1. Because you can. When ETS was planning to introduce a new Revised GRE in September 2007, no test dates were scheduled for all of August. Now that they’ve cancelled introducing the new GRE (which is good news!), you can take the test whenever you like over the summer. Go for it!

2. Two words: down time. If you’re on a school break, you can now devote your late-night study hours to GRE prep. If you’re working and don’t have the benefit of summers off, hopefully you have reduced summer hours or a summer slow down to devote to GRE prep.

3. Early grad school admissions. Taking the GRE early will allow you to apply to grad school earlier in the admissions cycle, when there are more spots available, giving you a leg up on the competition.

4. Flexible schedules. Many testing centers have more test takers than appointments, and it is becoming more and more difficult to get convenient appointments, particularly on the weekends. Your schedule is probably a lot more flexible during the summer.

5. Nicer weather makes for nicer everything. The truth is, preparing for the GRE is a necessary evil if you want to get your best possible score. Make your preparation more palatable by taking advantage of great weather and studying outdoors. Why not bask in the sun as you work on your test-taking skills?