GRE Exam 2025 Eligibility Criteria

For the aspirants wanting to take the GRE 2025 exam in India there are no eligibility criteria defined by ETS. Anybody interested in appearing for management courses in India or outside can take the GRE irrespective of past educational qualifications or age. There is no minimum qualification however most aspirants are either in the final year of their graduation or have already done their undergraduate degree.

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ETS also does not specify any age limit for the test. But if candidates appear for the GRE in India, they have to present a valid passport as proof of identity at the test centre. They can appear for the GRE a maximum of five times in a year with a gap of 21 days between two attempts. While available to everyone, the test is most suitable for those who are looking to apply to more advanced management programs that accept GRE scores.

GRE Eligibility 2025

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is widely accepted for entry into various management programs like MBA and PhD programs worldwide. The Graduate Record Examination is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) which has maintained the eligibility criteria wide and elastic to include candidates from diverse backgrounds. Given below is a step-by-step detailed explanation of GRE eligibility criteria 2025 and what they need:

1. Academic Qualification

There are no specific criteria set for the academic qualifications of the aspirant who wants to take the GRE. Though, since the exam is intended for graduate admissions it is most likely taken by:

Undergraduate students in their last year of study or
Individuals who have already obtained their bachelor's degree.

Also, the GRE is not required for every program or university. Candidates may or may not need to provide GRE scores based on the admission criteria of the course or school they want to get admitted to.

2. Age Requirements

The GRE exam does not have an age restriction. There is no minimum or maximum age requirement by ETS and as most of the international universities recruit students from any age group anyone can appear for the GRE be it a fresh graduate or one who has been working and returning to studies after gaining some work experience or a break.

3. ID Requirements (For India)

If the candidates are taking the GRE in India, the sole accepted ID proof is an original Indian passport. Their passport has to be original (no photocopies) and must contain:

Their name in full
A recent photo
Their signature

No other ID documents like Aadhaar, PAN card or driving license will be honoured at the test centre. When registering and on exam day, make sure your passport is still valid.

4. Number of Attempts Allowed

The candidates can take the GRE a maximum of five times within a rolling 12-month period with at least a 21-day gap between every other attempt. This 21-day interval provides the candidates with time to reconsider their preparation and do better.

If candidates are taking a gap year or two before appearing for studies abroad it does not make any difference to their eligibility to sit for the GRE. The test is available to all regardless of their academic or professional gap.

5. Who Can Take the GRE?

In simple terms, anyone willing to undertake graduate studies can sit for the GRE. Whether they are college students thinking ahead, professionals thinking of getting an MBA or career changers the GRE is available to them provided their qualify on basic ID and registration standards.

Top 10 Business Schools Abroad Accepting GRE Scores

MBA Colleges Abroad Accepting GRE Scores
Oxford University, UK	Harvard University
Imperial College London	MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge University, UK	University of California, Berkeley Campus
Stanford University, US	UCL - University College London
ETH Zurich	NUS - National University of Singapore

Top 10 Indian MBA Colleges Accepting GRE Scores

MBA Colleges Abroad Accepting GRE Scores
ePGP - Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA)	ePGP - Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)
Indian Institute of Management Kashipur (IIMK)	Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIM Kozhikode)
Indian School of Business (ISB)	PGP-DGM/PGPEx - Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam (IIMV)
IPMX - Indian Institute of Management Lucknow (IIML - Noida Campus)	XLRI - Xavier Labour Relations Institute
Indian Institute of Management Udaipur (IIMU)	FPM - Indian Institute of Management Raipur (IIMR)

FAQs

Who can appear for the GRE test?

Anyone is eligible to sit for the GRE test. There is no criterion of age or educational qualification prescribed by ETS (the conducting agency). It is typically appeared by those who have graduated or are still studying for their undergraduate degree.

Is there any age restriction to appear for the GRE test?

No, there is no limit on how old you should be to appear for the GRE. The test is open to applicants of any age.

Do I require a specific academic qualification to appear for the GRE?

No. ETS does not specify any minimum educational qualification. But the test is meant for candidates who intend to apply to MBA programs so the majority of candidates hold a bachelor's degree or are in their last year of graduation.

Do I qualify to take the GRE even if I have gap years after graduation?

Yes, gap years won't disqualify you. You can take the GRE whenever you wish even if it has been a few years since you graduated from your undergraduate program.

What are the documents needed for GRE registration in India?

In India, test-takers can only be identified by a valid Indian passport. It should have your name, photograph and signature. Aadhaar or PAN card IDs are not accepted.

GRE Exam 2025 Eligibility Criteria