing the full cost of registration up to four days before your test date. There is no fee for canceling but you will only be reimbursed $102.50, half of the original registration fee.

ETS holds the right to cancel your scores after you have taken the exam if they feel the test’s legitimacy has been compromised, either by leaked answers, cheating, or other factors. As a test taker, you cannot cancel your scores, but if you take the exam multiple times, you can choose to only submit your best scores.

GRE Test Prep

ETS offers its own test preparation materials in the form of PowerPrep practice tests that students can purchase at registration. Many top test preparation companies like Magoosh, Princeton Review, and Kaplan also offer excellent GRE test preparation options, including independent and guided formats at different price points. 

GRE Subject Tests

In addition to the GRE General Test, ETS also offers GRE subject tests in biology, chemistry, literature, math, physics, and psychology. Most graduate programs do not require subject tests, though submitting subject test scores can strengthen an applicant’s candidacy for a degree program. Schools and programs that do require subject tests are usually top programs at top institutions. 

Registration for each GRE Subject Test costs $150. This registration includes test preparation materials as well as four score reports. Like their score report policy for the general test, ETS’s score report policy for subject tests also charges $27 per additional score report request.

Final GRE Costs

Ultimately, plan to spend at least $205 on the GRE if you are not eligible for the Fee Reduction Program. Then, add on by $27 depending on the number of score reports you plan to request. No matter the total price, the GRE will add to your graduate school application and help you work toward your education and career goals.