Written ByRituparna Nath Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams
GRE at home is the result of the covid-19 outbreak. GRE test at home has the identical content, format, and on-screen experience as the GRE exam taken at the test center. GRE home test is taken by students on their personal computer at home and is controlled by a human proctor online. Candidates planning to take admission during Spring 2023 are advised to take the GRE home test two months prior to the application deadline. The GRE from home can be taken in all the places where the GRE general test is available except for Mainland China and Iran.
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GRE Exam at Home - Syllabus
The main aim of the GRE at home test is to enable the students to take the exam from the safety of their homes. The main difference between the test-center and GRE test from home system is that - they will be using their own equipment and monitored by a human proctor online. The structure of the GRE exam from home is similar to that of the general test GRE exam pattern in terms of exam pattern, content, and on-screen activities. The monitoring will be done by a human proctor through GRE ProctorU. The GRE home edition syllabus, therefore, comprises Verbal, Quant, and Analytical Writing sections.
If the candidates are planning to take the Spring 2023 admission then the GRE home based test preparation should be started at least from the months of January or February.
GRE Test at Home Requirements
For GRE home test requirements need the following equipment is necessary for the candidates to have for availing the ETS GRE home test:
- PC or MAC computer;
- Movable camera for displaying the entire room to the proctor;
- Microphone;
- Speaker;
- Headsets are not required
The ambiance of the candidate’s room should adhere to the following measures for ETS GRE home requirements :
- No one should enter the room during the hours of the test;
- You cannot take the test in a park or cafe (or any other public place);
- The computer/keyboard should be placed on the tabletop;
- Unnecessary items not approved by the test-makers should be removed;
- Sit in a standard chair;
- No food or drinks allowed;
- Your ears should be visible throughout the exam;
- Dress in a sober manner and avoid pieces of jewelry;
- Takedown notes only in whiteboard with erasable marker or paper with a transparent sheet protector and erasable marker
GRE Test at Home Registration
The GRE at home registration is slightly different from that of the registration of GRE general test as it is taking place in the candidate’s home and certain guidelines have to be followed.
- Step 1: Test-takers should ensure that the previous measures concerning equipment and environment are met failing which they won’t be able to take the test;
- Step 2: Gather the ID requirements or necessarily passport. Though ETS is accepting government IDs for the time being. For further information about ID requirements, check the site;
- Step 3: Create an ETS account if you don’t have one;
- Step 4: After logging in, find the GRE test centers and dates by selecting the ‘test at home’ option. Remember, you’ll only view that option if your selected place is offering it;
- Step 5: Following the steps, pay for the test and you’ll receive a mail from ETS confirming your payment;
- Step 6: In the last step, you’’ receive an ID and temporary password from ProctorU® which can be used to book the test date and time.
ETS GRE Home Test Timing
ETS GRE at home allows the candidates to take the GRE exam home at any time throughout the day or night 7 days a week. The home GRE test remains the same length so you can take the exam at your convenience time.
ProctorU GRE
A live proctor will watch all through the test. Before the test began, the proctor will ask the candidate to hold up his/her whiteboard (a requirement for the GRE At Home) and rotate it to ensure that there was nothing written on it. The candidate will be recorded throughout the test, intending that ETS will be able to observe and prevent candidates from recording test questions on a hidden camera. This helps to avoid GRE at home scam or cheating.
GRE at Home Whiteboard
A whiteboard for GRE at home is required for candidates who need to solve problems. The proctor must be able to witness learners erase their GRE whiteboard at home. Pencil and paper are not allowed.
GRE at Home Tests and Breaks
GRE at home follows the same pattern as GRE general test. GRE general test at home would have been done on a regular test. After the first two test sections (GRE Verbal Reasoning and GRE Quantitative Reasoning), the candidate can take the optional 10-minute bathroom or a snack break. Then the candidate can continue the other test sections.
GRE at Home Results
The candidate will receive their TOEFL scores right as the test ended. The GRE at home test allows applicants to take the test on the schedule they had planned out well before the pandemic.
GRE at Home Guidelines
The following factors should be considered before and while taking the test:
- Solve any issue before starting the test;
- Gather the required ID and have a presentable environment (as asked);
- Ensure you’re ready before the allotted time;
- The proctor will ask you to:
- Hold a mirror or cellphone to display the tabletop computer/laptop;
- Show the tabletop and room view through the computer/laptop camera;
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The proctor can interact with the help of LogMeIn chat and if they wish to interact then the blue owl will bounce
GRE at Home Score
Once you’re done with your exam, your GRE scores will be available in your ETS account within 13 - 15 days. The selected grad schools will receive your GRE scores within 10 - 15 days after the test day.
Note: If you wish to opt for retesting then the above-mentioned steps have to be followed again.
GRE at Home - Rescheduling
To reschedule GRE exam online login to your ProctorU® account and select the reschedule option and choose the test date and time preceding the appointment date and time. You can call the ProctorU®, chat in their live chat option, or mail them regarding the same.
GRE at Home - Cancellation
The process of GRE online exam cancellation is mostly similar to that of rescheduling. The candidate needs to contact the ETS test-taking service through the live chat option which is available throughout the day. Or they can also avail of the calling facility through these numbers: 1-609-771-7670/1-866-473-4373.
Candidates must cancel the exam prior to 4 days of the actual test date doing which will provide them with half the refund.
The GRE at-home exam is of utmost help during this crisis period and there have been reviews of the at-home exam being easier than the test-center one. Therefore, candidates just need to focus on the GRE online exam preparation. For that, the GRE practice papers are always of big help.
GRE Home Test Experience
GRE at home is available in India and Avni (a candidate) decided to reschedule her exam. She had talked to customer care to book GRE at home. They redirected her to ProctorU GRE at home with her login details sent to the registered mail ID where she had to select the test date and time. She has to register to take home GRE within 24-hours of receiving the email. A benefit of taking GRE at home, is the accustomed of the home keyboard and making it easier to write the AWA writings.
- Before the Exam: The overall GRE home test rules are the same as that of the test centers. You cannot move from your seat during the exam except while taking the 10-minute break. You need to have your passport (or relevant ID proofs) ready before you begin your exam. The home based GRE would start 3 minutes before the real exam time which enables the proctor to connect to your PC and perform the checks needed. You need to download the “ETS Online Test Browser” and pre environment checks provided by “ProctorU system check”. The environment checks requires your camera and microphone access along with Adobe flash player access. During the test, your face should be visible. Avni had a class-sized, whiteboard size for GRE at home. In case you don’t have either the whiteboard, you need to contact the ProctorU and ETS for the rough work material.
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During the Exam: Avni was able to move after completing 2 sections(Quant and Verbal sections). There was a 10 minutes break. They would also ask you to show your glasses (if any) and photo ID for proof before the next section test begins. Once you have finished the exam, you can report the GRE scores, and end the exam by communicating to your online human proctor.
How to prepare for GRE at home?
You can prepare for GRE at home, by following the given tips below:
- Try reading non-fictions, also read novels, magazines, and journals to become well-acquainted with many types of narratives and academic writing.
- Try to follow a strict GRE study plan, you can make 3-month or 6-month study plan accordingly
- Take regular GRE Mock test to understand your strong and weak points
- Keep a chart of your progress to track an overview of your score improvements and will effectively work on your study techniques.
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Lastly, follow your gut feelings for multiple-choice questions where you can narrow down the options to decide between two plausible answers.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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