Quick answer. The phrase gre cancellation policy usually refers to two distinct ETS policies. First, registration or appointment cancellations and rescheduling rules that govern whether you can cancel or change a test date and whether you receive any refund. Second, score cancellation rules that let you permanently cancel the scores from a completed test so ETS will not report them to programs. Both sets of rules vary by test delivery method and can change over time, so confirm specific deadlines, fees, and procedures on the official ETS GRE website before you act.
Why the distinction matters
When people search for gre cancellation policy they mean one of two things. The first is canceling or rescheduling your test appointment before test day. The second is canceling your scores immediately after finishing the test so those scores are not reported to schools. These are separate actions with different consequences, deadlines, and often different fees. Understanding the difference will help you choose the right action when plans change or your test performance is below your expectations.
Overview: Canceling or rescheduling a GRE appointment
What this covers. Canceling or rescheduling refers to changing or withdrawing a future test appointment in your ETS account, either for a test center appointment or for an at-home test.
Common features
- Where to manage it. Manage appointments through your ETS account on the GRE section of the ETS website. Look under your upcoming tests or registrations to find cancel, reschedule, or change options.
- Deadlines apply. ETS typically enforces deadlines for canceling or rescheduling. If you cancel or reschedule well in advance you are more likely to avoid or reduce fees. If you cancel very close to test day or miss the test, you may forfeit most or all of your fee.
- Fees vary and change. Cancellation and rescheduling charges depend on the test type, country, and when you make the change. Policies and fees are set by ETS and are subject to updates.
- Special circumstances. Test-center closures, illness, or visa problems may offer alternative options such as emergency rescheduling or fee waivers, but these require documentation and ETS approval.
Typical steps to cancel or reschedule
- Sign in to your ETS account and go to the GRE section.
- Find the upcoming test appointment in your dashboard or registration history.
- Choose the cancel or reschedule option and follow the prompts. You will see any applicable fees or refund amounts before you confirm.
- Keep confirmation emails and record numbers for your records.
What to expect about refunds
Refund availability depends on the timing and regional policy. In many cases there is a partial refund if you cancel early, while late cancellations or no-shows receive no refund. Because ETS updates fees and regional rules from time to time, verify refund policy in your ETS account before you cancel.
Overview: Canceling GRE scores
What this covers. Score cancellation applies only after you have completed the test. It prevents ETS from reporting the scores from that test administration to graduate programs and from adding them to your score history.
When you can cancel scores
- Computer-delivered at a test center. If you complete a computer-delivered GRE at a test center, you typically see unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores on the test center computer before leaving. ETS provides an option on that screen to either keep or cancel scores for that test. If you choose to cancel, the official scores are not reported.
- At-home test. For at-home tests, the testing interface will offer a similar opportunity to cancel scores after you finish and review the unofficial scores.
- Timing. The cancellation decision must be made immediately at the testing session using the provided interface. Once you leave the testing environment without canceling, the scores will be processed according to ETS’s usual reporting schedule.
Consequences of canceling scores
- Scores are not reported. A canceled score generally will not be sent to programs and will not appear as an available official score to you in your ETS score history.
- Reporting to programs. If you canceled the score at the test center or via the at-home interface, ETS will not send that test’s scores to any programs, even if you had previously designated recipients for that appointment.
- Permanent action in many cases. Score cancellation is usually final. Confirm ETS’s current rules, because some testing programs do not allow reinstatement of canceled scores.
Practical decision rules: When to cancel an appointment vs cancel scores
Use this quick guide to choose the right action.
- Need to change your test date or cannot attend. Cancel or reschedule the appointment in your ETS account, following deadlines and understanding fees.
- Completed the test but performed poorly. Consider whether to cancel your scores at the testing interface. Remember that if you do not cancel, you can later use ScoreSelect options to send only the dates you prefer to programs, which reduces the need to cancel.
- Unsure about performance. If you are unsure, think twice before canceling your scores. You might score differently on the official scales and ScoreSelect allows you to limit which test dates you send to schools.
