What You Need to Know About Taking the GRE At Home
COVID-19 Series The Princeton Review
Hi, folks.
I’m Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief at The Princeton Review, and I’m here today to talk to you
about the new at-home GRE.
GRE of course stands for Graduate Record Examinations, and it’s the test that prospective graduate
students—as well as some prospective law students and business-school students—need
to take.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, test centers have been closed.
So ETS, the company that creates the GRE, is offering a remote option as of March 27th.
Same test—different setting.
This is a welcome development for many grad-school applicants—but it also brings challenges
of its own.
For starters, you’ll need to ensure you have the right test setup.
And this is especially important because when you register for the GRE, ETS does not offer
a check that you meet the requirements for testing at home, so it’ll be up to you to
know and meet those requirements before you register.
What are those requirements?
Well:
You must be able to use a laptop or desktop computer.
No tablets or phones are allowed.
Your computer must be a PC with Windows version 7, 8, or 10.
No Mac computers are allowed.
(I know!)
If you don’t have a PC with a Windows operating, you shouldn’t register for the GRE at-home
test.
You’ll also need to have a speaker, microphone, and camera.
These can be internal or external, but they may not be part of a headset.
You’ll need to be able to move the camera (or move your laptop with its built-in camera)
to show the remote proctor the area around your computer.
Beyond those technical requirements, you’ll also have to meet other general requirements:
You’ll need to be alone in a well-lit room with no interruptions.
You won’t be allowed to take the test in a public place, or in a space at home where
a family member or roommate could walk in.
Plan to take the test in a room with a closed door, where people and pets won’t be able
to disturb you for the duration of the exam.
You’ll need to take the test using a desk or table as well as a regular kitchen or office
chair.
You will not be allowed to sit on a couch, stuffed armchair, bed, or the floor.
Your desk or table must be clear of ALL unapproved items, including food and drink.
(You wouldn’t be allowed to have water on your desk during an onsite GRE, and you’re
not allowed to have it there at home either.)
You will definitely want to dress appropriately.
Your photo will be shared with any institutions you send your scores to.
Also keep in mind that
your ears must be visible the entire time, and you’re advised to avoid wearing any
jewelry or other accessories.
You will not be allowed to use paper to do your scratch work.
Instead, you’ll need to use a small whiteboard or plastic transparent sheet protectors (the
ones that are often used in binders).
Just put a plain white sheet of paper in the protector.
You’ll need at least one functioning dry-erase marker as well as some sort of eraser.
You are allowed to use a tissue as your eraser.
Folks, we will include a test-day checklist in the description for this video, so be sure
to check it out.
Now, once your setup is set up, you’ll need to register.
You’ll need to create an ETS account, and then select the option to test at home.
The test fee is the same as for an in-person test.
After you’ve registered and paid, wait until you receive an email from ProctorU, which
will allow you to choose your date and time.
And don’t worry if it doesn’t come right away—that can take 30 minutes or more to
land in your inbox.
Do not create a ProctorU account until you get that email, though.
If you require accommodations, unfortunately GRE is not providing those for the at-home
test right now.
If you have already submitted your paperwork and qualified for accommodations, we advise
that you call GRE to get the most up-to-date information about the availability of accommodations
for the at-home test.
When your test date and time arrives, you’ll see the option to start the session.
So, no need to arrive “early”!
But do ensure in advance that your workspace is clear, and that you have your whiteboard,
markers, eraser, and ID ready to go.
Keep your cell phone within reach because you’ll need to show it to the proctor as
part of the check-in process.
Note that it is OK if you have shelves above your desk with items on them—but your desk
does need to be clear.
You’ll also need to close all other programs on your computer and turn off any notifications.
Be sure you’re using Chrome when you go to the ProctorU website.
Now, at your scheduled time, the check-in process will begin.
It should take about 10 minutes.
You’ll be prompted to install the ProctorU Chrome extension if you haven’t already
done so.
Then, you must allow your session to be recorded, and the software takes your photo, as I mentioned
earlier.
Next, you are matched with a proctor, which you are told about in a chat window.
You won’t see or hear the proctor, but the proctor will be able to see and hear you throughout
the entire test.
The proctor will let you know in the chat box what you need to do.
You’ll use your camera to show the area around your desk and the space around the
room, and you’ll hold up your whiteboard (front and back) and any other items you are
using for the test.
Then the proctor will ask to see your cell phone, and to show that it is off and that
you are putting it somewhere you can’t reach it.
Next, the proctor will take control of your computer screen, download the ETS software,
and enter a code to log you in to your test session.
Then, the proctor will relinquish control and let you know through the chat that you’re
ready to start the test.
Now, the test you’ll be taking is the same in content and format as the in-person test,
just on your home computer.
If you need help, ask your remote proctor in the chat box (rather than raising your
hand).
Keep in mind that you may not leave the room except during the 10-minute break.
When you finish the test, you’ll return to the chat box.
The proctor will give you instructions for finishing up.
Then, you’re done!
Be sure to close out of all windows to ensure that you don’t continue to be recorded.
Overall, this is very faithful to the typical GRE test-taking experience.
One of the questions we’ve heard from students is whether programs will know that you took
your GRE at home (and not in a test center).
You may be worried that it won’t “count” the same.
But do not fear!
There won’t be any indication on your score report that you took the test at home.
Now of course, schools will see a photo of you taken during check-in, so they’ll likely
be able to infer that you took the test at home.
But—because the test is identical and GRE has test security measures in place, we don’t
anticipate at-home testing will have any effect on admissions decisions.
We hope you’re taking care of yourself during this stressful time.
If you have questions about the GRE or anything else in the higher-ed space, reach out to
us on social media or in the comments here.
Take care, everyone.