Quick answer: International students register for the GRE by creating an ETS account, choosing either a local test center appointment or the GRE General Test at Home, entering their name exactly as it appears on their government photo identification, completing payment, and confirming the appointment. Rules about acceptable identification, test center availability, payment methods, accommodations, and score reporting vary by country, so confirm the current requirements on the official ETS website before you register.
Why this matters
Registration details and testing rules directly affect whether you can sit for the GRE, which scores universities receive, and how smoothly your test day goes. For international applicants, small errors such as a name mismatch, an expired passport, or missing documentation can result in denied admission to the testing room or delays in score reporting. Understanding the process saves time, reduces stress, and helps ensure your scores reach graduate programs on time.
Main explanation: how GRE registration for international students works
This section explains the full process and key policies for international test takers. “ETS” refers to Educational Testing Service, the organization that administers the GRE. The GRE General Test is available at test centers worldwide and as a home-based option in many countries. Subject Tests may have different availability and are offered only at designated test centers. Registration steps, ID rules, accommodation procedures, and score reporting follow ETS policies, and availability or requirements can differ by country or test center.
Two main delivery options
- Test center delivery: The traditional computer-delivered GRE at an authorized local testing center. Centers follow ETS security and ID rules.
- GRE at Home: The test administered to your computer at your residence, proctored remotely. Hardware, software, and room conditions must meet ETS requirements.
Where to register
Register on the ETS GRE registration site. You must have an ETS account to schedule, reschedule, cancel, request accommodations, and order additional score reports. Because regional options and appointment availability differ, international students should confirm test center locations, at-home availability, and local policies on the ETS site before selecting a date.
Key terminology
- ETS account: Your online account on the ETS website where you register, manage appointments, and view scores.
- Test center appointment confirmation: The confirmation document or email you must bring to the test center. Some centers may require a printed copy.
- Unofficial scores: For computer-delivered GRE General Test, unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores are shown at the test center after you complete the test. Official scores are delivered by ETS later.
- ScoreSelect: ETS policy that lets you choose which test date scores to send to institutions. Confirm current ScoreSelect options on ETS.
Requirements, rules, and eligibility
This section covers identification, registration, technical, testing, and documentation requirements that are especially relevant to international students.
Identification requirements
- Bring the exact government-issued photo identification you used when you registered. For most international test takers this is a passport.
- The name on your ETS registration must match the name on your ID exactly. That includes order of names, middle names, initials, punctuation, and diacritics when applicable. If your name appears differently in different documents, follow ETS instructions for name changes or provide acceptable documentation when requested.
- ID must be valid and unexpired. If your passport will expire before your planned test date or before scores are required by schools, renew it and register using the renewed passport name and number, or check ETS guidance for acceptable alternative IDs.
- Check the ETS acceptable ID policy for your country because some countries allow alternate government IDs. If you do not have an acceptable government ID, contact ETS customer service for guidance before registration day.
Registration requirements
- Create an ETS account using a personal email address you check regularly.
- Provide your legal name, date of birth, contact information, and identification details exactly as they appear on your ID.
- Select whether you will test at a center or at home. Availability depends on your country.
- Complete payment using the payment methods offered during registration in your country. Accepted methods vary by location.
- Confirm your appointment and save or print the confirmation email. You may need it for entry to the center.
Technical requirements for GRE at Home
- Your computer, operating system, browser, camera, microphone, and internet connection must meet ETS minimum requirements. Run the ETS system check before test day.
- You will need a private, quiet room with a clear workspace and no interruptions for the entire test time.
- Follow ETS rules about what is permitted in the testing room and how the proctoring software monitors the session.
- If your country blocks or limits the proctoring software or required network traffic, GRE at Home may not be available.
Testing requirements and eligibility
- The GRE has age and other eligibility rules determined by ETS. Generally, anyone who meets the ID requirements can register, subject to local rules.
- Some countries may have limited test center capacity or restricted dates depending on local approvals or health measures.
- Subject Test availability differs from the General Test. Check ETS for current Subject Test locations and dates.
Documentation and accommodations
- If you require test accommodations for a disability or health-related condition, request accommodations through ETS’s Services for Test Takers with Disabilities and Health-related Needs. You will need to submit documentation supporting your request.
- Documentation requirements vary by condition, and ETS evaluates requests individually. Start the process early because approvals take time and documentation standards vary by country.
Step-by-step process
1. Before you register
- Decide whether you will test at a center or at home, based on availability in your country and your access to a compliant testing environment.
- Confirm you have an acceptable, valid government-issued photo ID, typically your passport. Renew your passport if it will be expired around your test date or application deadlines.
- Gather any required supporting documents if you plan to request accommodations.
