GRE Eligibility Criteria for General Test 2023

Student Progress / Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) / Eligibility

Different aspects of eligibility for the GRE General Test are discussed in detail in this article. These considerations also include those that would provide you with an understanding of the situations that, if you are not aware of them, could result in your ineligibility for the examination.

What are the eligibility requirements for taking the GRE?

There are no prescribed eligibility requirements for taking the GRE according to the Educational Testing Service test-takers (ETS). Anyone can register for the GRE, and there are no age restrictions or educational requirements for the GRE in 2023.

However, there are some requirements that must be met in order to be eligible for the exam. Furthermore, because the GRE is an assessment test for admission to graduate courses, candidates are expected to have completed their undergraduate program before taking the GRE test.

Candidates who wish to sit for the GRE in 2023 must be aware of these fundamental requirements. As there are no officially specified GRE eligibility criteria, candidates must focus on achieving high GRE scores and verifying their eligibility with the institutes to which they wish to apply.

The following are the ten GRE eligibility requirements for 2023:

  1. ID requirement
  2. Age restriction
  3. Qualification requirement
  4. Restriction on Gap year after the undergraduate degree
  5. Maximum number of attempts for GRE
  6. Eligibility for Physically Handicapped
  7. Nationalities
  8. GRE ‘at home’ version
  9. Test centre requirement
  10. GRE Scores

The 10 aforementioned points are examined and will help determine whether they can disqualify you from taking the GRE.

Criteria 1 – ID Requirement

Passports are required for Indian nationals to enter the GRE testing centre.

Apart from bringing a passport to the test centre, they must register for the GRE exam with a valid photo ID. The same identification that they must bring to the testing centre.

For example, if they bring an invalid identification card to the testing centre:

They will be disqualified from taking the GRE if the first and last names on their identification do not match the names on their GRE application. Additionally, their examination fee will not be refunded.

Apart from bringing a passport to the test centre, they must also provide a valid form of identification when registering for the GRE exam. The same identification they must bring to the testing centre.

Criteria 2 – Age Restriction

Not to worry, having a higher age number does not automatically disqualify an examinee from applying for the GRE. ETS does not have an age restriction in accordance with the GRE 2022 eligibility criteria. Aspirants of any age who wish to pursue MBA, MS, or law programs may take the GRE test in accordance with the admission requirements of the various institutes worldwide.

However, the colleges to which applicants intend to apply may accept students of a similar age group. As a result, regardless of age, anyone can apply for the GRE.

Criteria 3 – Educational Qualification Requirement

Whether the applicant holds a bachelor’s degree in the arts, sciences, business, law, or engineering in any subject from a recognized institute or university, he/she is eligible to apply for the GRE.

ETS has not imposed any restrictions on applicants’ qualifications for the GRE. Eligibility criteria are established by the colleges to which applicants are applying through the GRE. All graduate schools require that applicants possess a bachelor’s degree.

Additionally, some institutions place restrictions on GPAs based on the type of applications they receive. For instance, students at Ivy League schools have an average GPA of 3.71 on a 4.0 scale.

Criteria 4 – Gap year after Undergraduate degree

Gap years have no bearing on one’s GRE eligibility. For some, this may be an advantage, providing them with additional time to prepare for graduate school and work on their application. These years may also jeopardize admission prospects if they are not adequately justified.

Criteria 5 – GRE Attempts

The GRE may be taken five times in a calendar year. At least 21 days should pass between consecutive attempts. Thus, if one attempts the GRE five times in a calendar year, the next exam date will be after the current year’s end.

Criteria 6 – For Physically handicapped

Applicants who have health-related issues or a physical disability may certainly apply for accommodations. This will not disqualify them from taking the GRE. They may apply via their ETS account, email, regular mail, or courier services. They must complete the form and submit it to ETS via the methods mentioned.

Criteria 7 – Nationality

To assist students affected by the pandemic, ETS has introduced an ‘at-home’ option for the GRE. This option, however, is not available in Mainland China or Iran. As a result, students from these two regions must wait for testing centres to reopen.

