Did you come across a document or application asking for a GRE registration number and not know what that meant? What is your GRE registration number? Is it important? Do you need to know it to get your scores? How can you find your registration number?

Never fear! We’ll answer all your GRE registration number questions in this guide so that you’re fully up-to-speed on when and why you may need this number.

 

What Is a GRE Registration Number?

Your GRE registration number is a seven-digit number that ETS uses to differentiate you from other test takers and make sure you are getting and sending the correct scores. Schools you apply to may also use it to verify your GRE scores.

This number is created after you register for the GRE or a GRE Subject Test, and it will be unique to you (i.e. no one else will have the same registration number as you). It’s also sometimes known as your ETS ID, but it is not the same as your GRE web registration confirmation number, which is usually much longer than seven digits.

If you take the GRE multiple times, each exam will have its own registration number. If you take the General GRE then take a Subject Test, both of those tests will also have different registration numbers. Each test gets its own registration number.

 

Why Do You Need a GRE Registration Number?

Most people will never need to know or use their registration number since it’s only used for specific and somewhat rare circumstances. There’s other information, such as your login ID and confirmation number, that are used and requested more often. You won’t need to know your registration number in order to do basic things like take the exam or access your scores. However, there are some situations that require your GRE registration number, and we explain the most common of these below.

 

 

Applying to Some Schools

Some grad programs will ask you to include your GRE registration number in your application so they can verify your scores. This used to be more common when it took longer for official scores to be sent, but it’s now rarely done since most schools instead request that you send your scores to them directly through ETS to ensure that they’re official and correct.

Choosing which schools to send your scores to is quick and easy to do, and it can be done at the test center before you take the GRE or after you receive your scores. However, some schools will allow you to self-report your GRE scores without sending them officially. These are the cases that usually require you to enter your registration number so they can verify the information.

 

To Contact ETS

To contact ETS about general inquiries, such as not being able to log into your account or needing to change your password, you may need to know your registration number, along with other information such as your account username and the date you took or are planning to take the GRE.

If you call ETS, they may ask you for the number, so you should have it handy, and if you contact them in writing, you should include your registration number in the letter to make it easier for them to identify you and solve the issue. You can find ETS’s contact info on their website.

 

To Reinstate Your GRE Scores

If you canceled your GRE scores but later decide to reinstate them (which you can do within 60 days of your test date), you’ll need to know your registration number. To reinstate your scores, you’d need to fax or mail ETS a check for $50 along with a completed Score Reinstatement Form. The form will ask for your GRE registration number (under ETS ID).

 

How to Find Your GRE Registration Number

There are three methods for how to find your GRE registration number. One way is to look at the confirmation email you were sent after registering for the exam. Your GRE registration number should be located on this email (be sure not to confuse it with your confirmation number, which is longer than seven digits).

The second approach for how to find your GRE registration number is only possible if you’ve already taken the exam. Several weeks after you take the test, you’ll receive a score report with your test scores and other information. Your registration number will be on your score report (see the image below).

If you can’t find your registration number using either of these two methods, you can also contact ETS directly. They should be able to tell you your registration number if you give them some basic information, such as your full name and the date of your GRE. Remember, each time you take the GRE or a GRE Subject Test, you’ll receive a new registration number, so be sure you’re looking for the registration number of the correct exam.

 

GRE Registration Numbers: Everything You Need to Know

Your GRE registration number is a unique seven-digit number that ETS assigns to every GRE test that is taken. The registration number helps them find and send particular scores more easily.

You likely won’t need to know your registration number, since other information is used more often to identify you and find your scores, but you may need it to apply to some schools, contact ETS, or get your GRE scores reinstated if you canceled them. If you don’t know your registration number, you can easily find it by looking at your confirmation email, checking your score report, or contacting ETS.

 

What’s Next?

Want more information on how to register for the GRE? Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about GRE registration!

How do you send GRE scores? Learn how to get your scores to the schools you’re applying to by checking out our guide.

What score should you be aiming for? Check out our guide to what a good GRE score is and learn how to develop your own score goals.