Sign up

Heading Out Already?

close

Our Ivy League mentors and top admission experts can help with personalized tips to get you into your dream school

Speak with our Experts

25 July 2025

6 minutes read

GRE Results Time: How Long Does it Take to Get GRE General Test Scores for Indian Students (6 Best Tips)? 

Dirghayu Kaushik
avatar

Dirghayu Kaushik

linkedin

Founder & CEO

Dirghayu Kaushik is the co-founder and CEO of Ambitio. He started this platform because he’s been in your shoes—navigating confusing websites, second-guessing college choices, and trying to make sense of what actually matters in an application. A graduate of IIT BHU, Dirghayu combines personal experience with data-backed guidance to help students apply smarter. Whether it’s choosing the right course, building a standout profile, or writing essays that don’t feel forced, his mission is simple: to make getting into your dream university less overwhelming, and a little more honest.

17 September 2024

6 minutes read

GRE

Key Takeaways

  • GRE results time for unofficial scores is immediate, while official scores are released in about 8–10 days.
  • GRE results time may vary slightly based on test format—online GRE scores typically arrive faster.
  • GRE results time impacts application timelines, so plan your GRE test date with deadlines in mind.

Did you realize that GRE test scores are typically available in 10 days – 15 days after the test date? For most test takers, this timeline can feel like forever, especially when application deadlines are approaching.

Most always leads to the question – when are my GRE results available exactly, and how do I plan for it? Test day is stressful enough but the uncertainty of how and when you will receive your GRE score report only adds to test day stress.

For many test takers it becomes a painstaking experience of refreshing their ETS accounts hoping to see their verbal reasoning, quantitative, and analytical writing scores while balancing a clock ticking on application timelines.

Fortunately, knowing when and how those scores may bestow themselves upon you can ultimately help ease some stress without adding to the unknown and safe your sanity as you continue to plan your next steps with confidence.

What is the GRE Exam?

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardized test that many graduate schools and business programs use as part of their admissions process. The GRE exam is divided into two main types: the GRE General Test and the GRE Subject Test.

gre results time 1

While the subject test focuses on specific fields of study, the general test evaluates your verbal, quantitative, and GRE analytical writing skills. After completing the exam, you’ll receive unofficial scores for the verbal and quantitative sections at the test center.

These unofficial GRE scores give you an idea of your performance before the official scores are available.

What Is a Good GRE Score? Why is it Important to Send GRE Scores to Universities?

Regarding determining what constitutes a good GRE score, it’s relative to the graduate program or institution. Different programs or schools may also care more (or less) about different parts of the GRE depending on their qualifications.

If all this seems overwhelming, just keep in mind the general score ranges below, and you begin to gain a feel for the scoring.

Where to Send Scores and Receive GRE Scores?

Generally, a competitive GRE scores are valid and meets or exceeds the average scores of your targeted programs. For the GRE General, your verbal and quantitative scores each fall between 130-170, while the analytical-writing section is scored from 0-6.

Graduate schools often look at how well your official scores align with their standards, and they’ll receive an email notifying them of your submitted scores after test administration.

SectionScore RangeIdeal Score
Verbal Reasoning130-170155+
Quantitative Reasoning130-170160+
Analytical Writing0-64.5+

GRE Results Time: How Long Does it Take to Get Your GRE General Test Scores and Score Report?

You should expect your GRE General Test scores report approximately 10 to 15 days after your test date. If you apply for GRE exam today, you can sit for the exam tomorrow. Whenever your official scores are ready, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) will send you an e-mail to inform you that your scores are available online via their web site.

Also, you will be able to send your scores to up to four recipients at no cost to you. Unofficial scores for the verbal and quantitative sections are given to you each at the conclusion of each section at the testing facility; official scores will be obtained later.

6 Tips on the GRE Exams to Send Only Your Best Scores to Universities

Typical errors include underestimating the verbal section, being too focused on practice tests without actually reviewing your mistakes, and time management. Many test takers also show overconfidence in their quantitative scores because they think they are “great” at basic math or not fully understanding the GRE AWA expectations.

Lastly, people seem to struggle with the analytical-writing portion if they do not understand the expectations of essay writing. That’s okay, but it is critical to identify your short comings and strategize in some areas that could be developed to enhance your testing-score.

