These days, GRE promo codes are abundant and can be used to purchase anything from prep courses to GRE books and study materials. But can you use a GRE promo code to get a discount on the test itself? After all, the GRE is a pretty pricey exam!

In this article, I’ll explain what a GRE promo code is, where to find these codes, and how you can use one with an online purchase. I’ll also give you step-by-step instructions on how to get a discount, or “fee reduction,” on the GRE test.

 

What Is a GRE Promo Code?

Also known as a “coupon code” or a “discount code,” a GRE promo code is a digital coupon you can apply to an online purchase of GRE-related materials or courses. Some codes are specifically for the purchase of official ETS materials, while others are for popular GRE prep companies such as Magoosh and Kaplan.

Like regular coupons, GRE promo codes offer a range of discounts, either knocking off a fixed amount of money or giving a percent-based discount on an entire order. Typically, promo codes are only valid for a limited period of time.

So what exactly can you buy with a GRE promotional code? Most GRE promo codes can be used to purchase exam prep, such as GRE prep books, practice tests, online courses, memberships, and so on. For example, I recently came across a Kaplan promo code offering 20 percent off GRE prep courses and another promo code offering a $200 discount for GRE immersion courses by The Princeton Review.

Even if you’ve got a promo code, though, be sure that what you want to buy isn’t cheaper through a different company such as Amazon. As is the case with any item, it’s a smart idea to cross-check prices before committing to a purchase.

But what about GRE test fees? Unfortunately, very rarely will you find an ETS promo code specifically for GRE test registration. In reality, there aren’t all that many ETS promo codes for the GRE and any that do exist almost always offer discounts on general prep materials but not on the test itself. That said, there are a few options available for those who’d prefer to spend less on the GRE. We’ll discuss this more later.

Lastly, there is a difference between promo codes and sales. GRE promo codes must be manually applied at checkout in order to receive the discount. If you forget to apply a code, you won’t receive the discount, even if the promo code is still valid. With sales, on the other hand, all discounts are automatic.

 

Where Can You Find GRE Promo Codes?

One easy way to search for GRE promo codes is to peruse popular coupon code websites, such as Retail Me Not, Deals Cove, Coupons.com, and DontPayFull.com. These websites compile all available promo codes in a single place for you. Moreover, most are free, allowing you to look at and copy codes without having to make an account or pay a fee.

Unfortunately, expired or incorrect codes are somewhat common on these websites, so don’t expect all promo codes listed to actually work. As a way to counteract invalid codes, many coupon code websites list percentages to indicate what percent of people a particular code worked (and didn’t work) for. This is helpful, as it allows you to predict the likelihood of getting a certain code to work for you.

You can also try searching Google for “promotional code for GRE,” “GRE coupon code,” “GRE coupon,” etc., to see if you can locate any promo codes online at company websites.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to sign up for newsletters from GRE prep companies since newsletters are often the first places where limited-time promotions and sales are announced.

 

 

How Do You Use a GRE Promo Code?

Using a GRE promo code is a surprisingly simple process and works just the same as any other promo code online. Nearly all promo codes are applied during the checkout stage of an online purchase (before you pay).

To apply a promo code, copy the code from wherever you found it and paste it into the blank space for coupon codes or voucher codes. Usually, you cannot apply more than a single promo code to one order.

If you’re lucky enough to find an ETS promo code that works (or if you have a GRE voucher code — see the following section to learn what this is), there are two main ways you can use it online:

• Through your ETS Account
• Through the ETS store

 

ETS Account

If you’d like to test a promo code while purchasing GRE materials through your ETS Account, start by logging on and then clicking “Shop for Test Preparation” on the left-hand side of the homepage:

From here, you can browse all official GRE materials, including practice questions and variations of The Official Guide to the GRE General Test. Add the item(s) you want to your cart and click “Next.” You’ll be brought to an overview of your cart. Click “Proceed to Checkout” to get to the following page:

At the top (the light blue area) is where you will input any promo codes you have. If a promo code doesn’t work, you’ll receive a red error message:

Always confirm your ETS promo code has been properly applied before proceeding to pay. Remember, it’s very common for codes found online to be unusable or expired, so don’t expect all promo codes you find to work 100 percent of the time.

Luckily, you can try as many codes as you want, so the best thing to do is plug in each code one at a time and see if any work for your particular order. If applied successfully, the order’s total should automatically reduce in price, giving you a nice discount!

 

 

ETS Store

You can also try to apply an ETS promo code when placing an order through the official ETS store.

On the left-hand side of the home screen, click “GRE” to browse all GRE materials available for purchase. Once you find something you like, click “Add to Cart.” Promo codes can then be applied in the “Promo Code” blank located beneath your cart items:

Once again, if a promo code is invalid or expired, you’ll get a red error message:

 

Can You Get a Discount on the GRE?

Although it’s true GRE promo codes rarely, if ever, apply to the test fee itself, there are a few options for getting a discount on the exam.

