GRE breaks and food

[Kimmo]

They do not allow food in the testing room, but is there a break area where I can store food?

I'm diabetic so I'm taking a risk by going without food for so long, especially when I cannot even keep my glucose meter in the break room. I wasn't aware that they were so strict on this until I registered, at which point it was too late to wait more than 6 weeks (their estimate) to get all the paper work submitted and approved for something so simple.

[orst11]

At most places they supply lockers for stuff you bring with you to the testing facility (cell phone, keys, etc.). You can simply store your food or if a locker isn't provided the testing administrator will be able to keep an eye on your stuff. Most places do have a small waiting room but they may have you go outside and then come back in.

[Kimmo]

At most places they supply lockers for stuff you bring with you to the testing facility (cell phone, keys, etc.). You can simply store your food or if a locker isn't provided the testing administrator will be able to keep an eye on your stuff. Most places do have a small waiting room but they may have you go outside and then come back in.

So they allow you to keep your cell phone in your locker? http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/test_day says they aren't allowed in the test center at all. Hopefully that's not enforced? because it means I'd probably be able to keep my glucose meter in my locker which would be a huge relief.

[crater21]

I believe there is a GRE accommodation policy for test-takers who are diabetic, which provides extra breaks for food or maybe allows you to take food inside the test room (I'm not 100% sure how it works). You do need to have proper documentation to qualify for it. But, if I were you, I would definitely look into it.

As for cell phones: their policy does state that cell phones are not allowed in the test center. So, just to be safe, I didn't take mine with me. But, I realized afterwards that I probably could have taken it and stored it in the locker provided. They didn't do a check of the stuff that people were putting in the lockers. But, maybe this differs at each testing center, so I can't say for sure if it is enforced or not.

[Kimmo]

I did check into it and they require paperwork sent in at least 6 weeks before testing. If I would have known ahead of time they had such inflexible policies I would have done so, but it's too late now. So it seems like I'm either going to have to sneak my medical supplies in my locker and potentially waste several hours if they notice and decide to invalidate my test or risk my health by not trying to take in medical supplies.

[crater21]

That's too bad. You do have the 10 minute break after section 3. During this break, I actually left the testing center (since the restrooms were down the hall). So, conceivably you could take your stuff from your locker, step outside in the hallway and do what you need to do. They don't follow you outside or anything. You just need to sign in and out. And, again, they didn't check what people were putting inside the locker.

But, I guess try to find out, if you can, how exactly it works at your testing center. Good luck. I hope it works out for you.

[wasistdas]

that is brutal, especially with a legit medical reason. the were very strict about what went in to the actual room with the computers (I had to take my watch off and spit my gum out), but didn't really care about what went into the lockers. I kept a coke, a water and a granola bar for the short break. I would definitely recommend using the break, just to clear your head if nothing else. I really doubt they will care about you having medical supplies/equipment, especially since it is a fairly common condition.

[Kitkat]

Yeah, when I took the test, during the 10 min break I was allowed to go get water, eat some food (as long as I went into the hall), and whatever. It falls about half way through the test. I dunno if that is enough for you? But the strictness seems to mainly be about the room you are taking in itself. Less so in the whole testing area. Once you step out into the hall, which is allowed, then whatever. Eat what you need to.

[cxxxxxx]

I have done the electronic test and you are allowed to take extra breaks but the ime doesnt stop so if you needed to eat you could klet them know and have something available just outside. I ate a banana on my break but had to be escorted to my locker and was watched when I took it out and ate it. there was someone every 10 minutes entering the room to check on myslf and another person so I think if you were feeling like you needed to eat there would be opportunities to make it known.

[TypeA]

For what it's worth, I also had the experience of "they don't care what you put in the locker, as long as it doesn't go in the room." I'm pretty sure I saw people fiddling on their cell phones in the waiting room, prior to the test (but left them in the lockers). I would be surprised if they fussed over a glucose meter. The only thing that surprised me was the sweater policy--if you want to bring a sweater/sweatshirt/extra layer (like every single prep book advises), you have to wear it into the test room and leave it on; if you want to take it off, you have to put it in your locker (potentially wasting time, if you aren't on a break).

Why don't you just give the center a call to ease your mind? They probably won't ask for any identifying information, and you can also ask if there's any way to expedite the approval process. The worst they can do is say no.

[orst11]

The testing center I had went to just requested any of the electronics I had stored in the locker were turned off, so you should be okay.