By and large, no nationality is excluded from GRE eligibility. Additionally, ETS is collaborating with officials in mainland China and Iran to make the at-home option available to aspirants.

Criteria 8 – For GRE at-Home

The tabletop arrangement is required for the at-home version, and no other arrangement is permitted during the test. Additionally, the invigilator keeps an eye on you throughout the test.

For the GRE General Test, an at-home version is available. If a country and address qualify for this option, the ‘at home’ option will appear in the ETS Account.

For Windows and Mac, the ETS browser must be installed. A ProctorU Systems Check is required. Additionally, you must have a room conducive to the test.

Criteria 9 – For Test Center

Examinees must bring their own masks or they will be denied access to the test. They will be required to remove their masks for a brief period of time in order to have their photograph taken. This enables the test centre to verify the test taker’s identification during check-in and upon their return from breaks.

Criteria 10 – Scores

There is no minimum GRE score requirement. The score is generally used by institutes to determine the calibre of prospective students; however, this varies according to the prospective institutes to which candidates seek admission. Certain institutes have established a cutoff point for candidates seeking admission to their various courses. As such, candidates should verify this and plan appropriately for the GRE 2023.

Are you qualified to take the GRE?

The ETS has eliminated all eligibility requirements for the GRE. The GRE Exam does not have any specific eligibility requirements. Anyone may register for the GRE, and there are no age restrictions or prerequisite qualifications for GRE 2023.

Nonetheless, the circumstances discussed in this article are critical. As a result, one must follow the instructions provided on the ETS website.

Additionally, one must conduct extensive research on the target institutes or universities in order to ascertain their specific eligibility requirements for admission to their Masters’ or Ph.D. programs.

Who is eligible to take the GRE test?

Candidates interested in studying abroad at institutions that require GRE scores for admission or scholarship eligibility are recommended to take the test.

How to be eligible for a graduate institution?

To be eligible for graduate study, the following are necessary documents that need to be submitted to the institution:

  1. Graduate School Application Form: This document is a generic form that is available on paper or online. The information required to complete the application includes your personal information, academic record, the name of your chosen program, the results of any required tests like GRE, and the names of your referees.
  2. Academic Transcripts: Depending on the institution’s preference, you should include official university transcripts or certified copies of all post-secondary education transcripts (or lists of grades and results) that you have taken. Unofficial transcripts won’t be accepted as, again, only official transcripts are credited. Graduate schools frequently allow you to submit copies of the transcript to expedite the application process but require you to present the originals during registration.
  3. Statement of Purpose or Personal Statement: Depending on the institution to which you apply, you may be required to submit a piece of writing outlining your motivation for pursuing a graduate degree in your chosen field of study. These are often critical components of the application and should include a mix of personal and professional experience relevant to your chosen graduate degree program, as well as a statement about how you hope to benefit from the program of study.
  4. Letters of Recommendations: All graduate school applications require at least two, and occasionally three, recommendation letters from referees. These references are critical in all cases, but especially for highly competitive programs at the world’s top universities.

What are the requirements for international students to attend graduate school?

To be eligible for graduate study in the United States, an international student must have earned a bachelor’s degree or an international institution that has recognized equivalent qualifications. Along with your degree certificate, these are the minimum requirements typically be required to be submitted:

  • A graduate admissions official score report/official test scores, if required (e.g. GRE/GMAT)
  • A research proposal (for PhD and postdoctoral applicants)
  • A statement of purpose, outlining your aspirations and demonstrating your suitability for the course
  • International transcript/undergraduate grades, if required
  • One or more letters of recommendation
  • Proof of proficiency in English (e.g. TOEFL/IELTS) if not a speaker of the native language

These are official documents required by academic institutions for international students to be eligible to attend graduate school. There may be additional requirements depending on the country of origin and university.

Is the GRE an easy test for Indian students?

