GRE 2026 New Format Guide for Indian Students: Shorter Test, New At-Home Rules and How to Prepare
The GRE Has Changed — Do You Know the New Format?
When students come to me saying they have been reading old GRE preparation books or watching outdated YouTube videos, I always stop them immediately. The GRE they are studying for may not be the GRE they are going to sit.
ETS (the company that makes the GRE) made sweeping changes to the test starting in late 2023, and by 2026, many Indian students are still catching up to what the new format actually looks like. Whether you are planning to take the GRE for a Master’s in the USA, Canada, Europe, or anywhere else, this guide will give you the complete, up-to-date picture.
The New GRE Format: From Nearly 4 Hours to Under 2 Hours
This is the single biggest change, and it is genuinely good news for students.
The old GRE used to take close to 4 hours. ETS cut it down dramatically. The new GRE General Test takes approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes — under 2 hours.
Here is the structure of the GRE in 2026:
Section 1: Analytical Writing (Issue Essay) One 30-minute essay where you take a position on a given issue and argue for it.
Section 2 and 3: Verbal Reasoning Two sections, each with 12 to 15 questions. Total: 27 Verbal questions across both sections.
Section 4 and 5: Quantitative Reasoning Two sections, each with 12 to 15 questions. Total: 27 Quant questions across both sections.
That is it. No experimental section. No unscored section. Every question you answer counts toward your final score.
The Analyse an Argument essay — which used to be the second writing task — has been removed entirely. You only write one essay now.
What Scores Are You Aiming For?
The GRE scoring scale remains the same:
- Verbal Reasoning: 130 to 170 (in 1-point increments)
- Quantitative Reasoning: 130 to 170 (in 1-point increments)
- Analytical Writing: 0 to 6 (in half-point increments)
Here is what competitive scores look like for Indian students applying to top programs in 2026:
For MS in Computer Science, Data Science, or Engineering in the USA: aim for 160+ in Quant (163 to 167 is competitive at mid-tier programs, 168+ for top schools like MIT, Stanford, CMU).
For MBA programs that accept GRE: 155+ in both Verbal and Quant is a reasonable baseline for decent programs. Top programs prefer 160+ in both.
For social sciences, arts, and humanities masters programs: Verbal matters more. Aim for 155 to 160+ in Verbal, with a 4.5+ in Writing.
Do check the specific score requirements published by each university you are applying to. Do not go purely by averages — some departments at the same university set very different thresholds.
The New At-Home GRE Rule: Secondary Camera is Now Mandatory
This is a 2026 update that many students do not know about, and it matters a great deal if you are planning to take the test at home.
Starting January 5, 2026, ETS made a secondary camera mandatory for the at-home GRE. This means you must set up two cameras — your main laptop or desktop camera facing you, and a second camera (usually a smartphone or webcam) showing your desk and surroundings from a different angle.
This change was introduced to reduce cheating and ensure test integrity. ETS had been catching cases where students were consulting notes or getting help off-screen without the single-camera setup detecting it.
Here is what you need for a valid at-home GRE setup in 2026:
- Your computer with a functioning front-facing camera
- A smartphone (iPhone or Android) set up as the secondary camera, with the ETS ProProctor or OnVUE app installed
- A quiet, private room with no other people
- A clear desk with nothing on it — no books, no phone in front of you (your secondary camera phone must be placed behind and to the side, not in front)
- Reliable internet connection — at least 1 Mbps upload and 1 Mbps download
If your secondary camera setup is not working when your session starts, the proctors can refuse to let you begin. This has already happened to students who did not test their setup in advance.
My strong recommendation: do a full trial run of both cameras at least 2 to 3 days before your actual test date.
GRE Fees in India for 2026
Here are the current costs as of May 2026:
- GRE General Test fee: INR 22,000 (approximately USD 265)
- GRE Subject Test fee: INR 14,500
You can take the test at a Prometric test centre in India — cities include Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Pune, and others — or at home using the at-home option.
If you need to reschedule, ETS charges a fee if you change within a certain window. Always check the ETS website for the latest reschedule and cancellation policy before booking.
How to Prepare for the GRE in 2026
Here is my honest advice on preparation, based on what works for Indian students specifically.
For Quant: Indian students typically find Quant easier than their American counterparts because our school curriculum is strong in mathematics. That said, do not assume you will score 165+ without practice. The GRE Quant tests concepts up to Class 10 level, but the questions are tricky in how they are worded. Practice the Official GRE Guide questions, and focus on Data Analysis — many students miss easy marks here.
For Verbal: This is where Indian students typically struggle. The vocabulary in GRE Verbal is demanding, and the reading comprehension passages require close attention. Use the official ETS materials — Manhattan Prep and Magoosh have strong Verbal programs too.
For Analytical Writing: With only one essay now, you have more time to perfect it. Practise writing issue essays on a timer. Learn to take a clear position in your introduction, support it with two or three specific examples, and address counterarguments briefly. Do not write vague philosophical essays — concrete examples score better.
Study Timeline:
- If you are starting from scratch: 3 months of consistent preparation (2 hours daily) is a good target
- If you have a strong academic background: 6 to 8 weeks of focused preparation can be sufficient for Quant; Verbal needs more time regardless of background
Take at least 3 to 4 full-length practice tests under timed conditions before your actual test date.
When Should You Take the GRE?
GRE is offered year-round in India, both at test centres and at home. Most Indian students applying for the Fall 2027 intake in the USA or Canada should aim to take the GRE by August or September 2026, to leave time for retakes if needed.
Most universities require GRE scores to be submitted directly by ETS. ETS sends your scores to up to 4 universities for free at the time of testing. Additional score reports cost approximately INR 2,000 per university. Plan ahead so you are not spending extra money last minute.
Do All Universities Require the GRE in 2026?
This is an important question. During COVID, many universities made GRE optional, and several have kept that policy. However, in 2026, many top universities have reinstated GRE requirements, particularly for engineering and computer science programs.
Check the admissions page of each university you are targeting. Some universities say “GRE recommended” — which means submitting a strong score will still help your application even if it is not strictly required.
My advice: if you have the time and resources to take the GRE and score well, do it. A strong GRE score can strengthen an application that has a lower GPA, and it shows demonstrated academic ability in a standardised, internationally recognised format.
Final Thought
The new GRE is shorter, fairer, and more straightforward than the old version. There is no reason to dread it. But you do need to prepare specifically for the current 2026 format — and if you are taking it at home, sort out your secondary camera setup well in advance.
If you need guidance on whether the GRE is the right test for your specific target universities, or how to build your preparation plan around your timeline, I am happy to help.
Not sure what to do next? Book a free consultation and I will create a personalised plan for you.