GRE ScoreSelect Explained: When to Send Scores and What Schools See

ScoreSelect is ETS’s score‑sending policy for the GRE. If you’ve tested more than once, you decide which test date(s) schools see. You can send just your most recent scores, all of your scores, or hand‑pick any test administrations from the last five years. With the shorter GRE now taking about 1 hour 58 minutes and official scores posting faster, ScoreSelect gives you real control over what programs receive and when.

On test day: after you see your unofficial Quant and Verbal scores, you may choose up to four schools for free and select either Most Recent (that day’s scores) or All (every valid GRE General Test from the past five years). After test day: you can order Additional Score Reports for any school for a fee (currently $40 per recipient) and choose Most Recent, All, or Any (one or several specific test dates). Important: scores from a single test date must be sent in full—you cannot mix a Verbal score from one date with a Quant score from another.

Graduate programs receive an official Institution Score Report with your name and contact details, intended major, the test date(s) you chose to send, section scores and associated percentile ranks. They do not see scores you did not send, any note that you took other GREs, or which other schools received your scores. Through ETS’s secure Data Manager, approved programs can also view your test‑day photo and your Analytical Writing response(s) from the administrations you reported.

Timeline at a glance: 1) End of your exam: you can view unofficial Quant and Verbal. 2) About 8–10 days after test day: your official scores post to your ETS account and ETS releases them to the programs you designated. 3) Most schools receive scores electronically; ETS delivers in regular reporting runs, and many programs load them within a day or two after each run. 4) If you order Additional Score Reports after test day, allow roughly five business days for ETS processing plus the school’s own intake time.

Send now if your unofficial scores meet or beat your target and the program does not require all scores. Wait and retake if a section is several points below your target or program medians. If a program requires all GRE scores, only send after you’re comfortable with every attempt you’re willing to have on record for that application. Applying to multiple programs with different rules? Create two lists: “send most recent” schools and “send after retake/all scores” schools.

Use these buffers: 1) If you plan to use your four free recipients on test day, schedule your exam at least two weeks before the score deadline (8–10 days for score release plus school processing time). 2) If you prefer to decide later and order Additional Score Reports, schedule at least three weeks before the deadline to cover ETS’s ASR processing and school intake. 3) Want a retake option? Count back 21 days from your backup test and then add another 8–10 days for score release. For example, if a program’s deadline is January 15, aim to test by late December for a single attempt; for a retake cushion, take a first attempt in late November and hold a second attempt in mid‑December.

At the end of the test you may cancel instead of reporting. Canceled scores don’t appear in your history and aren’t sent to schools. If you change your mind, you can typically reinstate a canceled score within 60 days for a fee (currently $50); reinstatement and reporting usually take about two weeks, so build that into any deadline plan. Retakes: you can take the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times in a rolling 12‑month period. GRE scores remain reportable for five years.

Waiting to pick recipients on test day and then forgetting to use your four free reports—this forces you to pay later and adds processing time. Testing too close to a deadline—score release happens quickly now, but offices still need time to load scores. Assuming you can superscore across dates—ETS sends complete test dates only; some programs may consider your highest section scores informally, but you cannot send mix‑and‑match sections. Overlooking “send all scores” policies—some programs require them; check every program’s instructions.

Start with Exambank’s diagnostic to get a baseline and realistic target. Use the Learn → Solve Together → Test Yourself flow to lift weak areas quickly, then watch your predicted score trajectories by section. If your Verbal trendline is already at goal but Quant lags, plan a short Quant‑heavy sprint and a near‑term retake that still fits the 21‑day rule and your deadline. Before test day, use Exambank’s mock tests to rehearse the shorter GRE timing and set a pre‑commit rule: “If I hit X on my last two mocks, I’ll send Most Recent; otherwise I’ll hold scores and book the retake.” After any attempt, Exambank auto‑generates targeted review sets so your second shot is focused, not repetitive.

1. List each program’s exact score deadline and whether it requires all scores. 2) Pick a first test date that’s at least two weeks before the earliest score deadline (three weeks if you won’t use free reports on test day). 3) Decide in advance which four schools you’ll send to for free on test day. 4) Set a retake date 21+ days later if you want a backup. 5) Define your send/wait rules based on target scores and program policies. 6) If retaking, update your plan: cancel or report, then prepare with Exambank’s targeted sets and fresh mocks.