How Many Times Can You Take the GRE and When Should You Retake It?
Many Nepal students feel confused after their first GRE attempt: Should I retake the GRE? How many times can I take it? Will multiple attempts hurt my admission? This guide explains the official GRE retake rule, score-reporting strategy, retake decision plan, and practical advice for improving your score before applying to universities abroad.
GRE Retake Quick Facts
Retaking GRE can be useful, but only when you have enough time, clear score gap, and a better preparation plan.
You can take the GRE General Test once every 21 days.
Maximum 5 times within any continuous rolling 12-month period.
You can choose which GRE scores to send to universities.
How Many Times Can You Take the GRE?
According to ETS, you can take the GRE General Test once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period. This is not based on the calendar year from January to December. It is counted as a rolling 365-day period from your test attempt history.
This rule also applies even if you cancel your GRE scores from a previous test. That means a canceled test still counts as one attempt for the retake limit. Therefore, Nepal students should not book the GRE repeatedly without a proper improvement plan.
GRE retake is allowed, but strategy is important
Retaking the GRE can help if your first score is below your university or scholarship target. But a retake without fixing your mistakes often gives similar results. Before retaking, you should know exactly why your score was low: concept gap, timing problem, test anxiety, weak vocabulary, careless mistakes, or poor mock preparation.
Do not retake just because you are disappointed
Many students retake immediately after a disappointing score, but emotional retakes are risky. You should retake only when you have enough time to improve, enough gap before application deadlines, and a clear plan to improve your weak sections.
GRE Retake Policy at a Glance
Use this table to understand the GRE retake rule clearly before planning your next attempt.
| GRE Retake Point | Official / Practical Meaning | What Nepal Students Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Gap | You can take the GRE General Test once every 21 days. | Use the gap for focused review, not random practice. |
| Maximum Attempts | You can take it up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period. | Plan carefully because repeated attempts cost time, money and energy. |
| Canceled Scores | A canceled score still counts toward the retake limit. | Do not cancel scores casually without understanding the consequence. |
| Official Score Timeline | Official scores are usually available in your ETS account 8–10 days after the test. | Keep enough time before university deadlines. |
| ScoreSelect | You can send Most Recent, All, or Any specific test administration scores. | Send the score that best supports your application strategy. |
| Application Deadline | Universities may need time to receive and process official scores. | Do not schedule your final attempt too close to the deadline. |
When Should You Retake the GRE?
Retaking the GRE is a good idea only when the retake can realistically improve your application. Here are the most practical situations where a GRE retake may make sense.
Your score is below the target program level
If your GRE score is clearly lower than the usual expectation of your target universities, a retake may improve your admission chances.
Your Quant score is weak for STEM programs
For engineering, computer science, data science, analytics, economics and finance, a stronger Quant score can be important.
Your Verbal or Writing score is weak for reading-heavy programs
Public policy, education, psychology, social science and research programs may value verbal reasoning and writing ability.
You made clear test-day mistakes
If illness, anxiety, poor timing, technical issues, or careless mistakes affected your score, a planned retake may help.
Your mock scores were higher than real score
If your recent mock scores were consistently better than your real GRE result, your performance may improve with better test-day strategy.
You have enough time before deadlines
A retake is useful only if you have enough time to prepare, receive scores, and send them before university deadlines.
When You Should Not Retake the GRE
Sometimes a GRE retake is not the best use of time. You may need to focus on SOP, recommendation letters, university shortlisting, English proficiency, research, projects, or documentation instead.
| Situation | Why Retake May Not Help | Better Action |
|---|---|---|
| GRE is optional and your score is already decent | A small score improvement may not change admission outcome much. | Improve SOP, university list, recommendation letters and profile presentation. |
| Deadline is very close | Official scores may not reach or process in time. | Apply with current score if acceptable, or choose universities with later deadlines. |
| No preparation change after first attempt | Same preparation usually gives similar results. | Analyze mistakes and study for several focused weeks before retaking. |
| Program does not consider GRE | Retaking GRE will not help if the program does not use GRE scores. | Focus on GPA, English test, SOP, recommendations and documents. |
| Financial pressure is high | Multiple attempts can be expensive for Nepal students. | Retake only when mock tests show realistic improvement. |
GRE Retake Strategy for Better Score Improvement
Use the 21-day or longer gap wisely. A retake should be a planned improvement cycle, not a random second attempt.
Analyze your official score and section performance
Check whether your main issue is Quant, Verbal, Writing, timing, accuracy, or test-day pressure. Do not prepare everything equally if only one section needs major improvement.
