Are you planning to take the GRE in 2025 and wondering what’s the ideal time to take the test? The truth is, there’s no single best time for everyone. The optimal time to take the GRE is simply when you feel most prepared.
The good news is that the GRE is offered almost every weekend throughout the year at various centres in major cities. This gives you plenty of flexibility to schedule it based on your readiness. In this blog, we’ll explore when you should take the GRE in 2024 for Fall and Spring intake in 2025.
What to Take the GRE for Fall 2025?
You should take the GRE based on the type of applicant you are. The best time to take GRE is:
- Penultimate Year for Students: Students should take the GRE in their penultimate year of study. This means that if you plan on studying abroad directly after graduating, then you should take the GRE in the second last year of college.
- Any Time for Working Professionals: As a working professional, you may not get a lot of time to sit and study for the GRE. You can study during free hours or over the weekends. One piece of advice to you would be to take multiple practice tests. Any time you feel like you’re ready to take the test, you can book the GRE test date. Keep in mind the deadlines though.
When to Take the GRE for Spring 2025?
For those of you aspiring to study abroad in Spring 2025, the ideal timeframe to take the GRE would be between January and May 2024. This allows ample time for preparation, potential retakes if needed, and aligning with most university application deadlines. Taking the GRE during this period provides a buffer period to retake the GRE if the initial score isn’t satisfactory. Additionally, it still leaves enough time for the scores to reach universities before the application deadlines.
However, it’s equally important to avoid delaying the test until the last minute. May should be the absolute latest to take the GRE, considering the time required for score reporting and potential delays in the application process.
Read also: GRE Exam Syllabus 2024
Why Should You Take the GRE in Advance?
There are several reasons to take the GRE well in advance of your university application deadlines:
1. Retake opportunity: If your initial GRE score doesn’t meet your expectations, taking the test early allows ample time for further study and retaking the exam.
2. Official scorecard generation: While unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores are available on test day, the final scorecard, including the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) score, takes approximately two weeks to generate. This official scorecard is required for your application.
3. Score submission and processing time: Submitting official scores to universities through ETS can take anywhere from five days to three weeks. Additionally, universities may need a week or more to process and update your application with the received scores.
4. Early application advantage: Many priority deadlines fall in November or December. Having your GRE scores ready and submitted well ahead of these deadlines shows your preparedness and can give you an edge as an early applicant.
5. Additional language test preparation: If required, you’ll also need time to prepare for and take the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE exams. The report generation and submission process for these tests can also take up to two weeks each.
Does taking the GRE at the end of the month mean easier questions? It’s a common misconception that taking the GRE towards the end of the month results in easier or more repeated questions. This is simply not true. The GRE is a computer-adaptive test. This means the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on your performance throughout the exam. While some questions may be repeated, this is unrelated to the test date and is purely coincidental. |
Read also:GRE Score Range
When Should You Take the GRE in 2024?
For students, the penultimate year of study is often the optimal time to take the GRE. This is typically the second-to-last year of your undergraduate degree. This timeline allows you to focus on your GRE preparation while still having a manageable course load. It also gives you ample time to retake the test if needed before university application deadlines. Additionally, taking the GRE during your penultimate year ensures that your academic knowledge is fresh, which can be beneficial for the exam.
On the other hand, working professionals have more flexibility in choosing when to take the GRE. Since juggling work and study can be demanding, it’s important to create a study schedule that fits your lifestyle. You should use free hours or weekends for preparation as a common approach. Try to use online GRE resources and practice tests to assess your progress and identify areas that need improvement. Registering for the GRE can be done at any time, once you feel adequately prepared. However, be sure to factor in the application deadlines of your desired graduate programs when scheduling your test date.
After deciding when to take the GRE, securing your preferred test centre and date can be a challenge, especially during peak application season. Availability at desired locations can become limited quickly. To ensure you get your ideal test centre and date, it’s strongly recommended to book well in advance. Bonus tip: Rescheduling the date and changing the test centre of the GRE is possible, but they incur a fee of INR 5,000, respectively. Early booking not only guarantees your preferences but also avoids unnecessary fees and stress later on. |
Read also: GRE Sample Paper
How to Ace the GRE with Yocket Prep
Are you worried about your GRE preparation? Yocket Prep gives you a personalised plan. Start by taking our GRE diagnostic test to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses. This knowledge allows you to focus your studies on the areas that need the most work.
Yocket’s 40+ personalised practice tests adapt to your learning pace, constantly challenging you with GRE practice questions tailored to your progress. Detailed explanations after every question ensure you not only get the answer right but truly understand the concept.
Yocket Prep+ doesn’t stop at practice problems. Seven ultra-realistic GRE-style tests allow you to experience the actual GRE exam format and hone your test-taking skills under pressure. WithYocket Prep+, you’ll approach the GRE feeling confident, prepared, and ready to ace it.
From the Desk of Yocket
The best time to take the GRE for Fall 2025 admissions depends largely on your circ*mstances and preparedness. If you’re a current student aiming for Fall 2025 enrollment, taking the GRE in the spring or summer of 2025 allows for sufficient time to study, potentially retake the test, and meet application deadlines, which are typically in December or January. This also gives you ample time to research and shortlist universities.
However, if you’re a working professional with limited time, taking the GRE in the Fall of 2024 might be a better option. This provides you with the flexibility to prepare at your own pace, manage work commitments, and still meet most application deadlines. Additionally, taking the GRE exam earlier allows you to focus on other application components, like essays and letters of recommendation, without feeling rushed. The best time is when you feel most prepared and confident in your ability to perform well on the exam.
