What Should I Carry for the GRE Exam: Everything You Need To Know

What Should I carry for the GRE Exam: The anticipation, nervousness, and anxiety before any test or exam are valid. How about you mitigate it as far as possible by keeping track of your GRE test day checklist? You’re well prepared and ready to answer the examination. You’ve worked hard and are prepared to ace it and make the results yours. But what should you remember to take to the hall and what should you forget, or leave back?

This article will take you through the last-minute preparation before you sit for your GRE test day: what to bring. Read along till the end to gain clarity and confidence about what you should bring, especially if you’re worried about the GRE and what to bring on test day problems.

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What Should I Carry for the GRE Exam: Documents to Carry on GRE Test Day

As you must be aware, there are multiple types of GRE tests, and the exact items to be taken differ from setting to setting. However, we will introduce you to the most basic of it all to equip you with a rough idea.

Valid ID Proof

Bring a government-issued, non-expired photo ID, such as a passport. The ID documents must be original and bear your real name and surname as on the GRE form.

Test Confirmation

Carry a printed or electronic copy of your GRE test confirmation, which includes your test date, location, and other important details. Make sure to take a note of the contact information provided by the test center in case you need to reach out to them for any reason.

Food & Water

While you may not be allowed to take these inside the test center, having these handy are pretty important. The GRE is approximately five hours long, and you will need supplements to keep fuelling your brain. Take nuts, bananas, and other nutritious foods to keep you hydrated and well-fed during the paper. You can have these in the scheduled breaks that you get.

Prescription Medication

If you take prescription medication, bring it with you in its original container. Ensure you comply with any test centre rules regarding medications during the exam.

Watch

A wristwatch can help keep track of time during the test, as some test centres may not have visible clocks. Ensure it does not have any audible alarms or smart features.

It's crucial to review the specific guidelines and policies provided by the test centre where you will be taking the GRE. Adhering to their instructions will ensure a smooth test day experience.

Know more: GRE Exam Reschedule: Subject Test Wise Rescheduling, Cancel Steps and more 

What Should I carry for the GRE Exam: What to bring for the GRE Home test?

While planning to give a GRE home test, test-takers must follow the policies and procedures. Any violation of the security process during the test or a break may result in removal from the test and cancellation of your test scores. The following GRE home test day checklist includes:

1. Usage of Desktop or Laptop

To give the GRE, it is important to be online using your desktop or laptop; mobile phones or tablets are strictly prohibited. Ensure the browser you will be using should be either Firefox or chrome.

2. Camera

During your GRE, the camera can be in-built or external; the test-take must be able to move the camera to display a 360- view of the room.

3. Workspace should be Clear

Before giving your final GRE, ensure the workspace is clear of items not allowed during the test. Ensure to be seated on a standard chair.

4. Microphone & Speakers

Individuals who are taking GRE are only permitted to use only internal or external mic and speakers. Using headphones or any other thing is not permitted.

5. Clothing Accessories

Ensure to wear decent clothes which do not have any extra accessories to wear like a hat or stoles anything specific thing which covers your ears.

What Should I carry for the GRE Exam: What to not take to the GRE test hall?

There are also some regulations on what you should not bring to the GRE test hall. Let us go through those as well:

1. Jewellery other than wedding or engagement rings
2. Weapons or firearms
3. Tobacco or cigarettes
4. Bits of paper, electronic gadgets, calculator
5. Money
6. Unnecessary clothing items like bows, ties, scarves, barrettes, hairbands, etc.
7. Watches,

In short, don’t carry anything extra that you don’t necessarily have to. Avoid suspicion and delays, focus on your well-being, and complete the test in time.

What Should You Carry for the GRE Exam: Documents Not Accepted as ID Proof for GRE Registration

You must remember that several documents are unacceptable for the GRE. When taking the GRE, the following documents are considered invalid. 

• An expired identity card (unless the government has issued an extension letter). 
• Photocopy of identity proof.
• A photo of candidates' identification that they show on their phone or other smart devices.
• Any ID that does not match the candidates' first and last names entered when they registered for the exam (excluding accents).
• International driver's license.
• Draft classification card.
• International student identification.
• A credit or debit card.
• Letter or document prepared by a notary.
• Certificate of Birth.
• Social security card.
• Employee identification card. 
• Temporary identification (excluding renewals of a driver's license, residence card, or employment authorization card).
• An identification card from a diplomatic mission, consulate, or embassy. 
• Any document that a government agency does not accept. 

Know more: GRE exam structure

What Should I carry for the GRE Exam: What If the Candidate Cannot Meet the ID Requirement for the GRE?

You must inform the ETS Office of Testing Integrity (OTI) at least seven days before enrolling in the test if you are given political asylum, have refugee status, or are otherwise unable to meet the identification requirements. Before you register, you must first get approval from the OTI.

You should be ready to provide any additional documents to the OTI for review.

You will not get a refund on your GRE test fees if you do not inform the OTI before registering, and as a result, you will not be permitted to take the test, or your test scores will be withheld.

Disability Documentation

You must determine and confirm beforehand if the disability documentation is needed. Here are the important guidelines for disability documentation.

• The diagnosis should be typed or printed on the letterhead. It must also be signed by a qualified evaluator whose license and area of specialization information must be provided. 
• The diagnosed disability must be clearly stated in the documentation on file for the applicant. 
• The functional limitations resulting from the disability must be categorically stated. 
• The disability documents must be current: 
  • Last five years for learning disabilities (LD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or intellectual disability (ID).
  • Last 12 months for psychiatric disabilities and brain injuries.
• The requirement does not apply to disabilities that are permanent in nature. 
• Add educational, developmental, and medical history relevant to the disability. 
• Include a list of test instruments that were used in the evaluation report and relevant subtest scores used to document the stated disability. 
• Discuss in detail the accommodations requested.
• Support the requested testing accommodation(s).

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Accommodations in GRE for Candidates with Disabilities

Below are the accommodations offered for candidates with disabilities or health-related needs who meet the ETS requirements.

• They are offered a 50%-time extension.
• They are allowed an unlimited time to furnish any additional documents.
  The time allotted for testing does not include the breaks.
  They are given an Ergonomic keyboard, an IntelliKeys® keyboard, JAWS with or without a refreshable braille device, a touchpad, screen magnification, and a trackball in the GRE General Test.
• If necessary, they are also given a reader or scriber for assistance.
• They are also given support with spoken directions.
• If they require a Braille slate or a Perkins brailler, they will be provided too.
• Differently-abled candidates are given alternate test formats if the standard test format is not understandable to them.