What exactly happens at a GRE testing site?

[Strangefox]

Hi!

I have several questions about GRE:

1 - REGISTRATION: They write not to come less then half an hour before the start of the test. Should I come one hour in advance? How does the on-site registration happen? I need to have my ID with me (with the exact name that I used registering on-line, photo and signature) + some printed out confirmation, right? Then I will have to fill in some form, as far as I know. I guess it will be about not telling anyone about questions from the exam. When do they let you into the room where the test takes place? Do they give you some instructions before you start?

2 - BREAK: Ok, there is this one 10-minute break between analytical writing and everyting else and I guess I will want to use it Do I need to raise my hand and call whoever is in charge in the room in order to go out? Or can I - as soon as I see this inscription on the screen telling me that now I may have a break or procede - just get up and go out of the room all by myself? I read that I need to show my ID document each time I leave or enter the testing room. Is it so?

3 - YOUR STUFF: I also read that examinees have to leave their bags in a special place at the testing site and that you should not leave any valuable things there. Is it true? So I should not bring my cell phone, for instrance? (That is not very convenient...)

Thanks!

[barilicious]

Hi!

I have several questions about GRE:

1 - REGISTRATION: They write not to come less then half an hour before the start of the test. Should I come one hour in advance? How does the on-site registration happen? I need to have my ID with me (with the exact name that I used registering on-line, photo and signature) + some printed out confirmation, right? Then I will have to fill in some form, as far as I know. I guess it will be about not telling anyone about questions from the exam. When do they let you into the room where the test takes place? Do they give you some instructions before you start?

2 - BREAK: Ok, there is this one 10-minute break between analytical writing and everyting else and I guess I will want to use it Do I need to raise my hand and call whoever is in charge in the room in order to go out? Or can I - as soon as I see this inscription on the screen telling me that now I may have a break or procede - just get up and go out of the room all by myself? I read that I need to show my ID document each time I leave or enter the testing room. Is it so?

3 - YOUR STUFF: I also read that examinees have to leave their bags in a special place at the testing site and that you should not leave any valuable things there. Is it true? So I should not bring my cell phone, for instrance? (That is not very convenient...)

Thanks!

I just took the test this past Monday, and while I'm sure every test center has its own idiosyncrasies, I'm sure overall they have the general same standards. To answer your questions from my own experience:

1. I took my test in the morning (8AM), so was set to arrive at 730AM. I got there around 720 and had to wait in my car because the test center did not open until 730. The test center was pretty crowded, but my center was pretty efficient in handling everyone, so arriving 30 mins early is plenty of time (I started taking my test around 750AM). All you need is your ID - no paper confirmation (unless I think you opted to bring an electronic ticket or something). I showed my ID, they checked me off, then I had to read over a bunch of forms and fill out this paragraph and sign. After this, I was put into another line to enter the computer lab of the testing center. Each person waited to enter, where they checked you off again, signed a sign in sheet, took my picture, verbally explained the test and experimental section to me, then took me to my PC to begin.

2. At my testing center, when I got to the 10 minute break, I just stood up and left the computer lab. I then had to sign out, used the restroom, then had to sign back in and show my ID to re-enter to go back to my PC and begin the next sections.

3. From my understanding every testing center provides lockers. When I signed in, they gave me a key with a locker number that EVERYTHING had to be put in except your ID.

Hope this answers your questions

[scyrus]

Hi!

I have several questions about GRE:

1 - REGISTRATION: They write not to come less then half an hour before the start of the test. Should I come one hour in advance? How does the on-site registration happen? I need to have my ID with me (with the exact name that I used registering on-line, photo and signature) + some printed out confirmation, right? Then I will have to fill in some form, as far as I know. I guess it will be about not telling anyone about questions from the exam. When do they let you into the room where the test takes place? Do they give you some instructions before you start?

2 - BREAK: Ok, there is this one 10-minute break between analytical writing and everyting else and I guess I will want to use it Do I need to raise my hand and call whoever is in charge in the room in order to go out? Or can I - as soon as I see this inscription on the screen telling me that now I may have a break or procede - just get up and go out of the room all by myself? I read that I need to show my ID document each time I leave or enter the testing room. Is it so?

3 - YOUR STUFF: I also read that examinees have to leave their bags in a special place at the testing site and that you should not leave any valuable things there. Is it true? So I should not bring my cell phone, for instrance? (That is not very convenient...)

Thanks!

1. You will need ID (Driver's license) and your confirmation sheet/number. You will also need to fill out a disclaimer. On the disclaimer sheet, you will have to rewrite (in cursive) a paragraph they have in print about how you will not supply anyone with information about the test, etc. and then you will have to sign it. All in all, you should only need ~10 minutes. When I took the GRE, I got there thirty minutes before my appointment and they actually let me start the test twenty minutes before my scheduled time.

2. In the test center where I took the test, I simply walked out of the room and had to sign myself out. When I came back in, I had to sign back in. This was the case even if I wanted to take a break when there wasn't an "on-screen" break, such as when I had spare time left over on my 45 minute essay and stepped out to get some water. And yes, you need to show ID everytime you reenter so that they can be sure it's not your evil twin trying to take the test for you.

3. I had to leave my stuff in a locker, so leaving my cell phone there was fine. But yes, they do not allow you to bring anything into the room except for your ID. Not even chap stick.

[Strangefox]

Thanks!

A locker would be good

[Strangefox]

I got there thirty minutes before my appointment and they actually let me start the test twenty minutes before my scheduled time.

Does it mean that everybody else started at the same time as you did? Or there were examinees who were ushered into the testing room while you were already working on your AW task?

[barilicious]

Does it mean that everybody else started at the same time as you did? Or there were examinees who were ushered into the testing room while you were already working on your AW task?

Everyone entered the computer lab at different times. Some people were already testing when I went in (I was like 5th in line), and many other people were brought in to the computer lab while I was testing. Most people were not taking the GREs though - just one other person and me out of like 40 different people.

[Strangefox]

Everyone entered the computer lab at different times. Some people were already testing when I went in (I was like 5th in line), and many other people were brought in to the computer lab while I was testing. Most people were not taking the GREs though - just one other person and me out of like 40 different people.

And what tests were other people taking?

So they gave you all instructions outside the lab and then they let you go inside and start the test? Did they go with you to a computer and pressed some button to make the test begin?

It's very much different from what I expected. I thought everybody starts the test simulteneously...

Edited July 18, 2010 by Strangefox

[barilicious]

And what tests were other people taking?

So they gave you all instructions outside the lab and then they let you go inside and start the test? Did they go with you to a computer and pressed some button to make the test begin?

It's very much different from what I expected. I thought everybody starts the test simulteneously...

I have no idea what other test people were taking. Praxis? Some people were in medical scrubs, so MCAT? You aren't really suppose to talk, so I didn't ask anyone.

Yes, the lady would individually take your picture, explain whatever test you were taking, then walk you to your computer station. It was very different than how I imagined it as well. But if everyone started the test at the same time (and were all taking the GREs), then you all have your break at the same time, which would make it complicated getting you all back in the computer lab within the 10 minute allotted break time - so I guess it is for the better.

[Strangefox]

But if everyone started the test at the same time (and were all taking the GREs), then you all have your break at the same time, which would make it complicated getting you all back in the computer lab within the 10 minute allotted break time - so I guess it is for the better.

I guess you are right!

Thank you very much for your explanations!!!