After all your hard work and studying, GRE test day is your chance to showcase your skills! While thinking about test day may make you nervous, knowing what to expect and being prepared can significantly ease your test day experience. In this article, we’ll guide you through what test day looks like and equip you with essential tips.
- The Day Before GRE Test Day
- Checklist for GRE Test Day at a Test Center
- Checklist for GRE Test Day at Home
- Tips for GRE Test Day
- After the Exam: Reporting Your Scores
The Day Before GRE Test Day
Before we talk about test day, let’s talk about something just as important: the day before your exam. You’ve probably heard this a hundred times before, but, yes, it’s important to get a good night’s sleep. And the GRE is no different. It’s a long and taxing experience, and you don’t want to be nodding off at any point. So, a good night of rest is crucial to your performance.
Also, don’t do anything that is not part of your routine. For instance, if a friend asks you out for dinner, reschedule. That’s not because you are antisocial, but we do tend to stay up later if a social engagement is involved. At the same time, don’t turn off your phone and hide under the covers, hoping for a twelve-hour sleep session. Again, try to stick to your weekday routine as much as possible.
Finally, don’t feel you need to cram, or worse yet, stay up cramming. The GRE tests knowledge built up over a lifetime–or at least a few months of intensive prepping. Cramming the night before GRE test day won’t lead to a higher score. In fact, because it will most likely fray your already frayed nerves, cramming may actually hurt your score. Instead, try to relax, as much as it is possible to do so.
Checklist for GRE Test Day at a Test Center
We’re going to cover the quick highlights that you need to know, but definitely take a look at the following resources from ETS (the makers of the GRE) for all the details:
1. Know your test center
Get to know the test center’s location and layout. It’s a good idea to plan your travel route ahead of time, taking into account things like traffic and parking. Also, be sure to budget yourself enough time that you arrive to the test center at least 30 minutes early. All of this will make your GRE test day go much smoother!
2. Dress code on GRE test day
The last thing you want to be worried about when taking the GRE is feeling too hot or too cold. Test centers are often on the colder side, but either way, you need to be ready to adapt to the environment on test day.
Also, most jewelry is prohibited, so don’t wear any.
3. What to bring: your valid ID
This step is crucial! If your ID isn’t valid, isn’t up to date, and/or doesn’t match your registration name, your scores won’t count, and you won’t get a refund. We recommend using your passport as your ID, but check out ETS’s ID requirements for all the options and regulations.
4. What not to bring
- Scratch paper – The test center will provide that for you
- Calculator – You can only use the on-screen calculator built into the exam
- Food and drink – You can certainly bring these with you to the test center if you’d like, but you won’t be able to access them during your exam unless you’ve requested accommodations ahead of time
5. Be prepared for check-in procedures on GRE test day
ETS takes test security seriously. After signing some forms and having your picture taken, be prepared to be inspected. This may involve being scanned with a handheld metal detector, emptying your pockets, or having your clothing examined more closely. You’ll also be video recorded throughout the exam.
Checklist for GRE Test Day at Home
Here are some essential things to be aware of, but be sure to check out the following resources from ETS (the makers of the GRE) for the full details:
1. Set up your room
In your room:
- it should be quiet and have plenty of light
- your desk and the surrounding area should be clear of items
- all the doors should be closed
- you should be the only person there
2. Dress code on GRE test day
Hopefully your room is set to the temperature that you desire. Still, it’s a good idea to wear layers since the last thing you want to be worried about when taking the GRE is feeling too hot or too cold.
Also, most jewelry is prohibited, so don’t wear any.
3. Set up your computer and other equipment
Per ETS’s requirements, make sure that you’ve downloaded their browser, run the Equipment Check, and resolved any issues. Additionally, if using WiFi, make sure that your signal is strong and that you aren’t running into any bandwidth issues. Also make sure that your camera and microphone are in working order.
And be sure to log in at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled exam time.
4. What to bring on GRE test day
This step is crucial! If your ID isn’t valid, isn’t up to date, and/or doesn’t match your registration name, your scores won’t count, and you won’t get a refund. We recommend using your passport as your ID, but check out ETS’s ID requirements for all the options and regulations.
When testing at home, you’ll also need a mirror or mobile phone so that you can show the proctor what’s on your computer screen.
Lastly, for the equivalent of scratch paper, you’re only allowed to have a whiteboard (or a piece of paper inside a transparent sheet protector) and an erasable marker.
5. What not to bring
- Calculator – You can only use the on-screen calculator built into the exam
- Food and drink – You won’t be able to have these during your exam unless you’ve requested accommodations ahead of time
6. Be prepared for check-in procedures on GRE test day
You’ll work with the remote proctor to confirm your identity and to provide them with a clear look at your room and testing equipment. Note that your entire exam session will be recorded and that you’ll need to stay in view of the proctor at all times.
Tips for GRE Test Day
Believe in yourself
Feeling nervous is totally normal and GRE test day anxiety is real, but don’t forget about all the hours you’ve put into preparing for this! Having self-confidence can really make a difference in how well you perform. Take a moment to think about how far you’ve come and the progress you’ve made, including your practice test scores. Believe in yourself and all the hard work you’ve done. Reminding yourself of your abilities and giving yourself positive affirmations can help you stay focused, manage test anxiety, and perform at your absolute best!
Stay cool
When you come across a challenging question during the GRE, don’t panic! Take a deep breath and approach it with a calm mindset. First, check if it’s a question type you’re familiar with. If it seems completely unfamiliar, you can always mark it for review and come back to it later. But if it’s within your grasp, break it down step by step. For example, in math problems, identify the given information and what solution is required. By staying composed, you’ll be able to tackle the problem in a methodical and effective way.
Relax
Use deep breathing exercises and positive visualization to keep stress at bay. Before the exam, take a few minutes to inhale deeply, hold, and exhale slowly. This can help calm your nerves and improve focus. Additionally, visualize a successful test experience, which can boost your confidence and reduce anxiety.
After the Exam: Reporting Your Scores
At the end of the GRE, you’ll have the option to either cancel your scores or report them. Because you have a fair amount of control over which scores to report (and to which specific schools) and when, there’s typically not a reason to ever cancel them. But if you truly wish to do so, you can and then there will be no record of you having taken this test. (You also won’t know what score you got on the exam. But the results might actually be better than what you were thinking!)
If you select to report your scores, you then view your unofficial math and verbal scores. Next, for free, you are allowed to select up to 4 schools to send your scores to. As for which scores, you have two options:
- You can send the scores of only the exam that you just took
- Or you can send all your GRE scores from the past 5 years
If you don’t take advantage of this opportunity, you can still send your scores later on. You also get additional control over which scores you can send, but each report costs you a fee. The additional option in this case is:
- You can send your score from any one or more GREs from the past 5 years
Closing Thoughts
Remember, GRE test day is your chance to show off your skills. With solid prep, effective time management, and a positive mindset, you’re ready to rock the GRE. So go out there and make your mark!
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