Written ByRituparna Nath Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams
GRE is a globally accepted test for graduate or doctorate level courses and just like other exams of this level, registration for GRE also has some requirements. It is advised for the candidates to be informed about the requirements of GRE beforehand. This article helps exactly in this regard.
What should we carry for GRE exam?
Documents required for registration for GRE are not very long. The conducting authority of GRE has kept its requirements pretty limited. To take this test, a candidate only needs to hold a valid ID and this ID proof must be issued by the government as well. This valid ID is preferably a passport. The passport must not be an expired one and it must have a recent photo of the candidate. The spelling of the test-takers name and the name written in the passport must be the same. The signature of the candidate in the passport and in the exam form must be the same. The photo must be recognizable to the candidate.
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The candidates are required to provide the ID proof in original – photocopies are not accepted. ETS is very particular about the ID requirement. On the test day, if it is seen that the spelling of first and last name of the candidates are not the same in the application form and in the ID proof, the applications of the candidates will be canceled.
As a valid ID proof is the sole requirement of GRE, during the exam day, the IDs will be thoroughly checked and verified before allowing the candidate in the exam. For registration for GRE candidates may need to go for a biometric voice along with a photo identification process followed by fingerprint matching or thumb impression-matching segment. There can be a videotaping process to verify the candidate. The signature comparison will also be done before permitting the candidate.
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GRE General ID Requirements
There are a few exceptions to the ID documents that must meet all of the following requirements. The ID document must follow the below criteria:
- Must bring an original document; photocopied documents are not acceptable and documents cannot be presented on a cell phone or any other electronic device
- The document must be a government-issued national/state/province identity card that is recognized by the country in which you are a citizen or permanent resident
- Also, the document must be valid. It must not be expired
- The document must have your first and last name exactly (excluding accents) as it was when registering for the test
- The photograph in the document must be a recognizable one.
- It must include your signature
Documents Not Required for GRE
A candidate must hold other ID proof, which may be accepted for all other purposes, but for GRE these will not be accepted. The following ones can be named for this purpose:
- Photocopy of ID proof
- Expired ID proof
- Softcopies of the ID proof
- International student ID card
- Employee ID card
- International driving license
- Draft classification card
- Credit/debit card
- Birth certificate of the candidate
- Notary-prepared letter or document
- Social security card
- Temporary ID proofs
- Diplomatic ID card
- Consulate ID card
- Embassy ID card
- Any document that is not recognized by a government agency
What if a Candidate Cannot Meet the ID Requirement for GRE
Even after being very strict regarding the ID requirement of GRE, ETS sometimes approves the applications of the candidates who do not have valid ID proof. Candidates granted political asylum or having a refugee status may not get access to a valid passport and ETS is well aware of this.
In this case, the candidate needs to contact the Office of Testing Integrity or OTI to get the approval of submitting an alternative document. Remember, the candidate has to get approval a minimum of 7 days before the GRE registration. In case a candidate who does not have a valid passport gets the approval of OTI, will not be permitted for the exam and he/she will not get any refund of the exam fees. OTI will thoroughly check and review the document before approving it.
Below the information is listed to contact ETS OTI
| | |
| Phone | 1-800-750-6991 (United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Canada) |
| Fax | 1-609-406-9709 |
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Other Requirements of GRE
ETS, the conducting authority of GRE has not fixed other requirements like age or education criteria. As GRE is taken for the graduate-level courses, it is expected that the candidates who have cleared their undergraduates and obtained the certificate before applying for the GRE.
Candidates who are willing to study graduate courses in business, engineering, and law can take GRE.
GRE Requirements for the Candidates with Disability
ETS understand the candidates’ health needs very well and that’s why facilities are given to individuals with a disability. The following ones are to mention a few:
Braille
For GRE general test, JAWS with or without Braille are allowed. Candidates with visual impairment can avail of this facility by filling up the form during the registration.
Test Preparation Materials
Test preparation materials are also available for the candidates of the GRE general test. Differently-able candidates, may not feel that confident before the test day. These test preparation materials are to boost up the candidates so that they can secure a good GRE score. From the prepared page, these materials can be used.
Accommodation
ETS disability services offer the facility of accommodation to the candidates. Candidates can avail of accommodations by filling up a form. The approval of the accommodation is up to ETS disability services. Candidates with health issues can avail of this at the time of scheduling their GRE. It is advised to apply for the accommodation 6 weeks before the GRE exam date because the paper works take time.
Process of Availing the Facilities
So, it will not be wrong to claim that ETS is there to cater to all the needs of their candidates and they can make the exam day easy and comfortable for them. Candidates with any special requirements just need to provide the medical documents at the time of registration. The document must certify the disability or health issue of the candidate. ETS will verify the document and permit the candidates to avail these facilities.
It sometimes needs time – sometimes it takes over a month. So, the candidates must calculate the time remaining for the test day before applying for these facilities.
Generally, the GRE has only one requirement – a valid ID proof but if a candidate is willing to take any special facilities, they need to provide the documents in support of that. So, GRE requirements are quite simple to understand.
*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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