GRE 2026: Syllabus, Dates, Eligibility & Registration Guide (+ Practice Tips)
Let’s cut the fluff. If you’re aiming for grad school, the GRE is your battlefield. You need to know what’s on the test, when it’s happening, and how to register like yesterday. So let’s break down the GRE 2026 info clearly and smartly, like your best friend explaining it over coffee.
1. GRE 2026 Syllabus: What’s Actually on the Test?
The GRE General Test focuses on three key sections:
- Analytical Writing
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
You’re looking at roughly 1 hour 58 minutes total, broken down into two Verbal sections ( 41 min), two Quant ( 47 min), and the writing piece ( 30 min).
Verbal tests your reading, vocab, and critical reasoning.
Quant checks arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data interpretation.
AW drops an essay challenge, critique, or expand on an issue.
2. GRE 2026 Exam Dates
GRE General is offered year-round, both at home and at test centers. Booking early is smart, seats go fast!
For GRE Subject Tests (like Physics, Math, Psychology), ETS lets you sit only during specific windows:
- Sept 8 to 21, 2025
- Oct 13 to26, 2025
- Apr 20 to May 3, 2026
3. GRE 2026 Eligibility
Simple: anyone aiming for graduate programs in the U.S. or abroad can take the GRE General Test. No specific eligibility restrictions.
Subject Test? It depends more on your academic background or program requirements.
ETS
4. GRE 2026 Registration: How to Sign Up
Head over to ETS.gov, make a GRE account, and go register. Here’s the lean guide:
- Choose between at-home or test-center delivery.
- Fill in details, pick a date, ID, and pay.
- Schedule a smart book at least 3 to 4 months ahead if doing it at a center. Elsewhere, home test slots are more flexible.
Want to cancel or move your date? You can just do it 4 days before your test or risk losing your money (longer notice needed in China).
5. GRE Practice Test Tips
Real prep tip fam: use official ETS PowerPrep mock tests. They’re the actual closest to the real deal. Get used to the format, timing, and pressure; don’t skip it.
6. GRE Registration & ETS Insights
Your home base is ETS, that’s the official maker, scheduler, and score-sender.
ETS
FAQs – You Got Questions, I Got Answers
Q1: How many times can I take the GRE in a year?
You can take the GRE once every 21 days, up to 5 times per rolling year (12 months).
Q2: When should I register?
For fall admission? Test in summer, reserve your spot early to avoid last-minute hassles.
Q3: General vs Subject Tests, what’s the difference?
General measures writing, math, voand cab. Subject is field-specific (like Physics, Math). Offered just during limited windows.
Q4: How long before scores land?
General scores = 10 days after the test. Subject scores = reported during specific windows (like Sept 29, after the Sept window).
Q5: Are practice tests free?
ETS gives some freebies; your best starting point. If you’re feeling extra, some paid third-party mock platforms help too.
Wrap-up Table
| Topic | Key Info |
|---|---|
| Syllabus | AW, Verbal, Quant 2 hrs |
| Dates | General = year round; Subject = fixed windows |
| Eligibility | Anyone grad bound |
| Registration | Via ETS, plan ahead |
| Practice | Use official tests |
| Attempt Limit | 5/year, 21-day gap |