ETS offers a 50 percent discount on the GRE (or GRE subject test) in the form of a GRE voucher code (similar to a promo code) through its GRE Fee Reduction Program. This program is only available to those who:

• Have demonstrated financial need, or
• Are unemployed, or
• Belong to a national program that works with underrepresented groups (we’ll cover what specific programs in just a moment)

If approved for a fee reduction, you’ll get a GRE voucher code to use while registering for the exam. This means you’d only have to pay $102.50 (instead of $205) for the general GRE, and $75 (instead of $150) for a GRE subject test. Note that you cannot combine this voucher with any other promo code or offer.

By now, you’re probably thinking, “Sounds great! But, wait, what’s the catch?” Well, the GRE Fee Reduction Program maintains a fairly strict set of requirements in determining who is eligible to apply. On top of that, the entire process can take about a month or longer, so it’s somewhat tedious.

Here is an overview of what you’ll need to do to apply for the GRE Fee Reduction Program.

 

#1: For Those With Financial Need

This program is geared toward those who cannot afford the full GRE test fee. Only a limited number of fee reductions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

To be eligible for a need-based fee reduction, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien
• Be located in the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, or the U.S. Virgin Islands
• Be a senior in college or an unenrolled college graduate
• (For students) be receiving financial aid
• (For students) be a dependent with an Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) indicating a parental contribution of $2,500 or less for senior year, or be a self-supporting individual with an ISIR indicating a contribution of $3,000 or less for senior year
• (For graduates) have applied for financial aid
• (For graduates) be a self-supporting individual with an ISIR indicating a contribution of $3,000 or less

Here’s how to apply for a fee reduction:

1. Get in contact with the financial aid office at your current university (if a student) or prospective graduate school (if unenrolled) to determine your eligibility.
2. Wait to receive a Fee Reduction Certificate and a copy of your ISIR from your institution (if you’re eligible for the discount).
3. Follow the directions on your Fee Reduction Certificate, which includes sending the certificate, ISIR, and GRE Fee Reduction Request Form to ETS.

If you’ve received this particular fee reduction within the past year and want to retake the GRE, you can do so at half the price without having to resubmit a Fee Reduction Certificate or ISIR. Simply follow the instructions on the Declaration of Eligibility Form and submit this to ETS along with a new GRE Fee Reduction Request Form.

 

 

#2: For the Unemployed

This program is for those who are currently unemployed. Like the need-based fee reduction program described above, this fee reduction is only available on a first-come, first-served basis.

You can apply for this Fee Reduction Certificate if you:

• Are a U.S. citizen or resident alien
• Are located in the U.S., Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands
• Are currently receiving unemployment compensation
• Became unemployed sometime in the past six months

To apply, submit the following materials to ETS:

• A Declaration of Unemployment Form (page 2)
• A GRE Fee Reduction Request Form
• A copy of an Unemployment Benefits Statement (from the past 90 days)

Finally, all you have to do is wait four weeks to receive your GRE voucher in the mail. If you lose your voucher, you may request a single replacement by contacting ETS at 1-866-473-4373 or gre-info@ets.org.

 

#3: For Those Involved With Select Scholarship Programs

ETS offers GRE fee reductions to those who are involved with specific scholarship programs with a focus on underrepresented groups. Currently, these programs are:

• Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS)
• The National GEM Consortium
• Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)
• Project 1000 Program (at present, indefinitely suspended)
• Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program)

Consult your program directly for more details on how to apply for a GRE fee reduction.

 

Recap: Using GRE Promo Codes for Discounts

To recap, while you can’t use a promotional code for the GRE test fee, you may be able to get a 50 percent discount on the exam if you qualify for the GRE Fee Reduction Program.

GRE promo codes are usually found on coupon code websites or in GRE-related newsletters from prep companies. Promo codes primarily offer discounts on GRE-related materials, such as prep books, online courses, memberships, etc.

Unfortunately, finding a valid promo code online can be a difficult task. It isn’t uncommon for GRE promo codes shared online to be incorrect, expired, or for whatever reason invalid.

To use a GRE promo code, always confirm you’re on the correct website and are about to purchase whatever the promo code is giving a discount for. (Some promo codes may apply to multiple types of items or orders.) Then, test out the promo code by pasting it into the coupon area at checkout. If the code is valid, your order will reduce in price. If the code is invalid or expired, you will receive an error message. Feel free to test as many promo codes as you want!

If you’re in need of a discount for the actual GRE test and not just GRE materials, check to see if you’re eligible for the GRE Fee Reduction Program. The three ways you can apply for this program are if you are:

• Struggling financially
• Unemployed
• A member of a select national scholarship program targeting underrepresented people

Taking the GRE isn’t cheap, and sometimes neither is studying for it! So here’s to wishing you find all of the (valid) GRE promo codes you can find!

 

What’s Next?

Seeking more info on GRE fees? Learn about the total cost of the GRE and check to see if you’re eligible for a GRE fee waiver.

Looking for GRE study materials? We’ve got an in-depth review of the one and only ETS GRE guide, containing everything you need to know and more! You can also browse our top selections for the best GRE prep books and our complete collection of GRE practice tests.

Still got questions? Take a peek at our comprehensive GRE FAQ.