{"id":14590,"date":"2023-08-22T14:30:15","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T14:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.kaptest.com\/blog\/prep\/?p=14590"},"modified":"2023-08-22T19:39:32","modified_gmt":"2023-08-22T19:39:32","slug":"when-is-the-right-time-to-take-the-gre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpapp.kaptest.com\/study\/gre\/when-is-the-right-time-to-take-the-gre\/","title":{"rendered":"When to Take the GRE: Test Dates, Deadlines, & More"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are preparing to take the GRE<\/span><\/a>, then one thing you might be wrestling with is when to take the test. Students often wonder if there is either an optimal year of school or time of year to take the test. While there is no one answer that will perfectly fit each person\u2019s specific situation, keep the following in mind as you make your decision.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Do You Plan on Attending Graduate School?<\/h2>
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Some people suggest that the optimal time to take the GRE is during your first year of college. The argument goes something like this:\u00a0since the GRE is so similar to the SAT, and because you\u2019ve recently taken the SAT, it\u2019s better to just take the GRE while those basic math and vocabulary skills are still sharp in your mind<\/i>. While there is some validity to this argument, it fails to consider a pretty relevant factor: are you completely sure you want to go to graduate school when you are just in your first year of college? <\/span><\/p>\n

Because GRE scores only last five years, taking the test during your first year puts you in a position where you must go to graduate school no later than one year after you\u2019ve graduated (assuming you graduated in four years). Otherwise, you\u2019ll just have to retake the GRE<\/span><\/a> again.<\/span><\/p>\n

A better approach would be to wait until you have a couple of years of college under your belt. Make the decision to take the GRE once you are confident that graduate school is your next career move. If you plan on attending graduate school either immediately or nearly immediately after graduating from college, then\u00a0taking the test during your Junior year is ideal.<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to get a few years of professional experience under your belt before heading to graduate school, then taking the test during your Senior year might make more sense: you\u2019ll still have five years to make the decision to return to school before you have to take the GRE again.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\u00a0<\/strong>RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>How to study for the GRE in 3 months<\/a>\u00a0]<\/strong><\/p>\n

Test Dates: When Should You Take the GRE?<\/h2>
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Because the GRE is offered year-round<\/span><\/a>, there is no need to sign up for a test date months in advance. In determining the right time to take the GRE, check your academic schedule \u2014 you don\u2019t want to take the test during your busiest semester, as both your test results and your GPA will suffer. <\/span><\/p>\n

Instead, try to find a way to lighten the load for a semester and use the extra hours to prepare for the GRE. <\/span><\/p>\n

Alternatively, if you have a light summer, use those months to prepare for and take the test then.<\/span><\/p>\n