It depends. Any candidate regardless of race, who arrives prepared for the GRE test will find it relatively easy to pass.

Is the GRE test available to test takers at home in light of the pandemic?

Yes, GRE may be taken at the test taker’s home. ETS has decided to offer the GRE® General Test in locations where the computer-based format of the GRE Test was previously available for the convenience of students. This is in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

How many study hours are required to pass the GRE exam?

It varies according to the individual. Candidates should not adhere to a rigid schedule but rather devise their own schedule based on their strengths and weaknesses.

Is one-month sufficient time to prepare for the GRE?

It depends on the candidate’s knowledge of the topics. But candidates should be satisfied with their preparation prior to reserving a GRE test slot. They should be aware that these are expensive tests and that retaking them due to low scores would incur additional costs.

Is it possible to take the GRE without studying?

It depends on the candidate’s knowledge of the topics. But again, before booking a GRE exam slot, it is recommended that candidates prepare thoroughly for the GRE exam. As retaking the exam would incur additional cost and time.

Is the GRE difficult?

It varies according to the individual. Since the GRE test was created to assess a candidate’s academic preparedness, a candidate who has prepared for the GRE test should not view it as a difficult exam.

Is the GRE score important for grad school?

Yes, the GRE is important in applying for graduate school as this is part of the admissions application requirements. However, the chances of not getting into a graduate study do not solely depend on your GRE score. Universities usually look into other documents like Grade Point Average (GPA), extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and more. These documents will serve as proof of your skills and abilities. This also helps the admission committee come up with decisions.

When should I take the GRE?

At least 6 weeks or a few months before the graduate school application deadline is a good time to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). This gives the test taker the time to retake the test if ever a low score is obtained.

How to decide when to take the GRE?

Deciding when to take the GRE can be challenging. The list below lists factors to consider before deciding when to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE):

  • Graduate school application deadline. The number one factor to be considered is when the application deadline for your prospective university is. Taking the exam last minute can cause extra stress. It is best to give yourself at least 3 to 4 months before the deadline.
  • Time, energy, resources. It is best to reflect and think about whether you have the time, energy, and resources to prepare for the GRE. Taking the exam means that you have to allow time for review, practice tests, and courses. Sticking to a study schedule consistently is one of the critical factors to success in GRE.
  • Self. Do not forget to ask yourself whether you are ready or not to enter graduate school. Knowing what you really want to do in life and how a master’s degree or PhD can contribute to your goals.
  • Testing Date. The computerized GRE Test can be taken anytime, however, testing centres have different orders of operations and scheduling. Remember that there are time slots, ts and they can quickly fill up.
  • Opportunities. Some universities offer admissions multiple times a year. Sometimes, it is wise to miss one deadline if an applicant has some opportunities to apply. This way there will be more time spent on preparing for the test and improving scores.
  • Target score and time. Make sure that you have sufficient time to retake the GRE in case you are not satisfied with your first score. That’s why it is important to prepare rigorously for the amount of preparation you have will help you achieve your goal score.

The deadline, time, self, test dates and location, graduate school opportunities, and goal score are the factors to consider in deciding when to take the GRE. Factors differ for each one that’s why it is best to reflect and take into consideration every possible situation you can be into.

What is a good GRE score?

A good GRE score does not exist. Each university will have its own GRE cut-off, and students must obtain scores equal to or greater than the set grade. Candidates should keep in mind that higher GRE scores automatically increase their chances of admission to the university and also put them in the running for any scholarships.

When will candidates take the GRE test to be able to access their scores?

Approximately 10 to 15 days after the test date, examinees will receive an email informing them that their score result is available. To view the scores, simply login to the ETS – GRE account on the website and click ‘view scores.

References:

  • https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/exams/gre/eligibility
  • https://e-gmat.com/blogs/gre-eligibility
  • https://www.topuniversities.com/student-info/admissions-advice/what-you-need-apply-grad-school
  • https://www.topuniversities.com/where-to-study/north-america/united-states/graduate-study-us-guide-international-students