What is GRE?
Topic | Details |
Full Form | GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination. |
Conducting Body | Conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), USA. |
Type of Exam | Standardized, computer-based, multiple-choice exam. |
Purpose | Accepted for admission into MBA, MS, Law, and other graduate programs. |
Accepted By | More than 1,300 business schools globally, including: – Harvard– Wharton– University of Chicago– Other Top 50 B-schools. |
Ranking Authorities | Schools accepting GRE are ranked by: – Bloomberg BusinessWeek- Financial Times- U.S. News & World Report. |
Test Takers from India | More than 75,000 annually. |
Difficulty Level | GRE is considered not a difficult exam. |
Score Validity | GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the test date. |
The GRE has 3 sections: the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section, the Quantitative Reasoning, and the Verbal Reasoning. The GRE Exam 2023 can be a good alternative to GMAT, particularly for students who have good English language skills. Also, taking the GRE costs less than the GMAT exam. GRE score validity is for a period of 5 years.
List of the Top Colleges Indian MBA Colleges Accepting GRE Scores
Most of the MBA schools in India use GRE scores for admission of fresh graduates as well as working professionals into their management programs. Applicants with more than 5 years of work experience tend to have more choices when applying to premier management institutes. The following are some of the top Indian B-schools that accept GRE scores for their executive and full-time MBA degrees:
1. ISB Hyderabad & Mohali (PGP Program)
The Indian School of Business considers GRE scores for entry into its flagship one-year Post Graduate Program. The program is well-ranked in India and internationally and appears in elite rankings such as the Financial Times Rankings and the QS Global EMBA Rankings. To apply, candidates must have at least two years of full-time work experience.
Note: ISB accepts only GRE scores from tests that were taken at an exam centre (home-based test scores are not accepted).
2. IIM Ahmedabad (PGPX)
The PGPX is a one-year full-time residential MBA program for experienced professionals with a minimum of 4 years of full-time work experience. Provided by IIM Ahmedabad, it is consistently ranked among the top programs in the world, particularly for career development, as seen in the Financial Times rankings.
3. IIM Bangalore (ePGP)
IIM Bangalore provides a one-year full-time Executive PGP (ePGP) for individuals with 5-12 years of work experience. International immersion and alumni mentoring are part of the course. The institute accepts GRE scores from tests taken at authorised centres only.
4. IIM Lucknow (IPMX)
Professionals with at least five years of experience are eligible to enroll in the International Program in Management for Executives (IPMX) an executive MBA program. It is hosted at IIM Lucknow’s Noida campus and is AACSB and AMBA-accredited and encourages industry interaction.
5. IIM Indore (EPGP)
IIM Indore’s one-year Executive PGP is for professionals with 5+ years of experience and features a five-week international immersion in a globally ranked B-school. As an example, the 2023 batch went to SDA Bocconi in Italy. GRE is taken into account for admissions to the EPGP program, which is AMBA-accredited.
6. IIM Kozhikode (PGP-BL)
Professionals with at least three years of experience can enroll in the one-year, full-time residential Post Graduate Program in Business Leadership (PGP-BL). The course includes a global immersion and a capstone project.
Note: Only GRE/GMAT scores from test centers are accepted.
7. XLRI Jamshedpur (PGDGM)
Its PGDM-GM program is of 15 months for working executives who have at least 5 years of work experience. It consists of core and electives and is AICTE and AMBA accredited. This program accepts the marks of the GRE test.
8. IIM Raipur (FPM)
IIM Raipur considers GRE scores for its Fellow Program in Management (FPM), which is a PhD equivalent. Specialisations are Economics, Marketing, Strategy, Finance, HR, IT & Systems, and others.
9. IIM Udaipur (Executive MBA & PhD)
IIM Udaipur has an Executive MBA (EMBA) and Fellowship (PhD/FPM) for working professionals. EMBA has a minimum of 3 years of work experience requirement and accepts GRE scores. The programs also provide admission through the GMAT and the IIMU Test scores. PhD programs are available in marketing, accounting, and finance.
10. IIM Visakhapatnam (EMBA)
IIM Visakhapatnam provides a weekend EMBA for 2 years with blended learning, which suits working professionals who are unable to pursue full-time classes. Applicants need to have a minimum of 3 years of work experience and can apply with their GRE, GMAT, CAT, or EMAT scores.
These institutions provide great learning for professionals wishing to reskill, become globally exposed, and move into leadership positions, all the while accepting GRE scores as part of their selection process.
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GRE Test Registration Process: How to Register for GRE 2023 onwards?
