How long is a GRE score valid?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test that is an admissions requirement for many graduate schools in the United States and Canada, as well as other countries. Once you have taken the GRE and received your scores, it is important to know how long these scores remain valid for use in your applications. GRE scores are valid for a period of five years from the date you took the test. This means that if you took the GRE on October 1, 2023, your scores would be valid until October 1, 2028. This five-year validity period provides flexibility for test-takers who may need time to decide on their graduate school plans or who wish to gain additional work experience before pursuing further education. It is crucial for candidates to plan their application timelines accordingly, ensuring that their scores do not expire before the application deadlines of their chosen programs. Once the five-year period has elapsed, the scores will no longer be reportable and you would need to retake the GRE if you wish to apply to programs that require it. It is also worth noting that while the GRE scores are valid for five years, some schools may have their own policies regarding the age of acceptable scores. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check with the specific institutions to which you are applying to confirm their requirements. Additionally, during the five-year validity period, you can send your GRE scores to as many schools as you like, even if you did not initially send them to certain programs at the time of taking the test. This feature allows for added flexibility in applying to different programs over time. Keeping track of your GRE score validity ensures that you can make informed decisions about your graduate education and maintain control over your application process.