What exactly happens on the actual day of the test!!??
A lot of people have asked me this question.
I’ll try and detail my exact experience of giving the GRE here. Although, your experience may differ depending upon the test centre you choose, rest assured that all the test centres are ETS vetted and you will be able to focus on the test without any issues.
Day before the test
Make sure that along with your preparations, you have planned to take the following things:
- Your official ID. Do not take any ID that is not listed on ETS’ website. The accepted IDs vary from country to country.
- A water bottle. Although, many test centres do not allow water bottles, I was told (after I got there) that transparent, plastic bottles were allowed. However, it is OK if you do not carry it with you. I did not. They have water coolers outside from where you can take a drink only during your break.
- A snack such as an energy bar to consume during your break.
- Pencils if you are giving the paper version of the GRE.
Day of the test
Your experience will be something like this:
- You will be ushered into a waiting area where other students giving the test will be present. A test centre representative will ask you to take a seat.
- The representative will provide you with a form (and a pencil) to fill-in with your details. Simple things such as your name etc. nothing too fancy.
- Eventually the representatives will give general guidelines on where to keep your belongings, snacks and guidelines for inside the testing room. Listen to them well.
- Once it is time, the representative will announce that you may now proceed to the examination room. They’ll ask if you want to drink water or go to the washroom one last time.
- Once inside the hallway leading to the examination room. A representative will perform a body scan to ensure that you are not carrying anything except your ID, water bottle and the form with you.
- The representative at the end will let you know which seat you have been given and will ask you to go inside.
- A representative inside will guide you to your seat and open up the testing system for you.
- You will have to fill-in additional information about yourself.
- This is when your actual GRE begins. You will be shown the guidelines for the first AWA. Good luck!
Other useful information:
- GRE test centres generally always have noise cancelling headphones. Mine did as well. They are good enough to drown out the noise of typing and clicking so you don’t have to worry too much.
- In case someone does start reading aloud, you can always ask the representatives to ask the other person to be quiet. (I did). Never speak to another test taker yourself.
- The representatives are available instantly at the raise of a hand. I had a very pleasant experience. Asking for extra pencils and pages will not be a problem at all.
- You do not need to remember your GRE institutional codes. Simply knowing the institution name(s), department and preferably the state (if in the USA) is enough.
Ex Libris 