GRE Cost Analysis

Cost Analysis of GRE

If you’re planning to take the GRE as part of your journey to graduate school, you’re likely in trouble with math practice and strategy handling! But besides all this preparation, it’s equally essential to consider the financial side of things. The GRE isn’t just an intellectual commitment; it’s also an investment.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a gateway to advanced academic opportunities worldwide. However, the costs associated with the GRE can vary significantly depending on your location. This article provides a detailed analysis of GRE-related expenses worldwide, especially from where many students are heading to the USA every year.

Registration Fees by Country

The GRE General Test registration fee varies depending on the country. It's 220$!!!!. Below is a breakdown of registration fees in the selected countries (as of 2025):

How to pay:

As for India,

Additional Costs and Services

Beyond the registration fees, test-takers often have to bear additional expenses. These include:

In India and Bangladesh, rescheduling fees can be burdensome due to currency exchange rates. In China, rescheduling fees ($53.90) are higher than in most other countries.

GRE at Home

The GRE at Home is priced the same as the in-center test but offers convenience for students in remote locations.

• Cost:
  • India, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and other countries: $220
  • China: $231.30

The GRE at Home requires stable internet, a functional webcam, and a quiet test environment.

Travel and Accommodation Costs

For students in regions with limited test centers, travel and accommodation expenses can be significant.

GRE Fee Reduction Program

The GRE Fee Reduction Program helps you save on the test fees if you meet certain criteria. You can get a big discount if:

• You show financial need
• You’re unemployed and receiving unemployment benefits
• You’re part of national programs that support underrepresented groups or first-gen college students

With the fee reduction voucher, you'll pay only $100 for the GRE General Test and half the normal fee ($75) for a GRE Subject Test. You also get free access to test prep materials worth $100, including:

• POWERPREP PLUS® Online Practice Test 1 ($40 value)
• POWERPREP PLUS Online Practice Test 2 ($40 value)
• ScoreItNow!™ Online Writing Practice ($20 value)

To qualify, U.S. citizens or residents need to meet one of these criteria:

1. College Seniors who get financial aid and have a FAFSA Submission Summary showing a Student Aid Index (SAI) of zero or less.
2. Unenrolled College Graduates who applied for financial aid and have a FAFSA Summary with an SAI of zero or less.

To apply, just fill out the GRE Fee Reduction Request Form (PDF) and submit it to ETS. After approval, you'll get a voucher number by email in about two weeks.

If you want to retake the GRE and got a voucher within the past year, you can apply for another one.

There are also vouchers for unemployed folks who are U.S. citizens or residents, have been unemployed for up to six months, and are getting unemployment benefits. You’ll need to provide proof, like an Unemployment Benefits Statement from the past 90 days.

Finally, some programs that support underrepresented groups can get vouchers too. These include:

• Admit.me Fellows
• Charles B. Rangel Fellowship Program
• EducationUSA Opportunity Fund Program
• Gates Millennium Scholars Program
• NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program
• TRIO Programs (like TRIO McNair)

For more details, check out the form on ETS and follow the instructions on how to apply!

Refund & Cancellation Policies

ETS has specific rules for refunds and cancellations:

Refunds

• Test-takers who cancel their registration at least four days before the test date receive 50% of the test fee.
• Refunds are processed to the original payment method and may take up to 15 business days.

Cancellation by ETS

If ETS cancels a test for reasons other than force majeure, the full test fee is refunded.

Rescheduling & Test Centre Changes

• Rescheduling Fee: $50 
• Test Centre Change Fee: $50 

Carefully choose your test date and location to avoid these additional charges.

Non-eligible Refunds

 You won’t receive a refund if you:

• Cancel after the deadline
• Fail to submit a task response by the due date
• Submit responses that are off-topic, blank, or unscorable
• Take or attempt an assessment when you later find out you weren’t required or eligible for it
• Register for the incorrect test
• Resubmit the same response during the resubmission period

Payment Options for GRE Fees

ETS offers a variety of secure payment methods. Here are the options available:

Global Payment Options

• Credit/Debit Cards: VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club International, and more.
• PayPal
• eCheck (Electronic Check)

Country-Specific Payment Options

• India:
  • UPI
  • Bharat QR
  • Digital Wallets: Google Pay, Paytm, PhonePe, and more
• Brazil:
  • Credit/Debit Cards (VISA, MasterCard)
  • PayPal
  • Boleto Bancário (a popular payment method in Brazil)
• Bangladesh:
  • Credit/Debit Cards (VISA, MasterCard)
  • PayPal
  • bKash (a mobile wallet service widely used in Bangladesh)
• Pakistan:
  • Credit/Debit Cards (VISA, MasterCard)
  • PayPal
  • EasyPaisa (a mobile wallet service commonly used in Pakistan)

Cash payments are not accepted, and any fraudulent transactions may result in the cancellation of test registration.

