What to Expect on GRE Test Day

A brief, familiar warm-up can help test takers ease into GRE problem-solving before leaving for the test center. The day before the exam, select about five moderate math questions that have already been solved successfully.

On test morning, work through those questions to practice basic calculations and recognize familiar problem types. The goal is to get comfortable thinking through questions, not to learn new material or attempt the hardest problems.

Test takers should try this routine before a practice test first. If it feels helpful, it can become part of the test-day routine. Study materials should be put away before check-in.

Test takers should arrive at least 30 minutes before their scheduled appointment. Planning extra travel time can help account for traffic, parking, and finding the entrance. Check-in includes identity verification, storing personal belongings, and security screening, so arriving early also leaves time to settle in before testing begins.

Test takers must bring valid identification that meets ETS requirements for their citizenship and testing location. The first and last names on the ID must match the registration, excluding accents. Registering under a nickname can prevent admission. In general, acceptable identification must be an original, unexpired government-issued document with a recognizable photograph and signature. Any questions about acceptable documents or name discrepancies should be resolved with ETS before test day.

Test-center staff will explain where personal belongings must be stored and which items are permitted in the testing room.

Phones must be switched off and stored as directed by test-center staff. Test takers cannot access phones or study materials during the test or an unscheduled break. Books, notes, and flashcards should stay outside the testing room. Following these rules helps avoid dismissal or score cancellation.

Before starting, test takers can ask staff:

• Where is the restroom?
• How should a technical problem or distracting noise be reported?
• What is the procedure for requesting an unscheduled break?
• How can additional scratch paper or a replacement pencil be requested?

The GRE General Test has no scheduled breaks. During an unscheduled break at a test center, the testing clock continues to run.

The test center supplies scratch paper. Once all supplied paper has been used, test takers must return it to staff to receive more. Raising a hand alerts the administrator when assistance is needed.

You’ll write out a statement saying you are who you say you are. Be prepared to feel like you’re going through airport security. The test makers really value security, but it can also throw you off your game if you’re not prepared for it. If you go in expecting this, then it will be easier to stay focused.

Preparing for these procedures can make the testing environment feel less unfamiliar. Test takers should follow staff instructions and ask for clarification whenever a step is unclear. Treating check-in as part of the test-day routine can help keep attention on the exam ahead.

You’ll be asked to sign in and out of the testing room, and the proctor will take your picture to verify that the same person leaves and comes back from breaks. Again, this is just par for the course of taking the GRE, not a comment on how trustworthy your face looks.

A test administrator will assign a workstation. Before starting, test takers should settle into the chair and report any equipment concerns.

Other people in the room may be taking different exams or following different schedules. Some movement and occasional noise are normal as people enter and leave. Keeping attention on the screen and written work can help minimize distractions. If a disruption interferes with testing, test takers should raise a hand to notify the administrator.

The tutorial is a program that walks you through how to use a computer. Even though the fact that you navigated to this blog probably means that you have all the computer skills you need to take the GRE, always do the tutorial. Use this time to get settled in and to acclimate yourself to your surroundings. You will also feel incredibly smart as the computer teaches you how to use the spacebar and how to copy/paste.

(if you’re sending them the day of the exam.) Pick four schools to receive your scores.These are free to you now, but they’re not free if you choose them after the test is over.You don’t need to remember any codes, as the GRE will allow you to search for schools by name. Remember that you now have the option of using Score Select to send your scores later or to choose which set of scores to send if you’ve taken the GRE more than once, but it will cost you.

Once testing begins, test takers should rely on the pacing and problem-solving strategies practiced during preparation. Test day is the time to use familiar approaches rather than experiment with new ones.

A challenging question does not mean the entire test is going poorly. Maintaining a steady pace and focusing on the question at hand can help test takers stay engaged throughout the exam.