4 July 2025, 06:10 PM
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardised test accepted by many graduate schools worldwide as part of their admissions process. Administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the GRE is required for applicants seeking admission to master’s, MBA, PhD, and other professional programmes, particularly in the United States and other leading study destinations.
With the 2025 intake approaching, it is important to understand the GRE Eligibility Criteria and other essential requirements for prospective test-takers. In this article, we provide comprehensive information on GRE qualification, registration, required documents, types of GRE, and more.
Who Can Take the GRE in 2025? Eligibility Explained
Students who take the GRE are in their last year of an undergraduate course or are graduates. The reason behind this is that to gain admission into the postgraduate programs, universities usually demand that the applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent). So even though ETS does not limit the test-taking ability of anyone, the university that you are applying to may have academic requirements.
Is there any age limit?
The GRE has no age bar and this is one of the most accommodating features of this exam. There is no upper or lower age limit required to register and take the GRE. Your age doesn’t matter in regards to your eligibility, as long as you are just out of college or you are in the middle of your career shift, you are free to give the test a shot.
The fact that most world universities do not mention the age limit in graduate admissions also allows candidates of any age to take the GRE at any time when they consider themselves prepared.
Education Qualification
ETS does not require a particular degree to take the GRE. Nonetheless, the exam is understandably targeted at individuals who have attained or are attaining undergraduate degrees since it is a passport to graduate-level programmes.
The trick is that not every university or every course requires a GRE score to get admitted. Whereas it is taken as a gauge of academic preparedness in some institutions, it has been optionalised in others, particularly in recent years. Therefore, the necessity of taking the GRE or not will be determined solely by the university you are aiming at and the course you have chosen.
What is the GRE Test Limit in 2025?
Require more than a single attempt at the GRE? No problem. You may take the GRE General Test five times in any rolling 12 months at ETS. The hitch? Two attempts must be separated by a minimum of 21 days.
This 21-day break is not only compulsory but also an excellent chance to analyse your past performance, change your preparation plan, and improve your weak sides.
And what if you took some gap years before deciding to apply abroad? No stress. Your GRE eligibility is not affected by your academic breaks. You can also take the test at your own pace as long as you are prepared and willing.
Types of GRE Exam 2025
So, when you plan your GRE adventure, you should be aware that there are two different versions of the test, meant to serve various academic purposes and admission needs.
1. GRE General Test
Of the two, the GRE General Test is the one more frequently taken, and it is also commonly accepted by graduate and business schools worldwide. It tests your Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing are the skills that are deemed necessary irrespective of your major area of study.
The best thing about it is that it is available throughout the year. The GRE General Test is offered on a date and at a place (or even at home) that is convenient to you. Due to its wide usage, it is the preferred choice of test by most students who intend on applying to programs in disciplines such as engineering, business, social sciences or humanities.
2. GRE Subject Test
The GRE Subject Test might be a better choice in case you are applying to a program that requires a deeper understanding of a particular area. This test will help to determine your level of knowledge in one of the following areas:
Mathematics
Physics
Psychology
The Subject Test is administered on set dates in the year, unlike the General Test, more like the classic entrance exams. It may be needed for more specialised or research-focused graduate degrees, where mastery of a subject is important.
Even though ETS does not specify strict eligibility criteria for the Subject Test, it is strongly advised that candidates must have an excellent academic background in the subject that they intend to be tested in.
With the 2025 intake approaching, it is important to understand the GRE Eligibility Criteria and other essential requirements for prospective test-takers. In this article, we provide comprehensive information on GRE qualification, registration, required documents, types of GRE, and more.
Who Can Take the GRE in 2025? Eligibility Explained
Students who take the GRE are in their last year of an undergraduate course or are graduates. The reason behind this is that to gain admission into the postgraduate programs, universities usually demand that the applicant must possess a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent). So even though ETS does not limit the test-taking ability of anyone, the university that you are applying to may have academic requirements.
Is there any age limit?
The GRE has no age bar and this is one of the most accommodating features of this exam. There is no upper or lower age limit required to register and take the GRE. Your age doesn’t matter in regards to your eligibility, as long as you are just out of college or you are in the middle of your career shift, you are free to give the test a shot.
The fact that most world universities do not mention the age limit in graduate admissions also allows candidates of any age to take the GRE at any time when they consider themselves prepared.
Education Qualification
ETS does not require a particular degree to take the GRE. Nonetheless, the exam is understandably targeted at individuals who have attained or are attaining undergraduate degrees since it is a passport to graduate-level programmes.
The trick is that not every university or every course requires a GRE score to get admitted. Whereas it is taken as a gauge of academic preparedness in some institutions, it has been optionalised in others, particularly in recent years. Therefore, the necessity of taking the GRE or not will be determined solely by the university you are aiming at and the course you have chosen.
What is the GRE Test Limit in 2025?
Require more than a single attempt at the GRE? No problem. You may take the GRE General Test five times in any rolling 12 months at ETS. The hitch? Two attempts must be separated by a minimum of 21 days.
This 21-day break is not only compulsory but also an excellent chance to analyse your past performance, change your preparation plan, and improve your weak sides.
And what if you took some gap years before deciding to apply abroad? No stress. Your GRE eligibility is not affected by your academic breaks. You can also take the test at your own pace as long as you are prepared and willing.
Types of GRE Exam 2025
So, when you plan your GRE adventure, you should be aware that there are two different versions of the test, meant to serve various academic purposes and admission needs.
1. GRE General Test
Of the two, the GRE General Test is the one more frequently taken, and it is also commonly accepted by graduate and business schools worldwide. It tests your Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing are the skills that are deemed necessary irrespective of your major area of study.
The best thing about it is that it is available throughout the year. The GRE General Test is offered on a date and at a place (or even at home) that is convenient to you. Due to its wide usage, it is the preferred choice of test by most students who intend on applying to programs in disciplines such as engineering, business, social sciences or humanities.
2. GRE Subject Test
The GRE Subject Test might be a better choice in case you are applying to a program that requires a deeper understanding of a particular area. This test will help to determine your level of knowledge in one of the following areas:
Mathematics
Physics
Psychology
The Subject Test is administered on set dates in the year, unlike the General Test, more like the classic entrance exams. It may be needed for more specialised or research-focused graduate degrees, where mastery of a subject is important.
Even though ETS does not specify strict eligibility criteria for the Subject Test, it is strongly advised that candidates must have an excellent academic background in the subject that they intend to be tested in.