- Check ETS for country-specific policies, test center availability, and up-to-date rules.
2. Create an ETS account
- Go to the official ETS GRE registration site and set up an account with a valid email address.
- Complete your profile and verify your email if required.
3. Register for a test appointment
- Log into your ETS account and choose “Register/Find Test Centers, Dates.”
- Select the GRE General Test or Subject Test.
- Search available test centers and dates in your country, or select GRE at Home if available and you prefer that option.
- Enter your identification information exactly as it appears on your government-issued ID.
- Complete payment using the options provided. Keep records of your payment confirmation.
- Download or print your appointment confirmation and read test day instructions.
4. If you need accommodations
- Visit ETS Services for Test Takers with Disabilities and Health-related Needs and follow the instructions for submitting a request.
- Upload or mail required documentation as described by ETS. Documentation requirements depend on the condition and country.
- Wait for ETS to review and provide a decision. Do not assume an accommodation is approved until you receive ETS confirmation.
5. Changing or canceling your appointment
- To reschedule or cancel, log into your ETS account and follow the Manage Your Appointment link. Options and any applicable penalties depend on ETS policies and timing.
- Rescheduling or canceling close to the appointment date may be limited. Review ETS terms for exact rules and any refund or fee policies before making changes.
6. On test day
- Arrive early at the test center with your valid ID and appointment confirmation, or prepare your testing room for GRE at Home per ETS instructions.
- Follow the proctor’s instructions and ETS security procedures. You will be required to show and verify your ID.
- For computer-delivered tests, you will receive unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores at the test center after finishing. Official score reports are issued later by ETS.
7. Sending scores to schools
- During registration you can select up to a limited number of free score recipients. Confirm the current number on the ETS site.
- After your test, you can order additional score reports to be sent to more institutions for a fee. The process is handled through your ETS account.
- Check whether the universities you apply to accept GRE at Home scores and any country-specific reporting requirements.
Common problems and solutions
The following issues are frequent for international test takers. Each entry explains the problem and gives practical solutions.
Name mismatch between registration and ID
Problem: The name you used when registering does not exactly match the name on your passport or other acceptable ID. This can lead to denial of entry on test day.
Solution: Always register using your legal name exactly as it appears on your ID. If you realize after registering that the names do not match, contact ETS immediately to correct your registration. If you change your name between registration and test day, follow ETS procedures for name changes and bring supporting documentation to the test center.
Expired passport
Problem: Your passport will expire before your test date or before scores are required for admissions.
Solution: Renew your passport before registration if possible. If the passport expires after registration but before test day, consult ETS guidance and, if necessary, update your registration with your renewed passport details. Do not assume that a different government ID will be acceptable without verifying with ETS.
Payment or registration failure
Problem: Your payment fails or your registration does not complete due to regional payment restrictions or errors.
Solution: Try an alternate payment method if available, such as a different card or bank. Contact ETS customer service for assistance. Save screenshots or receipts of failed payment attempts to help resolve the issue.
Test center closed or appointment canceled
Problem: A test center cancels due to local conditions or administrative reasons.
Solution: Monitor your email for official communications from ETS. If your appointment is canceled, ETS will provide options for rebooking or refunds according to their policies. Check available nearby centers and the GRE at Home option if offered in your country.
Technical problems with GRE at Home
Problem: System checks fail, internet interruptions occur, or proctoring software prevents completion.
Solution: Run multiple system checks well before the test date. Use a wired internet connection if possible, close background applications, and ensure no background processes will interrupt the test. Contact ETS tech support promptly if issues occur. If a test session is interrupted and cannot be completed due to technical problems that are not your fault, ETS has policies for addressing those situations. Review ETS instructions before test day.
Score reporting delays
Problem: Official scores do not appear when you expect them.
Solution: Understand that unofficial scores and official score delivery are different. If official scores are delayed beyond the timeframe suggested by ETS, contact ETS customer service. Keep in mind that universities also have different processing times and may receive and post scores at different times.
Practical examples and scenarios
Scenario 1: Using a passport with different name spellings
Ahmed’s passport spells his family name with one accent and no hyphen, but his university documents and previous TOEFL registration use a slightly different spelling. He registers for the GRE using the exact name on his passport. On test day he brings the passport and a scanned copy of his university ID. Because the name on the registration matches the passport, the test center admits him. Ahmed later uses his passport-name copy for GRE score reports and lists the same name on university applications or submits official documentation showing the alternate spelling if required by the school.
Scenario 2: Choosing GRE at Home from a country with restricted internet
Maya considers GRE at Home but discovers her local ISP blocks the proctoring platform. She runs the ETS system check and confirms the proctoring software cannot operate on her network. She decides to register at a nearby authorized test center instead. In this case she also contacts ETS customer service to ask whether the GRE at Home option can be made available and documents the attempt in case she needs accommodations.
