When is the right time to take the GRE?

As a student who is looking to pursue their Masters/PhD, a question that one often encounters is: When do I take the GRE? The GRE can be taken at any point throughout the year, depending on the availability of the slots in a particular centre. There is no clear-cut answer to the question of when to write the GRE, but Jamboree would like to give you a few pointers to help make your decision.

Asking the following questions will give you a deeper insight into your preparation for the GRE exam and how it fits into your plans. Go step by step, and make sure you consider all factors before making a decision. 

1. How prepared are you?

   As a test-taker, you need to gauge your level of preparedness and make sure you are giving your best shot at the GRE.You can take diagnostic/sample tests and practice questions which will help you evaluate whether you are exam-ready. After all, there is no point in writing an exam when you are not adequately prepared. 

   The GRE tests your critical thinking, quantitative reasoning and language skills. Thus, based on your strengths, you will need to work to improve your math, vocabulary and/or writing abilities. Often, students find the GRE vocabulary difficult, and spend too much time on learning new words. At Jamboree, however, we believe in working smart: Our GRE prep method focuses on building your strengths and helping you with strategies to crack the GRE questions in a less time-consuming manner.

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2. When do you plan on pursuing your masters?

   Most Indian students think about taking the GRE during the final year of their undergraduate studies. Remember that GRE exam scores are valid for a period of 5 years. This means that if you do well, you can even gather 2-3 years of work experience and apply to the University of your choice.
   At Jamboree, we understand that students come from different backgrounds and therefore have different aspirations. While some students prefer to do their masters immediately after their undergraduate course, others like to wait and gain some work experience before delving into the more complex world of Masters’ degrees. Neither approach is better than the other, but students should factor in their plans towards prepping for the GRE:

   • Students who prefer the option of studying immediately after their undergrad like to continue their education primarily because they believe in momentum--- they do not want to have a stop-start in their education.

   • Students who take the route of experience first like to muster more practical and on-ground knowledge before they go for their master's program. 

   Either way, the GRE scores are valid for a period of 5 years, therefore, the timing of your master's program and when you take the exam is absolutely critical.

3. When are the application deadlines?

   Application deadlines are listed on every university website; students need to research the college-specific application requirements and deadlines well in advance. Most universities have their application deadlines set in December or in January but do remember that this might vary from institution to institution. 

   There are different components to a complete application, which include the Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation, transcripts etc., along with your GRE score. The process of creating a completely rounded application takes time and requires intensive and rigorous preparation.

   Let us assume that you are looking to secure admissions into a university in the fall of 2025. Your application deadlines would be somewhere between December 2024 and January 2025. This means that you should plan on completing your GRE latest by November 2024. You also need to bear in mind that if you do not score well in your first attempt, you would need to retake the examination and the GRE can be taken only once every 21 days.

   In order to give yourself enough time to prepare, take a diagnostic test and understand where you stand. This will give you enough time to plan ‘backwards’, and schedule your test with enough time for your applications.

4. How much time do I have to prepare for the GRE?

   There are different kinds of test takers who attempt the GRE. A few of them are college students, while others just take the test to add to their professional qualifications.

   Here, we focus on only those students who take the GRE as a part of their university application process. Now, for those who are either working professionals or parents, you will need to plan your preparation schedule around your work and other personal commitments, which might be a really demanding task. If you are a college-going student, you might have more time to attend GRE classes and integrate test prep into your schedule. Either way, ensure that you plan well in advance. Prudence is well advised:  Lots of applicants miss deadlines due to an unplanned schedule. As we have already mentioned, planning backwards is the key to your success story. 

The decision of when to take the GRE is completely dependent on the student. A student must be aware of factors that are personal, subjective, and those parameters which cannot be ignored; the requirements set by the university. A combination of subjective and objective factors should be key determinants for you to plan your journey.