The GRE exam is primarily computer-based, with limited paper-based administration available only in regions where computer testing is not accessible. For the vast majority of test-takers worldwide, the GRE is delivered as a computer-based test.
GRE Exam Paper-Based or Computer-Based: The Two Formats
- Computer-Based GRE:
This is the standard format offered in most countries, including the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia. It is administered year-round at authorized testing centers. The GRE exam paper-based or computer-based distinction matters because only the computer-based version is adaptive and includes features like on-screen calculator access, answer review within sections, and immediate unofficial score reporting for Verbal and Quantitative sections. - Paper-Based GRE:
This version is offered only three times per year in areas without reliable computer infrastructure (e.g., some parts of Africa, the Middle East, and remote regions). It is not adaptive, does not provide immediate scores, and has a fixed set of questions for all test-takers on a given date. The Analytical Writing section is still handwritten.
Key Differences
| Feature | Computer-Based GRE | Paper-Based GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Year-round, worldwide | Only 3 times/year, limited locations |
| Adaptive? | Yes (section-level) | No |
| Calculator | On-screen provided | None (manual calculations) |
| Score Reporting | Unofficial scores immediately | Scores mailed after 10 weeks |
| Question Review | Yes, within each section | No |
GRE Subject Tests Are Paper-Based
Note: The GRE Subject Tests are always administered on paper, regardless of location. These are separate from the General Test and focus on specific disciplines like Physics or Psychology.
Which Should You Take?
Unless you live in a region with no computer testing centers, you will take the computer-based GRE. It is the preferred, more efficient, and widely accepted format. ETS strongly encourages test-takers to choose the computer-based option when available.
In summary, the GRE exam paper-based or computer-based depends on location—but for nearly all applicants, it is computer-based. The computer-based format is modern, adaptive, and efficient. Unless restricted by geography, you should plan to take the computer-based GRE.