Registering for a GRE test is not difficult. The GRE online Registration process and GRE registration fees for different services is shared below:
GRE Registration: Step-by-Step Process
The step-by-step process for GRE Online Registration and filling the GRE application form is explained below.
- Step 1: Log in to the GRE official website ets.org and click on ‘Register for GRE’
- Step 2: Create a GRE Account: Log in to your ETS account or create an account. If you haven’t already created an ETS account, review the ID requirements page. The name you register must match exactly the name as it appears on the ID you plan to use on test day. You are required to submit the Information like your First Name, Last Name, email ID, and password
- Step-3: Find Test Center: On the GRE home page, select Register/Find Test Centers
- Step 4: Click on GRE Gen: Select the GRE General Test and verify your email address, then continue.
- Step 5: Schedule Your GRE Exam Date and Time: To select your test appointment, confirm your time zone, or select a new one. Choose the two-month window you want to search and then select your preferred date from the calendar. Select an available time/date to test and click “Register for this test.”
- Step 6: Make payment of GRE fees: Complete your registration and pay your GRE test fees as given below.
- Step-7: Confirmation on Mail: You will receive confirmation on email from ETS on completion of GRE registration
11. SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai (GMP)
SPJIMR Mumbai provides admission to its Global Management program (GMP) based on GRE scores in addition to GMAT, CAT, NMAT, and XAT. The program accepts fresh graduates as well as experienced professionals. It has two cycles of execution every year, one beginning in January and the other in June, providing flexibility to candidates based on their timelines.
12. BITS School of Management (BITSOM), Mumbai (MBA)
BITSOM’s two-year full-time residential MBA program is open to applicants with a valid GRE score. BITSOM also takes CAT and GMAT scores. The program is suitable for both freshers and working professionals, with approximately 10–12% of students joining immediately after graduation. Students who graduate from BITS Pilani, a prestigious institution, are given an MBA degree.
13. IIM Amritsar (Executive MBA)
IIM Amritsar takes GRE scores for admission to its executive program in management. Candidates need to have a bachelor’s degree with a good academic background and a minimum of three years of full-time work experience as of May 31, 2025, in a managerial, entrepreneurial, or professional role. IIM Amritsar also considers CAT, GMAT, GATE, and its own entrance exam, IAAT, for admission to the executive MBA program.
14. IIM Calcutta
IIM Calcutta also accepts GRE scores to gain entry into its full-time Doctoral (PhD) Program in several specialisations. Students with a strong academic record and with a valid GRE score (test center-based and not more than two years old as of the deadline date) can apply for fields like Finance, Marketing, Operations, MIS, Public Policy and others. Applicants should also fulfill the educational qualification requirements which are a first-class postgraduate degree or professional qualifications such as CA/CS/CMA, with the specified marks.
Note: IIM Sirmaur accepts GRE scores for admission of foreign nationals into its MBA program.
GRE Vs GMAT: Key Features, Similarities & Differences
GRE and GMAT both have many similarities and differences as below:
Parameter | GRE | GMAT |
Purpose | General Admissions Test for MBA, Law, | Business school admissions test |
Exam Structure | Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing | Analytical Writing, Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning |
Verbal Reasoning | Assesses reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence skills | Evaluates reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and sentence correction skills |
Quantitative Reasoning | Focuses on problem-solving and data interpretation using basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis skills | Tests problem-solving and data sufficiency skills, often in a business-oriented context |
Analytical Writing | Requires writing an essay expressing and supporting perspectives on given topics | Includes one essay task analysing an argument |
Integrated Reasoning | Not included in the exam | Assesses the ability to analyse and interpret data presented in various formats |
Score Validity | Valid for five years | Valid for five years |
GRE Eligibility Criteria 2026 Onwards
So, what are the GRE Eligibility criteria for 2023 onwards? In fact, anybody can take the GRE General Test. There is no specific eligibility requirement like age, academic qualification. Global and Indian applicants should match their eligibility criteria with the respective institutes, universities, programmes, and courses.
While GRE scores are accepted by many top MBA colleges abroad for students from India, very few MBA colleges in India accept GRE scores for MBA admission from Indian domicile students. Top MBA colleges in the world and in India accepting GRE scores for different types of Indian students are as shared below:
Indian Students, NRIs, Foreign Nationals can Apply
The following categories of students can apply for admission abroad with a GRE score:
- Students from India, as well as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs)
- Indians with Foreign Citizenship
- Respective Country’s Own Citizens
- Foreign Nationals
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