GRE Exam Schedule & Dates 2025 – The Ultimate Guide for Indian Students

Blogs GRE Exam May 14, 2025

Table of Contents

Introduction

Planning to earn an MS or MBA from a top global university means the GRE is one checkpoint you cannot skip. But for thousands of Indian students, the biggest hurdle is not the exam itself—it is fitting the gre exam schedule into an already packed calendar of semester exams, project deadlines, and visa paperwork. Mapping the gre exam schedule early gives you breathing space to study systematically, finish applications on time, and still find moments to relax. This guide walks your month by month through all the test dates in 2025, explains every important registration deadline, and shows you how the GRE fits neatly alongside your Statement of Purpose (SOP), scholarship essays, English-language tests, and eventual visa interview. By the end, you will hold a clear, personalised timeline that turns a stressful process into an organised routine.

Understanding the GRE Exam Schedule 2025

Worried about missing registration windows and losing an entire admission cycle?

What the schedule really covers

- Every computer-based test slot—at test centres and at home—listed by day, city, and session (morning or afternoon).
- Five attempts allowed within any rolling 12-month period, with a mandatory 21-day gap between attempts.
- Continuous testing: unlike older paper cycles, the 2025 gre exam schedule offers dates in every month except national holidays.

Why the schedule matters

- Early visibility removes uncertainty, letting you weave mock tests between semester practicals.
- A first pass in January gives time for a retake before most US and European round-one deadlines.
- Building your own roadmap around the official gre calendar helps you avoid the classic panic of “I thought seats would still be open next week.”

Key ETS rules that shape the schedule

- Official score reports reach universities in about 10–15 days.
- You may view unofficial scores immediately after the test and decide whether to keep or cancel them.
- Score Select lets you send only the scores you prefer, but you still need to leave space for processing.

Pointers to remember

- Check gre registration dates as soon as ETS opens the full 2025 calendar—usually six months before January slots.
- Note the typical gre registration last date: seats disappear quicker in metros, so treat “last date” as a warning, not an invitation to procrastinate.
- Keep a printed copy of the gre exam schedule at your study desk; physical reminders beat hidden bookmarks.

GRE Registration Dates and Deadlines in the 2025 GRE Exam Schedule

Is the fear of a missed deadline keeping you awake at night?

Locating official GRE registration dates

- Sign in to your ETS account and navigate to My Test Appointments. A full list of live slots appears with their individual gre registration dates.
- ETS opens bookings roughly 180 days in advance and updates availability every 30 minutes.

Reading the fine print on gre registration last date

- Although ETS calls it “rolling registration,” every session closes automatically when all seats are booked or four days before test day—whichever arrives first.
- In Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, popular Saturdays in September can sell out three months early. Mark each alert in your gre calendar.

Gre sign up dates best practices

- Use two email addresses—college and personal—so confirmation messages do not sink into spam.
- Pay during off-peak hours (early morning or late night) to avoid payment gateway traffic.
- Screenshot the payment-success page. Indian banks occasionally flag international transactions; a screenshot speeds up dispute resolution.

Tracking tools

- Create a shared Google Sheet with columns for slot, test centre, gre registration last date, and fee status.
- Sync sheet notifications to your phone; many students lose months simply because they missed the follow-up seat confirmation email.

Month-by-Month GRE Exam Schedule 2025: Full Test Date Map

Confused about when exactly to book if you want score reports before scholarship deadlines?

This GRE Exam Schedule for 2025 will help Indian students understand the GRE calendar month-by-month and plan effectively using real test trends. They are subject to change according to the city and availability; therefore, do check the ETS website before booking.

GRE Exam Schedule – January 2025

Likely Test Dates:

Jan 3, 2020 (Friday) – Morning & Afternoon
7 Jan (Tue) – Afternoon
15 Jan (Wed) – Morning
22/01 (Wed) – Morning & Afternoon
29 Jan (Wed) – Morning

Why Choose January:

Perfect for the Fall 2025 applications – score reports come earlier.
Gives sufficient time for a re-take before timelines.
A sedate period with improved GRE schedule and test flexibility.

GRE Exam Schedule – February 2025

Expected Dates:

5 Feb (Wed)
9 Feb (Sun)
16 Feb (Sun)
23 Feb (Sun)

Strategic Tips:

Good for students who are finishing final projects in March.
Not as Crowded – hassle free test centres experience.
Workable backup window for January test givers.

GRE Exam Schedule – March 2025

Scheduled Mondays:

3 Mar
10 Mar
17 Mar
24 Mar
31 Mar

Notes:

Fits students whose deadlines are Spring 2026 or late Fall.
Avoid Holi disruptions in the centre areas.
Helpful to students who are to re-take the GRE in January or February.

GRE Exam Schedule – April 2025

Likely Dates:

4 Apr (Fri)
10 Apr (Thu)
17 Apr (Thu)
24 Apr (Thu)

Things to Keep in Mind:

Allows ample preparation time post-exams.
Perfect in case of target Fall intake, but with safe margins.
Ram Navami & Good Friday may influence some test slots.

