How to Cancel or Retake the GRE: A Complete Guide

You've finished the GRE General Test, and now you're staring at a score preview or a score report that doesn't match the hours you put in. Maybe you want to wipe that score from your record. Maybe you want another shot. Either way, ETS gives you specific windows and rules for both options, and knowing them before test day can save you money, stress, and a wasted attempt.

This guide walks through how to cancel a GRE score, how to retake the GRE, and how to make a GRE second attempt count. You'll also learn what actually changes between attempts and how to build a smarter study plan for round two.

Can You Cancel a GRE Score? Yes — But Timing Matters

ETS allows you to cancel your scores immediately after the test, before you leave the testing room. At the end of the exam, you'll see an unofficial score preview for the Verbal and Quantitative sections. You then choose whether to report or cancel those scores. If you cancel, the scores are permanently removed from your record and never sent to schools.

Analytical Writing is scored separately and isn't shown in the preview, but cancelling removes the entire test record — all three measures, including AWA.

What Cancelling Actually Does

• The scores are voided and cannot be reinstated.
• No score report is sent to any institution.
• Schools never learn you took the exam that day.
• You'll still see the attempt on your own ETS account, but it won't show numeric scores.

Cancelling is a clean slate with one big cost: you've spent the test fee and roughly two hours for nothing on paper. That's why most test-takers only cancel when a score is dramatically below target — not when it's a few points shy.

When Cancelling Makes Sense

Cancel if you felt sick, ran out of time in a section, had a technical issue, or simply know the score is unrepresentative of your ability. If you scored within a few points of your goal, keep it. You can always retake and use ScoreSelect to send only your best results later.

How to Retake the GRE: ETS Rules You Must Know

Retaking the GRE is straightforward, but ETS enforces a strict waiting period. Here's the framework:

• Frequency: You can take the GRE General Test once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period.
• Applies to both formats: The 21-day rule counts across test center and at-home administrations combined.
• Registration: You register for a retake the same way you registered the first time — through your ETS account.
• ScoreSelect: On test day, you choose whether to send scores from just this attempt or all attempts in the last five years.

Those five attempts reset on a rolling basis, so if you tested in January, April, July, September, and November, your January slot becomes available again the following January.

Should You Retake the GRE?

Retake if your target programs report median scores well above what you earned, if you know a specific section dragged you down, or if you underperformed due to circumstances you can control next time. Don't retake just because a friend scored higher — programs care about fit and your overall application, not just one number.

Before committing to a GRE retake, review your diagnostic data. Which question types cost you points? Was it pacing, content gaps, or anxiety? A GRE second attempt only helps if you change your preparation, not just your test date.

A free GRE General Test readiness check can give you a faster read on your weakest areas before you plan a retake.

Building a Smarter GRE Second Attempt

The GRE General Test is section-adaptive. Your performance on the first Verbal section determines whether the second Verbal section is easier or harder, and the same applies to Quant. That means the first section is worth extra attention — it sets the ceiling for your final score.

If you're retaking, structure your prep around the two adaptive sections and the specific weaknesses that held you back.

A free GRE General Test study plan can help you build that structure into a week-by-week schedule that matches your available time.

1. Diagnose Before You Drill

Take a full-length GRE practice exam under timed conditions before you study anything. The score and section breakdown give you a baseline, and the pattern of your mistakes tells you where to focus. Without that data, you're guessing.

2. Fix Content Gaps in Quant First

Quant scores respond fastest to targeted review. If number properties or probability tripped you up, work through those topics systematically rather than grinding mixed sets. Start with GRE math number theory and properties if your errors cluster around integer rules and divisibility, and drill GRE probability and combinatorics if those questions slowed you down.

3. Train Verbal with Real Passages

Verbal improvement is slower, but it's real if you practice with authentic-style passages and review every wrong answer. Focus on why the correct answer is correct, not just why yours was wrong. Vocabulary still matters for Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence, but strategy matters more.

4. Rehearse Test Day Itself

Many retakers lose points to logistics, not knowledge. Decide whether you'll test at a center or at home — our breakdown of GRE at-home vs. test center trade-offs can help. Then run a full dress rehearsal using GRE test-day tips so check-in, breaks, and the score preview feel routine.

5. Schedule with Buffer

Book your retake date so you have at least four to six weeks of focused prep. The 21-day minimum is a floor, not a target. Give yourself enough runway that you're walking into the second attempt with new habits, not just a fresh date.

Score Sending and Your Retake Strategy

ScoreSelect is one of the GRE's most underused features. It lets you decide, from each test administration, whether to send no scores, only the most recent scores, or all scores from the past five years. Programs that accept ScoreSelect see only what you choose to send.

That means a weak first attempt doesn't have to follow you. If you retake and improve, you can send just the better result. Read our full guide on GRE score sending to plan exactly when and what to report.

Two Score-Reporting Moments to Remember

• On test day: You can send scores to up to four institutions for free — but only from that day's test, and only if you didn't cancel.
• After test day: You can order additional score reports from your ETS account and use ScoreSelect at that time.

Plan your sends around application deadlines, not around your testing schedule. There's no advantage to sending scores months before you need to.

Common Mistakes When Cancelling or Retaking the GRE

The same errors show up again and again among retakers:

• Cancelling out of frustration. Unless the score is clearly unrepresentative, keep it. You can always retake.
• Retaking without a new plan. Repeating the same study routine produces the same score.
• Ignoring the adaptive structure. The first section of each measure shapes the second. Practice full sections, not just isolated questions.
• Forgetting the 21-day rule. Booking too soon wastes a slot you might need later.
• Skipping full-length practice exams. Timed, full-length runs are the only way to simulate pacing and stamina.

If you're also considering other standardized tests or professional certifications, the same principle applies: know the rules before you commit, and let data drive your decisions. Our guides on exams like the SC-300 exam follow the same principle of examining the rules before you sit down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my GRE score after I leave the test center?

No. Score cancellation must happen at the end of your test session, before you leave. Once you've seen the preview and confirmed your choice, it's final.

How soon can I retake the GRE?

You can register for another GRE General Test 21 days after your previous attempt, up to five times in a rolling 12-month period.

Do schools see that I cancelled a GRE score?

No. Cancelled scores are not reported to institutions. Only scores you choose to send via ScoreSelect appear on your official record for schools.

Is a GRE second attempt worth it?

It's worth it if you have a specific weakness to fix and enough time to prepare differently. If your score already meets program expectations, focus your energy on the rest of your application instead.

Can I retake just one section of the GRE?

No. The GRE General Test is administered as a whole. A retake means sitting the full exam — Analytical Writing, both Verbal sections, and both Quant sections.

Final Thoughts

Cancelling a GRE score and retaking the GRE are both tools, not verdicts. Use cancellation sparingly, use ScoreSelect strategically, and treat a GRE retake as a chance to fix a specific problem rather than simply repeat an experience. The students who improve most on a second attempt are the ones who diagnose first, drill second, and rehearse under real conditions.

See how you measure up on timed GRE practice exams before booking your exam slot.