GRE 2026: Complete Guide for Indian Students (New Shorter Format)

The GRE 2026 (Graduate Record Examination) is the most widely accepted standardised test for graduate school admissions worldwide — and if you are an Indian student planning to pursue an MS, MBA, or PhD in the USA, Germany, or Canada, this complete guide is your definitive resource. Since September 22, 2023, the GRE has adopted a shorter format lasting approximately 1 hour 58 minutes — nearly half the old test duration — making it faster, less exhausting, and more accessible for Indian students. At EEC, with 27+ years of experience and 50,000+ students placed globally, our trainers have mastered every section of the new shorter GRE. Here is everything you need to know about the GRE 2026 — from format and fees to scoring, preparation strategy, and coaching options.

What Is the GRE?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, developed and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), is the world's most widely accepted graduate admissions test. Accepted by over 1,000 graduate and business schools across the USA, Canada, Germany, UK, Australia, and more, the GRE measures your readiness for advanced academic study across three key skills: Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning.

For Indian students, the GRE is critical because the USA is the #1 study abroad destination for MS and PhD programs, and virtually every American university requires or recommends GRE scores. Unlike language proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS, the GRE measures academic aptitude — your ability to analyse arguments, reason quantitatively, and communicate complex ideas. Many programs in Germany (especially TU Munich and RWTH Aachen) also accept GRE scores for STEM programs.

GRE Format 2026 (New Shorter Format)

On September 22, 2023, ETS launched the shorter GRE — the most significant format change in the test's history. The new GRE takes approximately 1 hour 58 minutes compared to the old 3 hour 45 minute format. The unscored Research section and one Verbal/Quant section were eliminated, while the Analytical Writing section was reduced from two essays to one. This shorter format means less fatigue, better focus, and faster results for Indian students.

The shorter format is especially beneficial for Indian students who often struggled with fatigue during the old 3+ hour marathon. With ~2 hours of focused testing, you can now perform at your peak throughout the entire exam. The question types and difficulty remain the same — only the volume and duration have been reduced.

GRE Scoring System

The GRE uses a section-adaptive scoring system. Each Verbal and Quantitative section is scored from 130-170 in 1-point increments, giving a combined score range of 260-340. The Analytical Writing section is scored separately from 0-6 in half-point increments. Your performance in the first section of Verbal or Quant determines the difficulty level of the second section — a correct answer on a harder question is worth more than on an easier one.

According to ETS data, the average GRE score for Indian test-takers is approximately Verbal 149, Quant 162, AW 3.5. Indian students typically excel in the Quantitative section (thanks to strong mathematics education) but face challenges in Verbal Reasoning. For competitive MS programs in the USA, a score of 320+ (V155+ Q165+) is generally considered strong. See our university-wise GRE score requirements for specific targets.

GRE Fee & Registration

The GRE General Test fee in India is ₹22,000 (approximately US $275). Registration is done online through the ETS website (ets.org). You can pay via credit card, debit card, or PayPal. The fee includes sending scores to up to 4 universities for free on test day.

For a detailed walkthrough of the registration process, accepted ID documents, and scheduling tips, see our complete GRE fee and registration guide. EEC students receive personalised scheduling advice to align test dates with target university deadlines.

Test Centers & At-Home Option

ETS operates GRE test centres in major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, and Ahmedabad. Test dates are available year-round at Prometric centres, but popular dates fill up fast — especially during the July-October peak application season. You can also take the GRE at home using the ETS GRE at Home option with ProctorU live proctoring.

Who Should Take the GRE?

The GRE is required or recommended for the following pathways:

MS in USA: The majority of MS programs in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, and STEM fields require GRE scores. See our GRE scores for MS in CS and MS in Data Science guides.

MBA Abroad: Over 1,300 business schools worldwide accept GRE scores in lieu of GMAT. Top MBA programs like Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, and Wharton all accept GRE. See our GRE vs GMAT comparison.

PhD Programs: Most funded PhD programs in the USA require strong GRE scores, especially in STEM fields where Quant scores above 165 are expected.

Germany STEM Programs: Several German universities including TU Munich, RWTH Aachen, and TU Berlin accept or recommend GRE scores for engineering and technical programs. Explore MS in Germany.

GRE vs Other Tests

The GRE is often compared to the GMAT (for MBA applicants) and sometimes confused with English proficiency tests like TOEFL and IELTS. Here is a quick distinction: the GRE measures academic aptitude (reasoning, analysis, quantitative skills), while TOEFL/IELTS measure English language proficiency. Most US Master's programs require BOTH a GRE score AND a TOEFL/IELTS score. EEC coaches both at ₹7,500 each — a combined investment of just ₹15,000 for complete test preparation.

For MBA applicants specifically, the GRE vs GMAT comparison is critical reading. The GRE offers more flexibility because it is accepted for both MS and MBA programs, while the GMAT is limited to business schools.

How to Prepare for GRE

A strong GRE preparation plan typically spans 2-3 months for Indian students. The key areas to focus on:

Quantitative Reasoning (Your Advantage)

Indian students have a natural advantage in GRE Quant thanks to rigorous mathematics education in school and competitive exam culture (JEE, CAT). The GRE Quant section covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis at a level roughly equivalent to Class 10-12 CBSE mathematics. With structured practice, scoring 165+ on Quant is achievable for most Indian students. See our GRE Quant tips for scoring 165+.

Verbal Reasoning (Your Challenge)

Verbal Reasoning is where most Indian students lose points. The section tests vocabulary (Text Completion, Sentence Equivalence) and reading comprehension (Reading Comprehension passages). Building a strong GRE vocabulary of 800-1,000 high-frequency words and practising passage analysis techniques are essential. Start Verbal preparation early and dedicate at least 60% of your study time to it.

Analytical Writing

The AW section requires you to write one essay (Analyse an Issue) in 30 minutes. While AW scores of 3.0-3.5 are typical for Indian students, top programs expect 4.0+. Practise writing structured essays with clear thesis statements, logical reasoning, and specific examples. EEC provides essay templates and personalised feedback.

For a detailed week-by-week study plan, see our How to Score 320+ on GRE guide.

GRE Coaching at EEC

EEC is among the most experienced test preparation institutes in India with 27+ years of proven results. Our GRE coaching program is an intensive 4-hour daily online program designed to build skills rapidly. With Online Live classes led by expert trainers and Pre-recorded sessions for flexible self-paced learning, EEC makes top-tier GRE coaching accessible to students across India — not just those in metro cities.

EEC's GRE coaching includes comprehensive Quant and Verbal modules, full-length practice tests, AW essay review, and personalised score improvement plans. Our trainers have coached thousands of Indian students to 320+ scores. And because EEC is also a full-service study abroad consultancy, you get free university shortlisting, application support, and visa guidance alongside your GRE coaching. Book a free GRE consultation to get started.

“The shorter GRE format is a game-changer for Indian students. With just 2 hours of focused testing, you can perform at your peak. EEC's 4-hour daily program builds that peak performance in 8-12 weeks.”

— Vikram Patel, Test Prep & Visa Strategy Head, EEC

Frequently Asked Questions