When's the last time to register for GRE ?

[ahmadka]

Hi guys ... I still haven't taken the GRE, but I am currently prepping for it. I just want to know when is the latest when I can take the GRE, given that the scores need to reach the universities by 15th December (program deadline) ?

 

I'm currently thinking of giving it on 11th/12th November, but I'm trying to judge if I can push it further into the future ..

Edited October 25, 2014 by ahmadka

[peachypie]

You could maybe push it into end of November or latest I'd say December 1st as a final.  Some schools know it takes a bit of time for the GRE scores to filter in during deadline times so they aren't super hard and fast.  But if I were you I'd try to get it done before the Thanksgiving holiday.

[perpetuavix]

How many schools are you planning to apply to? The GRE website says it takes 10-15 days to return your scores and send them to institutions, but you can only send four on test day. So those four schools will ideally get your score reports in about three weeks, but again, that's in an ideal situation (do you trust the ETS that much?). If you know you need to send more than four reports, the sooner you take the test, the better. You need 10-15 days for the GRE to send you your scores, then request ETS to send the additional score reports. There's nothing specific about how long that might take, but I can't imagine ETS has especially quick turn around. 

If all of your deadlines are 12/15, you might consider taking the test by the first week in November. That gives you roughly 6 weeks to get your scores, send additional reports, and check with the schools to make sure they received them. Some schools might be okay if your scores arrive a few days after the deadline, but I would want to make sure I did everything I could to get the scores there in time.

That said, you probably need to register immediately. It might depend where you live, but my husband had a choice of 2 dates in October when he made reservations the last week of September. Testing centers can and do fill up. 

[ahmadka]

Well, I actually wanted to apply to about 10 schools, and most have 15th December as their final deadline.

 

Do I have to wait for ETS to first send me the scores before I can request them to be sent to other universities as well ? I mean, I don't see the think between the two.

 

I guess I'll contact ETS and ask them after how much time since taking the test can I request additional universities to be mailed the results.

 

Would like some more opinions if possible.