How many times can I retake the GRE, and how often?
You can retake the GRE once every 21 days, and up to five times within any rolling 12 month or 365 day period. ETS only sends the scores you personally choose to your target institutions, giving you control over which attempt universities actually see.
If your first GRE attempt did not hit your target score, you have room to try again. ETS allows a retake once every 21 days, capped at five attempts within any rolling 12 month period.
GRE Retake Rules At A Glance
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum gap between attempts | 21 days |
| Maximum attempts | Five within any 12 month or 365 day period |
| Score reporting | Only the scores you select are sent to institutions |
Why Score Selection Matters
Because ETS lets you choose which attempt to send, a lower score from an early try does not have to follow you. Use this to your advantage by treating your first attempt as a genuine diagnostic rather than something you must hide, then send only your strongest sitting once you are satisfied.
My Advice
Book your retake only after you have honestly reviewed why your last score fell short, not just because the 21 day window has opened. A retake without a fixed weak area usually reproduces the same result.
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