 Preparation Costs

The cost of preparing for the GRE can vary based on resources and methods used. If you don't want to spend more money in preparation for the GRE that is also possible as you can get a lot of resources for free online, in other case if you have great tendency to do good then you can buy some hard books and get admitted in some local coaching,

Here’s a global perspective:

• Self-Study Materials:

• Basic study guides and practice tests: $50–$150
• Comprehensive books: $200–$300
• Online Courses:
  • India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh: $150–$500
  • US, Canada, and South Korea: $500–$2,000
• In-Person Coaching:
  • India: ₹50,000–₹200,000 (~$600–$2,500)
  • United States: $1,000–$5,000

Relevant Scenario

Alamin (Bangladesh):

• Alamin is in Bangladesh and uses free online resources to study, so his preparation is cheap. But he needs to travel to another city for the test, which costs about $40 to $50. If he needs to change his test center or reschedule, it will cost him $50. His total cost for the GRE is around $434.

Paul (Brazil):

• Paul lives in Brazil and takes an online GRE preparation course that costs about $500. He also needs to pay $100 for test reports and another $100 for travel and accommodation. So, his total GRE cost is around $1,154.

Ganesh (India):

• Ganesh is in India and spends about $600 to $2,500 on coaching for the GRE. He also buys books for about $150. His travel costs are moderate, and he doesn’t need to reschedule. His total GRE cost is around $960.
   

FAQs 

1. Can I apply for the GRE Fee Reduction Program if I’m not a U.S. citizen?

No, the GRE Fee Reduction Program is primarily available to U.S. citizens or residents who meet certain criteria, such as financial need or enrollment in programs that support underrepresented groups. However, some national programs in other countries may provide similar fee reductions or financial assistance for GRE candidates.

2. Are there any hidden costs when registering for the GRE?

Besides the base registration fee, there are additional costs for services such as rescheduling, changing test centers, or sending extra score reports. Be sure to check the specific fees for these services on the official GRE website, as they can add up to significant amounts, depending on your needs.

3. Can I use a credit card from another country to pay for the GRE registration if I am studying in a different country?

Yes, ETS allows international payment methods like credit/debit cards, PayPal, and country-specific payment systems (like bKash or UPI) for GRE registration. You can use a credit card from your home country as long as it is internationally accepted.

4. What if I need to take the GRE more than once?

If you need to retake the GRE, you’ll have to pay the full registration fee again. However, if you received a GRE Fee Reduction voucher for your first attempt, you may be eligible for another voucher for your retake, depending on your eligibility.

5. Can I take the GRE at home in all countries?

The GRE at Home option is available in many countries, but the specific availability may depend on local regulations and technology requirements. For example, countries like India, Bangladesh, and Nigeria offer GRE at Home, but students in some regions might not have access to this option due to technical restrictions.

6. Do I need to provide proof of my financial situation to qualify for the Fee Reduction Program?

Yes, to qualify for the GRE Fee Reduction Program, you will need to provide documentation, such as a FAFSA summary for U.S. citizens, or proof of unemployment or financial aid, depending on the criteria. Be sure to check the official GRE website for specific instructions on submitting these documents.

7. How can I get free access to GRE preparation materials?

If you qualify for the GRE Fee Reduction Program, you’ll receive free access to study materials like POWERPREP PLUS® Online Practice Test 1, POWERPREP PLUS Online Practice Test 2, and ScoreItNow!™ Writing Practice. These resources can help you prepare at no extra cost.

8. Is it cheaper to take the GRE in certain countries?

Yes, the GRE registration fee varies by country. For example, students in India and Bangladesh may pay around $220, while students in China may face a higher fee of $231.30. The differences are due to exchange rates, local taxes, and operational costs for ETS in each region.

9. Can I change my GRE test date without any fees?

No, you cannot change your GRE test date for free. If you need to reschedule, you will incur a fee of $50–$53.90, depending on your country of registration. The fee is the same regardless of the reason for rescheduling, so it's important to plan your test date carefully.

10. How much should I budget for GRE preparation if I want to use a coaching center?

The cost of coaching varies significantly depending on the country and the coaching provider. For example, in India, coaching could cost between $600–$2,500, whereas in the U.S., it could range from $1,000–$5,000. Consider your budget and whether you can supplement coaching with free online resources before committing to an expensive package.