GRE Exam Schedule – May 2025

Test Days:

2 May (Fri)
8 May (Thu)
16 May (Fri)
23 May (Fri)

Why May Works:

The GRE calendar opens widely with frequent slots.
Good time to test prior to the monsoon and internship period.
Good alternative for first timers and those who want to retake buffers.

GRE Exam Schedule – June 2025

Expected Dates:

5 Jun (Thu)
12 Jun (Thu)
19 Jun (Thu)
26 Jun (Thu)

Why June Is Strategic:

Is an effective choice for such applicants who are applying early in the Fall deadlines (July/Aug).
Has no difficulties combining internship and GRE preparation.
Avoid the rainy season peak disruptions later in July.

GRE Exam Schedule – July 2025

Most Common Dates:

4 Jul (Fri)
10 Jul (Thu)
17 Jul (Thu)
24 Jul (Thu)

Take Note:

High-time for late Fall applications.
If not scored well, then do not hesitate to schedule a GRE test for August as a backup.
There are some centres adversely affected by heavy rains in the north-east and coastal cities.

GRE Exam Schedule – August 2025

Likely Slots:

1 Aug (Fri)
7 Aug (Thu)
14 Aug (Thu)
22 Aug (Fri)

Suggestions:

Test-takers’ most popular month – book early.
Useful for Spring 2026 intake planning.
Beware of the likely closures for Raksha Bandhan and also Independence Day.

GRE Exam Schedule – September 2025

Tentative Dates:

5 Sep (Fri)
12 Sep (Fri)
18 Sep (Thu)
26 Sep (Fri)

Good to Know:

Perfect for spring intakes or finals for late deadlines in the fall.
Local travel and operations in the centre may be delayed due to Dussehra holidays.

GRE Exam Schedule – October 2025

Planned Dates:

2 Oct (Thu)
10 Oct (Fri)
17 Oct (Fri)
24 Oct (Fri)

Insights:

Best time for those who are aiming for Spring 2026 deadlines.
Navratri and Diwali travel is likely to create additional complexities in test logistics on the test day.

GRE Exam Schedule – November 2025

Likely Dates:

3 Nov (Mon)
7 Nov (Fri)
14 Nov (Fri)
21 Nov (Fri)

Pros of November Testing:

Intelligent late Spring or early Summer timeline admissions.
Do not be caught in post-Diwali rush and prep breaks.
Dates of GRE examination in this month are usually stable.

GRE Exam Schedule – December 2025

Expected Test Days:

5 Dec (Fri)
12 Dec (Fri)
19 Dec (Fri)
26 Dec (Fri)

Why Test in December:

Good for those who are looking ahead to the Fall of 2026.
A smaller number of candidates, so you may end up with your choice of centre.
The Christmas holidays can restrict certain slots in the big cities.

GRE Calendar 2025

Month	GRE Exam Dates (Typical)	Key Highlights
January	3, 7, 15, 22, 29	Great for Fall 2025, early planning
February	5, 9, 16, 23	Smooth traffic, flexible for students
March	3, 10, 17, 24, 31	Spring intake-friendly, watch Holi
April	4, 10, 17, 24	Fits in post-academic lull
May	2, 8, 16, 23	Good for internships + early prep
June	5, 12, 19, 26	Pre-monsoon window for early applicants
July	4, 10, 17, 24	Backup month for urgent Fall attempts
August	1, 7, 14, 22	Busy month, act early
September	5, 12, 18, 26	Ideal for Spring 2026 planning
October	2, 10, 17, 24	Pre-Diwali window, less crowded
November	3, 7, 14, 21	Late Spring attempt, stable dates
December	5, 12, 19, 26	Early start for Fall 2026, low traffic

Tip

The GRE exam schedule gives you flexibility, but early planning is key. Always check live availability before you GRE schedule a test. Use this guide to compare months, balance academic loads, and avoid holiday clashes. Whether you’re targeting Fall or Spring intake, this GRE calendar ensures you won’t miss a beat.

Recurring reminders

- Every monthly mini-table repeats the primary phrase “gre exam schedule” when introducing the list to keep keyword density natural.
- Inline prompts ask, “Have you mapped these gre exam test dates against your graduate record exam dates for Ivy League early decision?”—weaving pain points as reflective questions.
- Each month highlights peak-city sell-out risk and alternative Tier-2 centres to consider.

Making Your Personal GRE Calendar within the GRE Exam Schedule

Do you feel lost juggling GRE, TOEFL, SOP drafts, and college exams all at once?

Downloading and importing the official gre calendar

- From your ETS dashboard, click Resources → GRE Test Dates → download the 2025 PDF.
- Import into Google Calendar: Settings → “Import & Export” → upload file. The PDF’s dates will appear as all-day events colour-coded by centre capacity.

Colour-coding your life

- Keep GRE events in blue, university deadlines in green, visa milestones in yellow.
- Visual clashes instantly show weeks you must avoid.

Buffer rule of three

- Three weeks between GRE and TOEFL/IELTS.
- Three weeks between issuing transcripts and the first application deadline.
- Three weeks between final GRE attempt and visa interview.

Checklist bullets to prevent last-minute chaos

- Reserve exam-day cab one week prior.
- Confirm passport validity six months beyond test date.
- Store soft copies of passport and admission documents in an encrypted drive.

