The GRE exam is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey. ETS is the sole official developer and provider of the GRE, responsible for creating the test content, setting scoring standards, and managing all aspects of exam delivery worldwide.
ETS: The Only Authorized Provider of the GRE
As the official administrator, ETS designs the GRE General Test and GRE Subject Tests to measure skills essential for graduate-level academic success. It also develops scoring algorithms, trains proctors, and ensures test security. No other organization is authorized to administer the official GRE.
ETS delivers the GRE through two primary formats:
- GRE General Test: Offered year-round at authorized testing centers and via remote proctoring.
- GRE Subject Tests: Administered three times per year at designated testing centers.
Test-takers register, pay fees, schedule appointments, and receive scores through the official ETS website. All official score reports are issued directly by ETS to institutions selected by the applicant.
Why It Matters That ETS Gives the GRE Exam
Because ETS is the sole provider, only scores reported through its system are accepted by graduate schools. Third-party prep companies, universities, or testing centers may offer practice exams—but only ETS can grant an official GRE score.
ETS also provides free and paid preparation materials, including practice tests, study guides, and score reports, ensuring transparency and fairness in test preparation.
ETS gives the GRE exam—and only ETS. Whether you take the test at a testing center or online, your results are processed, verified, and sent by ETS. Always use the official ETS website for registration and score reporting to ensure your scores are valid for graduate admissions.