ScoreSelect and why it reduces the need for score cancellation
GRE uses a ScoreSelect feature that lets you choose which of your valid test date scores to send to institutions. Because ScoreSelect lets you send only your best dates, many test takers choose to keep their scores rather than cancel them immediately. This gives you flexibility: if a later score is higher, send only that date to programs.
International students and special situations
International test takers often face additional complications such as visa delays, travel issues, and test-center closures. Keep these points in mind:
- Time zone and scheduling. For at-home testing, schedule an appointment that accommodates your local time and ETS’s technical support hours.
- Visa and travel problems. If a visa or travel problem prevents you from attending a test-center appointment, gather documentation and contact ETS support. ETS may offer rescheduling or exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
- Test-center closures. If a test center cancels your appointment, ETS usually provides options to reschedule or receive a refund. Keep all communications from the test center and ETS as proof.
Common misunderstandings and clarifications
“Canceling my scores hides them forever from grad schools.”
When you cancel at the testing interface, ETS does not report those scores to institutions. That means the canceled test administration will not be visible to the programs you apply to through normal ETS reporting. However, always confirm current ETS policy about score records and whether test centers or ETS may retain internal notations.
“I can reinstate canceled scores later.”
Some standardized tests allow reinstatement for a fee and within a limited time. ETS’s policies for score reinstatement may change. Treat score cancellation as likely irreversible unless you confirm reinstatement options with ETS before you cancel.
“If I cancel my appointment, I automatically get a full refund.”
Refund policy depends on timing and region. Early cancellations sometimes qualify for partial refunds, while last-minute cancellations and no-shows frequently result in no refund. Check the fee and refund rules shown when you cancel in your ETS account.
Step-by-step checklists
How to cancel or reschedule a GRE appointment
- Sign in to your ETS account and find the upcoming test registration.
- Select cancel or reschedule and view the fee and refund information displayed.
- Confirm the cancellation or choose a new appointment time and complete any required payment for rescheduling.
- Save the confirmation number and email proof of the change.
How to cancel your GRE scores after testing
- At the test center, review the unofficial scores on the screen at the end of the session.
- Choose the cancel option on the testing computer if you do not want those scores reported.
- For at-home testing, follow the on-screen prompts after the test to cancel if you wish.
- Keep any confirmation or reference number the system provides for your records.
What to verify on ETS before you act
Before canceling a registration or canceling scores, verify the following on the ETS GRE website or in your ETS account:
- Current cancellation and rescheduling deadlines and fees for your country or region.
- Whether score cancellation can be reversed or reinstated, and any time window for reinstatement.
- How refunds are calculated and issued and typical processing times.
- Special exception procedures for emergencies, test-center closures, or technical problems during at-home tests.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel my GRE appointment at any time?
You can cancel an appointment through your ETS account, but whether you receive a refund depends on the cancellation timing and local policy. Late cancellations and no-shows often result in forfeiting the fee. Always check the cancellation details shown when you cancel.
If I cancel my scores, will ETS still keep a record that I took the test?
ETS processes administrative records, but canceled scores are not reported to score recipients as official test results. The visible score history you and institutions see will typically not include canceled scores. Check ETS for details about internal records.
If I cancel my appointment, can I get my money back or credit toward another test?
Sometimes you can receive a partial refund or credit depending on when you cancel. Other times you may have to pay a rescheduling fee or forfeit the fee altogether. The specifics are shown when you manage your registration in your ETS account.
Should I cancel a score if I think I did poorly?
Not necessarily. Consider ScoreSelect, which lets you send only chosen test dates to programs. If you believe you might improve on a future date, keeping the score gives you options. If you are confident the score will harm your application and you are sure you will not want that date reported, then canceling may make sense.
Final thoughts
gre cancellation policy covers two separate but important areas: appointment cancellations and score cancellations. Appointment cancellations and rescheduling follow deadlines and fee rules that vary by location and test type. Score cancellation is an immediate on-site decision that prevents ETS from reporting that test administration to programs. Because policies, fees, and procedures change, always confirm the current rules in your ETS GRE account before making cancellation decisions. When in doubt, use ScoreSelect and plan test dates to preserve flexibility.