Aligning Graduate Record Exam Dates with University Deadlines—A Strategic GRE Exam Schedule

Booking the GRE too late and losing your dream admit—is that a risk you want to take?

Working backwards from deadlines

- Harvard, MIT, and Stanford round-one: early December. Factor 10–15 days for score reporting plus an extra week for Thanksgiving postal delays.
- TU Munich and NTU Singapore accept applications until mid-January; a late October slot fits comfortably.
- Australian universities often review on a rolling basis, but scholarships close early—plan a July test if you aim for Semester 1, 2026.

Graduate record exam dates vs scholarship windows

- Many merit awards cut off by 1 December. Having scores ready by mid-October improves your funding chances.
- Department-specific fellowships may ask for GRE Subject Tests. Those run only on fixed dates (Apr, Sep, Oct). Reserve those first, then embed the General Test around them.

Creating a dual-attempt safety net

- Attempt 1: January–March.
- Attempt 2 (if needed): April–June.
- The gap gives time to identify weak sections and practise targeted drills.

Pointers for Indian academic calendars

- Final-year university vivas often fall in April; choose March or May GRE slots to avoid overlap.
- CA articleship and IT internships ramp up in July; early tests keep professional duties stress-free.

Step-by-Step to GRE Schedule a Test—Booking without Errors

Tired of payment failures and ID mismatches spoiling your plans?

Create or log in to ETS account

- Use the same name order as in your passport to avoid check-in issues.

Choose GRE General Test → gre schedule a test

Decide between at-home monitoring and physical centre.
- Filter by state or PIN code for nearest locations.

Browse available GRE exam test dates

- Dark-blue slots = seats available.
- Greyed-out = fully booked or past the gre registration last date.

Select session

- Morning seats often fill first; if you are not a morning person, opt for afternoon.

Review fee and pay

- International card, net-banking, or UPI supported.
- If payment fails, ETS temporarily locks the slot; repeat after 30 minutes.

Confirmation and next steps

- Email arrives within an hour.
- Add event to gre calendar immediately; attach confirmation PDF.

Common snags and fixes

- Surname missing a space: call ETS support to edit; do not risk centre rejection.
- Incorrect date of birth: tiny typo can block admission; fix it seven days in advance or reschedule.
- Passport renewal pending: schedule test at least two weeks after you expect the new booklet.

Best Time to Take GRE for Indian Students: Crafting a Winning GRE Exam Schedule

Struggling to match exam dates with internship, IELTS, and visa interviews?

For Fall 2026 intake

- Target first shot between January and March 2025.
- Book second shot in May or June if initial score needs improvement.
- Use July–August for TOEFL or IELTS and final SOP polishing.

For Spring 2026 intake

- First attempt in August 2025.
- Buffer attempt in September or early October.
- Collate financial documents by November, apply by December, and secure visa in January.

Balancing multiple commitments

- Engineering final exams in May? Test in April and August.
- CA IPCC in November? Finish GRE by September.
- Campus placement interviews? Avoid October GRE if company tests overlap.

Mental freshness matters

- Schedule heavy quant practice in vacation months.
- Slot lighter verbal drills during internship weeks.
- Keep at least three “zero-prep” days before the exam to recharge.

Conclusion

Mastering the gre exam schedule is less about raw study hours and more about disciplined planning. When you weave official gre registration dates, personal academic duties, and university targets into one master timeline, you eliminate last-minute shocks. Register early, create two testing windows to secure a safety net, monitor your gre calendar weekly, and leave breathing room for scholarships, SOP drafting, and visa steps. A well-mapped gre exam schedule transforms the journey from stressful uncertainty into an ordered march toward your global classroom. Pin your chosen dates today and set the rest of your milestones around them—the sooner you commit, the sooner your study-abroad dream becomes an admission letter in your inbox.

For further assistance or queries students can contact us, study abroad consultancy, and avail of our wide range of services for students on destinations like Study in USA, study in UK, study in Singapore , study in Switzerland , study in Australia, study in New-Zealand and many other countries.

FAQs

1. When is the best time to take the GRE in 2025?

For a Fall 2026 start, January–March works best because you still have months left for a retake, TOEFL/IELTS, and scholarship applications. Spring-intake hopefuls should aim for August or early September slots.

2. How many times can I take the GRE in a year?

ETS permits up to five attempts within any rolling 12-month window, provided you keep a minimum 21-day gap between two gre exam test dates.

3. Is there a GRE registration last date for each exam?

Technically, registration is rolling, but every session closes either four days before test day or when all seats are filled—whichever comes first. Secure your slot at least three weeks ahead.

4. Where can I find the official GRE exam calendar?

Log in to ETS.org, navigate to the GRE section, and download the annual gre calendar PDF. It lists every global centre and at-home window for 2025.

5. Can I reschedule my GRE test after booking it?

Yes. You can move your appointment up to four days before the original date for a rescheduling fee. The new date must still align with your overall gre exam schedule, so keep buffer weeks handy.

GRE Exam Schedule & Dates 2025 – The Ultimate Guide for Indian Students