1. Understand the Test Format

Before taking the exam, make sure you know exactly what to expect. The GRE General Test has verbal and quantitative sections, along with an analytical-writing part. Understanding the types of questions you’ll answer and how much time you have for each section will help you stay focused.

You’ll get unofficial scores for verbal and quantitative sections at the test center, while your official score will be available within 10-15 days after the exam on the ETS website.

2. Focus on Your Weak Areas

Once you have completed the exam or practice exams, you need to carefully review the GRE questions you missed. If you had a better performance in the quantitative section than in the verbal reasoning section, it may also make sense to spend additional time working on the quantitative.

This way, when your scores after test-day are released, you can have a higher degree of confidence regarding how well you performed within the score range.

3. Improve Time Management

Time management is crucial to success on the GRE! It is easy to lose track of time while taking the exam. Try practicing this within the time limits given on each section- especially for the verbal and quantitative sections- so you aren’t rushing through any part of the test.

Practicing pacing allows you to be less frantic while you are actually completing the exam.

gre results time 2

4. Use High-Quality Prep Materials

To prepare GRE effectively, use trusted materials from reputable sources – in the case of the GRE, ETS. The GRE Diagnostic Service and official practice tests can help you understand through feedback where you’re weak. When it’s time to send actual score reports, you’ll be glad you prepared.

You will get four free score reports, and you can send those reports to whichever institutions you want, after your scores are available in about a week and a half – 10 – 15 days.

5. Practice Writing Essays

The analytical writing section is often undervalued but carries the same weight as the verbal and quantitative reasoning sections. It will be useful practice to do some timed essay writing with practice prompts.

If you practice, your writing will be clearer and your essay structure will improve, which will be helpful during the exam. Making sure your essays are scored well by the raters will positively contribute to your overall score card.

6. Review, Don’t Just Practice

After every practice exam, do not just record your total score. Make sure you look through the questions you missed and the reason. This is an important step in helping you improve for test day, and to send off the scores you feel best exemplify your represent your personal best.

By the time your official scores get to your institutions of choice, you have the ability to send your scores at that time, along with the free score reports that you have received after the test.

Conclusion

You have already come this far, so take a deep breath – remember, it’s not just with the scores, but how you report them that counts.

The quantitative reasoning section is just one component of your application, but how well you appreciate your own strengths and weaknesses is what will define you, and make you unique.

Bottom line? Stay focused, practice appropriately, and report the scores that reflect your best; the road to graduate school can seem narrow and winding, but you can successfully navigate it in style with Ambitio. Good luck – and remember, the GRE score is only an early stop for your future, not your final destination!

Master the GRE and pave your way to academic success with Ambitio. Our expertly crafted resources and targeted preparation approach are designed to build your confidence and proficiency, helping you secure a top percentile score that opens doors to prestigious graduate programs.

FAQs

What is the GRE results time for unofficial and official scores?

The GRE results time for unofficial scores is immediate after the test, while the GRE results time for official scores is usually 8–10 days.

Does the GRE results time differ between at-home and test center exams?

Yes, the GRE results time for at-home tests may be slightly faster, but generally, the GRE results time remains consistent across formats.

How does the GRE results time affect application deadlines?

The GRE results time is crucial to ensure your scores arrive before university deadlines, as any delay in GRE results time could impact your MBA or MS application.

Can you check your GRE results time online through ETS?

Yes, ETS provides updates on your GRE results time through your official account, making it easy to track your GRE results time status.

What should you do if your GRE results time exceeds 10 days?

If your GRE results time exceeds the standard 10 days, contact ETS immediately, as extended GRE results time might signal an issue with your test.

Is the GRE results time the same for all sections of the GRE?

No, while the unofficial GRE results time for Quant and Verbal is immediate, the AWA section has a longer GRE results time due to manual scoring.

Why is it important to plan ahead based on GRE results time?

Understanding the GRE results time helps you plan test dates wisely, ensuring that your GRE results time aligns with your graduate school application timeline.

top universities

You can study at top universities worldwide!

Get expert tips and tricks to get into top universities with a free expert session.

Book Your Free 30-Minute Session Now! Book a call now
Scroll to Top