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HERE YOU'LL FIND some useful tips involving the procedural aspects of taking the GRE — specifically, for coping with GRE testing procedures and with the computerized test environment before, during, and after the timed exam sections.
Before Timed Testing Begins
DO have one acceptable form of photo identification with you. You won't be permitted to take the test unless you have one acceptable form of photo identification with you. A driver's license, passport I.D., or student I.D. will suffice. Although the official GRE Bulletin indicates that you should have two forms of photo I.D., don't worry — you'll only need one.NOTE: To help ensure that nobody else takes any part of the exam in your place, the exam supervisor will also take your photograph and thumbprint. DO consider requesting earplugs for the exam. Earplugs are available from the exam supervisor upon request. I suggest you wear earplugs. Here's why:- Testing rooms are not soundproof, and during your test you can expect to hear talking and other noise from outside the room.
- Expect the supervisor to escort other test-takers in and out of the room during your test — and to converse with them while doing so. This can be distracting!
- If the testing room is busy, expect to hear lots of mouse-clicking during your test. Because the room is otherwise fairly quiet, the incessant mouse-clicking can become annoying!
DO know the location of the nearest restroom. Be sure you find out before you start the test where the nearest restroom is located. You don't want to spend a "relaxing" 10-minute break frantically searching for someplace to drain your bladder. DO step through the computer tutorial, which precedes the timed test, as quickly as possible. Before you begin the test, the CBT will lead you through a tutorial which includes five sections (each section steps you through a series of "screens"):
.- How to use the mouse (6 screens)
- How to select and change an answer (6 screens)
- How to scroll the screen display up and down (6 screens)
- How to use the toolbars (21 screens); here you'll learn how to
- quit the test
- exit the current section
- access the directions
- confirm your response and move to the next question
You won't be able to skip any section or any screen during the tutorial. You can easily spend 15 minutes on the tutorial. But don't; it isn't worth more attention or eye strain than absolutely necessary. Scroll through it as quickly as possible, and get on to the timed test while your mind and your eyes are fresh. DON'T choose to repeat any portion of the computer tutorial. Whatever you do, DON'T choose to repeat any tutorial section. Why not? If you do, you'll be forced to step through the entire sequence of screens in that section again (an aggravating time-waster, especially for the 21-screen section).
During the Timed Test
DON'T worry about whether you'll be able to read the type on the computer screen. The typeface you'll see on your computer screen throughout the GRE is the same one you see at this Web site. The size is easily readable for nearly every test-taker. You can't change the size of the font on the screen, unless you specifically request before the exam begins that a special ZOOMTEXT function be made available to you. (If you're using a 17" monitor right now at 1024X768 dpi resolution, or a smaller laptop monitor at 800X600 dpi resolution, then the text you're reading now is probably about the same size as what you'll see on the exam.) DO take advantage of the 10-minute break, but don't exceed the 10-minute limit. The GRE clock is always running, even during the scheduled 10-minute break (after both writing tasks and the first multiple-choice section). By all means, take advantage of this break to leave the room, perhaps grab a quick snack from your locker (lockers are provided free of charge), and do some stretching or relaxing. But don't get too relaxed! Ten minutes goes by very quickly, and the test will begin after that time has elapsed — with or without you!CAUTION: If you take too long to begin a new section, the CBT automatically shuts down (after a warning), your test terminates, and no scores are tabulated or reported.
After the Last Timed Test Section
DO take a few minutes after the timed test to decide whether to cancel your scores. Immediately after the last timed section of the exam, the CBT might impose on you a brief questionnaire (a series of screens) about your test-taking experience, then ask you to choose one of two options:
.- Cancel your scores (no scores are recorded; partial cancellation is not provided for)
- See your scores immediately
Once you elect to see your scores, you can no longer cancel them — ever! So you should take a few minutes to think it over. The CBT gives you 5 minutes to choose. If you haven't decided within 5 minutes, the CBT will automatically show you your scores (and you forfeit your option to cancel).NOTE: If you click on the CANCEL SCORES button, the CBT will then give you yet another 5 minutes to think over your decision. So you really have 10 minutes altogether to make up you mind. DO know beforehand which four specific schools you wish to receive your GRE score report. Once you've elected to see your scores, the CBT system will ask you to select the schools you wish to receive your score report. The CBT system provides a complete list of schools, and you can select up to four at this time — without incurring an additional fee. NOTE: This is your first and last chance for freebie score reports, so you should take full advantage of it! Anytime later you'll have to fork over $10 to ETS for each score report. DO jot down your scores on your scratch paper before you exit the testing room. If you elect to see your scores, you should write them down on your scratch paper. When you leave the testing room, the supervisor will allow you to transcribe them onto another sheet of paper — one that you can take home with you — so that you don't have to memorize them. NOTE: After the test your exam supervisor will collect all scratch paper you took into the testing room, count the number of sheets to make sure you aren't trying to sneak out with any, then ceremoniously rip up your scratch paper and drop it in the trash basket. The liturgy by itself is well worth the price of admission!
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