Most students who ask how long GRE scores are valid want a clear policy answer and practical guidance for planning applications. The short, official answer is simple: GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date. Below are the details applicants should know, how “valid” is commonly interpreted by programs, and practical steps for planning test timing and communicating with admissions offices.
Quick answer
GRE general test and GRE subject test scores remain valid for five years from the test date, according to Educational Testing Service, ETS. You can send any reportable GRE score from the past five years to graduate programs. Individual programs, scholarship committees, or licensing bodies may set stricter recency requirements.
What “valid for five years” actually means
When ETS says a GRE score is valid for five years, it means that ETS maintains the official record of that score and will report it to institutions on request for up to five years after your test date. Key points to understand:
- Scaled scores do not change. Your numeric scores for Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing stay the same on ETS records.
- Percentile ranks can change over time. Percentiles reflect how your scaled score compares with recent test takers and are periodically updated. A score of 160 on Quantitative may show different percentile values in different reporting years, while the scaled score itself remains 160.
- ETS can send scores from any GRE administration within the five-year window. This works together with ETS ScoreSelect, which allows you to choose which test dates to send to institutions, provided the tests fall within the reportable five-year period.
- After five years ETS will generally not report that score for admissions purposes. If you need a score older than five years for a specific purpose, you must discuss options directly with the receiving institution. Some programs may accept older scores at their discretion, but that is rare.
GRE General vs GRE Subject tests
Both the GRE General Test and GRE Subject Tests follow the same ETS policy: five-year validity from the test date. If you took a Subject Test for a field such as Physics or Biology, the ETS reportability window is also five years.
How graduate programs use the five-year rule
Although ETS sets the five-year reportability rule, individual graduate programs make their own admissions policies. Typical variations include:
- Standard acceptance: Most programs accept any ETS-reportable score, which means any score within five years.
- Stricter recency rules: Some programs require test scores to be from within two or three years. This is common for programs that expect current demonstration of quantitative skills or for professional degrees with rapidly changing technical requirements.
- Rolling admissions and funding deadlines: Even if a program accepts five-year-old scores, funding committees or fellowship panels may prefer more recent evidence of ability.
- Program exceptions: A small number of programs will consider older scores if you provide a justification and supporting evidence of recent academic or professional work.
Always check each program’s official admissions page for its GRE recency policy, and if the policy is unclear, contact the admissions office directly in writing.
Practical guidance for planning
Use these rules to schedule your test and applications strategically.
If you plan to apply within five years
- One GRE test can typically cover multiple application cycles, but only up to five years from the test date.
- If you expect to apply to programs across several years, calculate the application deadlines relative to your test date. For example, a test taken on July 15, 2024, will be reportable for applications with deadlines on or before July 14, 2029.
- Retake the GRE if your application deadline falls after the five-year window.
If your scores are close to expiring
- Retake the GRE to ensure your application includes current scores. A newer score often reassures admissions committees about recent competence.
- Contact programs if you have strong reason to request acceptance of an older score, providing supporting evidence such as recent coursework or relevant professional experience.
If you already have GRE scores older than five years
- Expect most programs to request a recent score. Plan to retake the test unless a program explicitly states it will accept older scores.
- Consider whether recent coursework, publications, or professional achievements can partially offset the older GRE. Admissions offices evaluate applications holistically, but test score recency is an easy rule for them to apply.
Score reporting and ScoreSelect
ETS’s ScoreSelect feature lets you choose which qualifying test dates to send to institutions from the last five years. Practical consequences:
- You can avoid sending earlier low scores if you have one or more better scores within the five-year window.
- ScoreSelect does not extend the five-year window. Only scores from the last five years are selectable for reporting.
International applicants and visa timing
International applicants should be mindful of two points:
- Universities set admissions and funding deadlines. A five-year-old GRE might be reportable by ETS yet not meet a program’s recency requirements.
- Visa or credential evaluations generally do not use GRE scores. GRE validity affects admissions decisions, not visa eligibility. For visa documentation, institutions typically rely on admissions decisions and official letters.
Common misunderstandings
- “ETS keeps scores forever.” ETS retains records beyond five years for its archival purposes, but it will not report a score as an official, reportable score for admissions once the five-year period has elapsed.
- “Percentile equals score validity.” Percentiles can change as norms are updated. A change in percentile does not change your scaled score or the five-year validity window.
- “Programs must accept five-year-old scores.” Programs are free to require more recent scores. ETS policy does not override institutional admissions requirements.
What to ask admissions offices if you need an exception
If you want a program to accept a GRE score older than five years, ask these specific questions by email so the response is documented:
- Do you accept GRE scores that are more than five years old?
- If so, are there conditions, such as recent coursework or professional experience, that I should include to support my application?
- Will an older GRE score affect eligibility for program funding, assistantships, or fellowships?
Frequently asked questions
Are GRE subject test scores valid for five years?
Yes. GRE Subject Test scores follow the same ETS policy as the General Test and are reportable for five years from the test date.
Can I use a GRE score from six years ago?
In most cases no. ETS will not report a score older than five years, and most programs require ETS-reportable scores. You can ask a program whether it will accept an older score as an exception, but expect to be asked to retake the GRE.
Do percentiles change after my test?
Percentiles can be updated by ETS as population norms shift. Your scaled score stays the same. Admissions committees typically focus on scaled scores, though percentiles can provide useful context.
What if I canceled my score at the test center?
Canceled scores are not reportable. ETS has procedures for reinstating canceled scores within certain time limits and often for a fee. Check ETS’s official policies for current procedures and deadlines if you are considering reinstatement.
Do programs ever waive the test altogether?
Some programs have GRE-optional or GRE-waiver policies. These policies are separate from ETS score validity. If a program waives the GRE requirement, you do not need to send scores. Always verify the program’s current policy on its admissions webpage.
Final checklist before applying
- Confirm the five-year window relative to each program’s application deadline.
- Check each program’s GRE recency policy and funding rules on its official admissions page.
- If your scores will expire before deadlines, plan to retake the GRE early enough to have scores available by application dates.
- Document any communications with admissions offices when seeking exceptions to recency rules.
- Refer to ETS for official policy details on score reporting, ScoreSelect, reinstatement of canceled scores, and percentiles.
Understanding that ETS-reportable GRE scores are valid for five years helps you plan your testing and applications. Because programs set their own requirements, confirm recency rules with the schools you are applying to and schedule your test to ensure scores remain reportable for the cycles you care about.
