GRE Score Validity 2025: Duration, Rules & Planning Tips

Your GRE score validity lasts for 5 years from the date you take the test. For example, if you take the GRE in October 2025, your score can be used for applications until October 2030. Understanding GRE score validity is essential for planning your study abroad journey, applying to multiple universities, or even taking a gap year without needing to retake the exam. Knowing how long your scores remain valid helps you schedule your test strategically and align it with your target admission cycles. 

In this guide, you’ll read more about the GRE score validity period, how to check your score validity, what happens when scores expire, how universities use valid scores, and tips to plan your GRE attempt wisely. 

What Is GRE Score Validity? 

GRE score validity refers to the period during which your GRE (Graduate Record Examination) scores are officially accepted by universities and institutions. The Educational Testing Service (ETS), which conducts the GRE, sets this validity period.  

It is the timeframe in which your test results remain valid for admissions, scholarships, and other academic purposes. Knowing how long GRE scores are valid helps you plan your test date, align with university deadlines, and avoid unnecessary retakes. 

Key ETS Rules for GRE Score Validity 

Rule	ETS Guideline
Validity period	5 years from test date
Retake frequency	Once every 21 days
Max retakes in 12 months	5 attempts
Score reporting	Can send to multiple universities; extra reports may have a fee
Score retention	ETS keeps all attempts for 5 years
Programs covered	Master’s, MBA, PhD, and other GRE-required programs
Score expiry	Automatically expires after 5 years
University preference	Some programs prefer more recent scores (2–3 years)

How to Check GRE Validity?

Checking your GRE validity is a simple process, and it’s important to ensure your scores are still usable for university applications. All GRE scores are maintained by ETS (Educational Testing Service), so you will need to use your ETS account to view your scores and their validity period. 

Step-by-Step Process: 

1. Log in to your ETS account 
2. Go to the official GRE website: www.ets.org/gre 
3. Use the username and password you created when you registered for the GRE. 
4. Access your score reports 
5. Once logged in, navigate to “View Your Scores” or “Score Reports.” 
6. You will see a list of all the GRE tests you have taken. 
7. Check the test date 
8. Each score report shows the exact date you took the test. 
9. The validity period is automatically five years from this date. 
10. Look for the expiration status 
11. ETS indicates whether a score is still valid or has expired. 
12. If your score is approaching expiry, you can plan your applications accordingly. 

Note: Keep a screenshot or PDF of your GRE score report for reference. It serves as an official record and can be submitted to universities when required. 

GRE Score Validity at Top Universities 

When applying to top universities, understanding GRE score validity is crucial. While ETS (Educational Testing Service) sets the official validity period at five years, each university may prefer more recent scores. Knowing this helps you plan your applications and ensures your scores are accepted. 

GRE Validity Preferences at Popular Universities: 

University	Official GRE Validity	Preferred Score Age
Harvard University	5 years	2–3 years
Stanford University	5 years	3 years
MIT	5 years	2–3 years
UC Berkeley	5 years	2–3 years
University of Oxford	5 years	2–3 years
University of Cambridge	5 years	2–3 years
Columbia University	5 years	3 years
University of Chicago	5 years	2–3 years

Key Points to Remember: 

• All GRE scores are valid for five years according to ETS. 
• Top universities often prefer recent scores (2–3 years). 
• You can use the same scores for multiple applications or retake if needed. 

Note: Submitting recent, valid GRE scores can strengthen your application and keep you on schedule. 

What Happens When GRE Scores Expire?

GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date, as set by ETS (Educational Testing Service). Once this period ends, your scores are no longer accepted for university admissions or scholarships. Expired scores cannot be reactivated or reported. This makes it important to plan applications carefully and check your ETS account regularly. If your scores are about to expire or have expired, you will need to retake the GRE to obtain a new valid score. 

Practical Scenarios After GRE Scores Expire 

Scenario	Impact	Recommended Action
Applying with expired scores	Scores will be rejected by universities	Retake the GRE and submit new scores
Using scores for scholarships	Expired scores cannot be used	Ensure scholarship applications use valid scores
Multiple applications	Only valid scores can be sent	Verify scores in ETS account before sending
Retake after expiration	New score gets a fresh five-year validity	Plan test and applications to avoid gaps

By keeping track of your GRE scores and understanding what happens when GRE scores expire, you can avoid application issues and ensure your results remain useful throughout the admissions process. 

How to Plan GRE Attempt Around Validity?

Planning your GRE attempt around score validity is crucial to ensure your scores remain usable for admissions and scholarships. Since ETS (Educational Testing Service) scores are valid for five years, knowing when to take the test and how it aligns with application deadlines can save you time and stress. 

Steps to Plan Your GRE Attempt: 

• Check application deadlines first: List the universities and programs you plan to apply to and note their GRE submission deadlines. 
• Count backward from the deadline: Ensure your GRE scores will still be valid at the time of application. Remember, ETS scores are valid for five years from the test date. 
• Allow buffer time for retakes: If you aim for a higher score, schedule your first attempt early enough to allow a retake if needed. ETS allows a GRE retake once every 21 days, up to 5 times in a 12-month period. 
• Consider program preferences: Some universities prefer recent scores, usually within 2–3 years, even though ETS accepts scores up to five years old. Plan accordingly. 
• Account for score reporting time: Sending scores to universities takes a few days, so plan your test date to avoid last-minute issues. 

Example Planning Timeline: 

Action	Suggested Timeframe
Research programs & deadlines	6–12 months before applications
Schedule first GRE attempt	5–6 months before earliest deadline
Review scores & decide on retake	3–4 months before deadline
Take retake if needed	At least 1 month before submission
Send scores to universities	2–3 weeks before application deadlines

Note: Plan your GRE attempt so your scores peak in relevance for your key applications, maximizing impact without unnecessary retakes. 

GRE Validity vs Other Exams 

When planning for higher education, it’s important to understand how GRE score validity compares with other exams like GMAT and SAT. Each exam has its own rules for how long scores remain valid, which can affect your application timeline and strategy. 

Comparison: GRE vs GMAT vs SAT: 

GRE	GMAT	SAT
5 years from test date	5 years from test date	5 years from test date
Master’s, MBA, PhD, and other graduate programs	Primarily MBA and some graduate business programs	Undergraduate programs
Once every 21 days, up to 5 times in 12 months	Up to 5 times in 12 months	Retakes allowed per test schedule; no strict limit
Can send to multiple universities; ETS retains scores 5 years	Can send to multiple universities	Can send to multiple universities
Some universities prefer 2–3 years old scores	Some business schools prefer recent scores	Most universities prefer recent scores

Some graduate programs accept either GRE or GMAT scores, so planning which test to submit based on validity and your preparation level can save unnecessary retakes. If you take multiple exams, aligning their validity periods ensures all scores remain usable for your applications. 

Conclusion 

Understanding GRE score validity is essential for anyone planning to pursue graduate studies abroad. The GRE validity period is generally five years from the test date, but knowing how long GRE scores are valid helps you plan applications strategically, avoid unnecessary retakes, and submit scores that align with program requirements. Some universities may have preferences for more recent scores, so keeping track of how long a GRE test score is valid can make a significant difference in your application strategy. 

To ensure you make the most of your GRE journey and understand the nuances of score validity, you can book a free 1:1 counseling session with upGrad experts. We will help you plan your test dates, align your scores with application deadlines, and provide personalized guidance for submitting scores that meet university and scholarship requirements.