Compare your score with target universities
A retake is useful only if your new score can make your university list stronger. Compare your score with target program competitiveness and scholarship goals.
Make a mistake notebook
Write every error type: concept gap, vocabulary gap, calculation error, misreading, careless mistake, timing issue, or wrong answer-elimination strategy.
Revise weak concepts before taking new mocks
Do not take mock tests again and again without fixing your weak areas. Concept correction should come before retest practice.
Practice timed sets
Timed sets help improve speed and decision-making. Practice Quant and Verbal in small timed blocks before full-length mocks.
Take at least two realistic mock tests
Before booking a retake, your mock scores should show improvement close to your target. Do not depend only on hope.
Book the retake with deadline buffer
Remember that official scores usually take 8–10 days. Also keep time for university score processing and application submission.
Will Universities See All Your GRE Attempts?
GRE ScoreSelect gives students control over which scores to send. Depending on the option available and the university policy, you may send your most recent score, all scores, or any specific test administration score. This makes retaking less stressful, but students should still read the score-reporting instructions of each university carefully.
ScoreSelect can protect your application strategy
If you take the GRE more than once, you may be able to send only the score that best represents your ability. This can help students who improve significantly in the second or third attempt.
Still, do not misuse retakes
Even with ScoreSelect, multiple attempts require time, exam fees, preparation energy and deadline planning. A smart student retakes only when there is a clear reason and a clear score-improvement plan.
Sample GRE Retake Timeline for Nepal Students
The best retake timeline depends on your deadline and score gap. Here is a practical model.
| Time Period | What to Do | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1–2 After Score | Do not panic. Review score, compare with target, and check deadlines. | Decide whether retake is necessary. |
| Week 1 | Analyze Quant, Verbal and Writing weaknesses; prepare a mistake notebook. | Find the real reason for score gap. |
| Week 2 | Revise weak concepts and practice topic-wise questions. | Fix foundation and repeated errors. |
| Week 3 | Practice timed sets and take realistic mock tests. | Check if improvement is visible under time pressure. |
| Before Booking | Confirm mock scores, university deadlines and score-reporting timeline. | Book only when a retake is likely to help. |
What Should You Improve Before Retaking GRE?
Quant Accuracy
If your Quant score is low, review arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data interpretation, word problems, number properties and quantitative comparison.
Verbal Reasoning
If Verbal is weak, improve vocabulary in context, reading comprehension, sentence logic and answer elimination.
Analytical Writing
If Writing is weak, practice essay planning, thesis clarity, paragraph structure, examples and quick revision.
Timing
If you knew the concepts but could not finish, you need timed sets, skipping strategy and quicker decision-making.
Careless Mistakes
If errors came from misreading or calculation slips, slow down at key moments and use a checking routine.
Test-Day Confidence
If anxiety affected your performance, take realistic mocks, simulate test conditions and prepare a clear pacing plan.
Plan Your GRE Retake with MKS Education
MKS Education helps Nepal students prepare for the GRE, analyze score gaps, plan retakes, review mock tests and improve section-wise performance. Our preparation system includes online, physical and hybrid classes, class recordings, LMS portal, mock tests, practice materials, instructor support and guidance until target-score improvement.
GRE Retake Mistakes Students Should Avoid
Retaking without analysis
If you do not know why your score was low, you may repeat the same mistakes in the next attempt.
Booking too close to deadline
Official scores take time. Universities may also need time to process them after ETS sends reports.
Ignoring the 21-day rule
You cannot retake immediately the next day. Plan your test date according to the official waiting period.
Taking too many attempts
Repeated attempts without improvement can waste money and time. Focus on quality preparation.
Depending only on luck
GRE questions may vary, but score improvement usually comes from preparation, not luck.
Not checking university GRE policy
If your program does not require or consider GRE, retaking may not improve your application.
Frequently Asked Questions About GRE Retakes
How many times can I take the GRE?
Can I retake the GRE after 21 days?
Does a canceled GRE score count as an attempt?
When should I retake the GRE?
Should I retake GRE if it is optional?
Will universities see all my GRE scores?
How long does it take to get official GRE scores?
Can MKS Education help me prepare for a GRE retake?
Where is MKS Education located?
Retake GRE Only with a Better Plan
A GRE retake can improve your admission profile when it is planned properly. Prepare with MKS Education through structured classes, LMS practice, class recordings, mock-test review, instructor support and score-improvement guidance.