GRE can be taken any time during the year. Also, GRE can be
taken during your Bachelor’s degree completion or after you become a degree
holder. But one must plan your higher education considering all the important
factors. This article will help you to decide when to take a GRE test date.
Ideal GRE dates for FALL
applicants
Fall semester applicants should take GRE during the months August to October. Fall Semester in US
begins in the month of August. Most Universities’’ deadlines for Fall semester
admissions are in December. Hence, by October you must have your GRE and TOEFL
scores so that you can start shortlisting Universities and start applications. Following
example will help you plan your preparation for higher education in US based on
your admission enrolment decision.
Timeline for FALL 2014 aspirants
September 2013: Take GRE and TOEFL
October 2013: Start applications to US Universities
November 2013: Complete applications and send your packets
before deadlines
March 2014: You will start receiving admission decisions
April 2014: Get the I-20s from all admitted Universities
May 2014: Make a decision and apply for US VISA
August 2014(FALL term): Fly to US
Ideal GRE dates for SPRING
applicants
Spring semester applicants should take GRE during the months May-July. Spring semester in US begins
in the month of January. Most Universities’ deadlines for spring semester
admissions are in August. Hence, by July you must have your GRE and TOEFL
scores so that you can start shortlisting Universities and start applications. Following
example will help you plan your preparation for higher education in US based on
your admission enrolment decision.
Timeline for SPRING 2014 aspirants
June 2013: Take GRE and TOEFL
July 2013: Start applications to US Universities
August 2013: Complete applications and send your packets before
deadlines
October 2013: You will start receiving admission decisions
November 2013: Get the I-20s from all admitted Universities
December 2013: Make a decision and apply for US VISA
January 2014(SPRING term): Fly to US
Ideal GRE dates for working
professionals
If you are a working professional, you must plan your higher
education very carefully. Ideally, you must have 12 to 24 months of work
experience. So, you must first decide FALL or SPRING term based on your date of
resignation. Once you decide on the term, you can plan your applications as per
the schedule mentioned above for FALL and SPRING applicants.
Ideal GRE dates for
Bachelor’s final year students
If you are in the final year of your Bachelor’s degree
education (BE in case of engineering), you can plan your higher education well
in advance. Final year exams are mostly scheduled in the months of May/June. So, taking a GRE date in August/September will give you sufficient time to prepare for GRE after your exams. You must have completed your entire admission process and must be in a position
to apply for US Visa. Hence, as soon as you enter final year, you should start
planning and take relevant exams by October. If you complete your education in
2014, you should follow the above timeline given for FALL 2014 applicants.
Ideal GRE dates for
Bachelor’s pre-final year students
If you are in the pre-final year of your Bachelor’s degree
education (TE in case of engineering), you can plan your higher education well
in advance. Pre-final year exams are mostly scheduled in the months of May/June. So, taking a GRE date in August/September will give you sufficient time to prepare for GRE after your exams. But, if you are not well prepared, you
can take GRE anytime during your pre-final year based on your convenience. By
the time you advance into final year, you will already have the GRE and TOEFL
scores.