Scenario 3: Requesting accommodations as an international applicant
Juan requires extra testing time due to a documented learning disability. He gathers up-to-date medical documentation and translates any non-English records if requested by ETS, following ETS instructions. He submits the accommodations request well before his desired test date. Once ETS approves the accommodation he schedules his appointment at a center that can provide the special arrangements or selects GRE at Home if the accommodation is available there.
Comparison tables
Test center vs GRE at Home
| Feature | Test center | GRE at Home |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Offered widely; dates and seats vary by center and country | Offered in many countries but not all; subject to local restrictions |
| ID verification | ID checked in person at the center | ID checked remotely via camera before testing |
| Equipment | Provided by center | Your computer, camera, and internet must meet ETS requirements |
| Monitoring | In-person proctors and security procedures | Remote proctoring software monitors audio and video |
| Room setup | Center provides quiet testing room | You must provide a private, interruption-free room |
Reschedule vs Cancel
| Action | What it does | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Reschedule | Change your test date or center | Use if you need a different date or center and ETS allows changes |
| Cancel | Remove your appointment; may qualify for a refund depending on policy | Use if you will not test and want to stop the appointment |
Passport vs other government IDs
| Criteria | Passport | Other government ID |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance | Generally accepted worldwide and preferred for international students | May be acceptable in some countries; check ETS country-specific rules |
| Validity | Must be unexpired | Must be government-issued, have photo, and be unexpired |
| Recommended for score reports and applications | Yes | Only if explicitly allowed by ETS in your country |
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I register for the GRE with a different name than on my passport?
No. Your GRE registration must match the name on the government-issued photo identification you will present on test day. If you need to use a different name due to legal name changes, follow ETS instructions to update your registration and provide supporting documentation.
2. Do international universities accept GRE at Home scores?
Many institutions accept GRE at Home scores, but some may have preferences or restrictions. Confirm with each university you are applying to whether they accept GRE at Home scores and check ETS for any institution-specific policies.
3. What happens if my internet fails during GRE at Home?
If your connection drops, follow ETS troubleshooting instructions and contact ETS support. If the interruption is due to factors beyond your control, ETS has policies to review interrupted sessions. Save logs and document the issue to support any complaint or request for a retest.
4. How do I request special testing arrangements for disability?
Submit a request through ETS Services for Test Takers with Disabilities and Health-related Needs and include required documentation. Start early because approvals are not immediate and documentation standards vary.
5. Can I change my test date after registering?
Yes, you can reschedule through your ETS account if seats are available. Rescheduling rules, deadlines, and any applicable fees are determined by ETS and may vary by country and timing.
6. What identification is acceptable at international test centers?
ETS requires a valid, government-issued photo ID. For most international test takers, a passport is the best and most widely accepted form of ID. Country-specific exceptions exist, so check ETS’s acceptable ID list for your location.
7. How do I send my GRE scores to universities?
During registration you can select institutions to receive scores. After testing you can also order additional score reports through your ETS account for a fee. Verify whether schools require official electronic delivery directly from ETS.
8. If I need to cancel, will I get a refund?
ETS has policies regarding cancellations and refunds. Refund availability and amounts depend on timing and the specific circumstances. Check the ETS policies for exact rules applicable to your situation.
9. Are testing rules different for international students?
Basic ETS policies are consistent worldwide, but implementation details, test center availability, acceptable forms of ID, and payment options can vary by country. Verify local details on ETS’s country pages.
10. What should I do if my ETS account is locked or I cannot access it?
Contact ETS customer service immediately and follow their identity verification steps. Keep records of your registration confirmation and payment receipts to help resolve access issues.
Important notes
- ETS is the authoritative source for all GRE policies and procedures. Always verify current rules, fees, availability, and timelines on the official ETS GRE website at https://www.ets.org/gre.
- Policies may change over time and can differ by country. Do not rely on third-party summaries for final decisions about ID, accommodations, or scheduling.
- Start registration and any accommodation requests early to allow time for processing.
- Keep digital and printed copies of confirmations, receipts, and correspondence with ETS.
- If you plan to apply to graduate programs with strict deadlines, schedule your GRE date and allow time for potential rescheduling or retakes if needed.
Final thoughts
For international students, careful preparation around registration details, identification, and local availability is essential to a smooth GRE experience. Start by confirming acceptable IDs and test delivery options in your country, create and verify your ETS account, and submit any accommodation requests well in advance. Run system checks if you choose GRE at Home, and double-check that your registration name matches your ID exactly. For any uncertainties, consult the official ETS GRE pages or contact ETS customer service so you have the most reliable and current information when you register and test.
