Rita Neumann

Magoosh GRE Prep During COVID-19

gre prep during covid19

What a time to be prepping for the GRE! As though studying for a standardized test wasn’t stressful enough, now you’re doing it during a global pandemic. GRE prep during COVID-19 is not ideal, to say the very least.

Whether your GRE study plans were disrupted due to Coronavirus, or you decided to begin prepping for the GRE because you suddenly find yourself with a lot of time on your hands, know that Magoosh is here to support you. We want to make sure you have all the information about the GRE options available to you, so you can make informed decisions about your exam.

How is Magoosh supporting GRE students during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Account Extensions

We know that there is a lot of uncertainty around test dates and application cycles at the moment. So, if you purchase an account (or you already have an account) and your GRE plans change, you can email [email protected] and let us know. We will either pause your account until you are ready to study again or give you a free extension until your test date. It’s up to you.

Up-to-date Information About GRE Prep During COVID-19

If you’re like me right now, then you find reading the news and checking social media to be an exhausting and anxiety-inducing experience. And logging onto the ETS website for daily updates isn’t exactly great for your mental health. So leave that to us.

For regular updates about GRE exam availability and application implications, bookmark this post and/or the articles below. I will update them as new information becomes available.


Was Your GRE Canceled? You Can Take It at Home: Magoosh’s Founder and CEO, Bhavin, offers information about the at-home GRE exam, including a special section on note-taking with a whiteboard or sheet protector, with information directly from ETS. He also interviews a Magoosh student who successfully took the GRE at home (and got his goal score!).
 
 
Proctor U GRE - image by Magoosh
A Student’s Guide to Taking the GRE Online with ProctorU: Magoosh Student, Corina, successfully took the online GRE. She shares her story, tips, and experience with ProctorU. For additional student perspectives with the at-home GRE, check out GRE at Home: A Real Student’s Experience & Tips and ETS Online GRE: A Good Experience with Unexpected Surprises.
 
 
Coronavirus Thumbnail
 
Live Updates: Effects of COVID-19 on Standardized Testing: Information about the effects of COVID-19 and social distancing on standardized tests such as the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, IELTS, TOEFL, SAT, and ACT, as well as admissions.
 
 

Must-Know GRE Facts

If you only read one thing, read this section:

Test Center Reopening

GRE test centers around the world began to reopen over the summer of 2020. Click here to see if GRE test centers near you are open and accepting appointments.

However, if you’re not comfortable attending an in-person test, it’s important to note that the at-home testing option for the GRE is now permanent! In the words of ETS, the test-maker: “The GRE® General Test at home is here to stay and is now a continuing part of the GRE portfolio of products.”

Cancelation & Rescheduling

  • If you are registered for a GRE test date, check your email and GRE account online for information about your exam.
  • You can reschedule your GRE exam for free IF you reschedule via live chat, email ([email protected]), or phone (1-866-473-4373). If you reschedule by yourself online, you will incur a rescheduling fee.
  • Note that all registration for the GRE at-home test is now done through ETS. If you scheduled your at-home test before December, you had to book through ProctorU (the ETS partner), but this is no longer the case.

GRE At Home

  • Since March 23rd, students have been able to register to take the GRE General Test online, at home.
  • In December 2020, ETS announced that the GRE General Test at-home option is “here to stay.” So if you’re doing your GRE prep during COVID-19 and are worried that your test-day experience in a center will be stressful, realize that you now have other options available to you for sure!
  • As we noted above, registration for at-home GRE testing before December 2020 took place on the ProctorU website. Not anymore! Now, register for, reschedule, and otherwise plan your GRE at-home experience through your ETS account.
  • If you’re worried about your ID expiring (it’s a bit hard to get to the DMV right now, after all), ETS can also help. As of December 2020, ETS is temporarily accepting expired identification documents for at-home GRE test-takers. According to their website, “ETS is temporarily accepting government-issued IDs with expiration dates from February 1, 2020, forward. All other ID policies still apply.”

Admissions

  • Some graduate programs are waiving GRE exam requirements for 2021 applicants. Check with your specific program for updates, as this is not a widespread change.

Extra support from ETS

If you have urgent COVID-19 related questions that only ETS can answer, you can contact GRE customer service. During the crisis, that customer service page also includes a live chat option, in addition to email and phone contact information.

How Coronavirus Affects Other Admissions Tests

If you or someone you know is prepping for an exam other than the GRE, then you might find these articles helpful. They offer information about the effects of COVID-19 on other admissions tests.

TOEFL

IELTS

GMAT

LSAT

MCAT

College Admissions Exams

SAT

ACT

AP Exams

College Admissions

How else can we help with GRE Prep during COVID-19?

Let us know! Our team is here to answer your questions and provide you with the resources that you need most right now. Leave a comment below and we will get back to you. Yes, we really will.

You got this, Magooshers! Take good care of yourselves, and don’t forget to wash those hands!

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