Test Day Questions

[hippyscientist]

I'm taking the GRE next week and am starting to think about test day itself. I'm staying in a hotel the night before within walking distance of the test centre, so I'm hoping that will keep me calm (the test centre is a 6 hr drive otherwise, and a 8.30am test time doesn't make that okay). 

 

What should I expect on the day of the test? Does everyone start at the same time? Are there big queues for toilets? I'm planning on taking my drivers license and passport for ID, I'm assuming there's a safe place to leave stuff? 

 

I've googled and it seems test centres seem pretty strict - is this universal? What are the international test centres like?

 

Wow, sorry didn't realise I had so many questions. Basically, what are people's experience of test day?

[PizzaCat93]

I cannot speak for international test centers, so YMMV, but I assume it is fairly similar since the security procedures are mandated by ETS. 

 

At the test center, there are usually lots of people taking all different sorts of tests. You should arrive at least 30 minutes early, and you will check in and be given a locker to put all your belongings (except your ID). After this, I was taken back and went through all the security measures (metal detector, photograph, etc.). Then, they assigned me a computer and let me begin the test early. Basically, you begin the test in order of arrival. This is good because 1) you will probably get to start early and 2) everyone will have breaks at different times, so no bathroom lines. And, you do have to go through all the security procedures when you return from breaks, so make sure to leave enough time for that. 

[mockturtle]

It may come down somewhat to the individual people running your test center, but my experience was perfectly pleasant! Check-in took 15 minutes tops, so I started early. They had lockers for bags, and the only things I was allowed to bring into the test room were: my driver's license, the key to my locker, their official scratch paper, and a bunch of unwrapped cough drops on a tissue (of all the times for a cold to strike....)

 

People were entering and leaving individually, and there were never any lines for bathrooms, but there were short lines for the check-in/check-out desk. The security process isn't super long, but it's definitely not something you'll want to go through when your test time is ticking, so be sure to make good use of your pre-test time, and your break. I ended up going over my 10 minute break time because I was waiting in line for the check-in desk, but someone was actually able to go in and stop my computer's timer. I'm assuming that's allowed 

 

Honestly, the worst part was the cursive writing!!

[Brent@GreenlightGRE]

Here's a link to Test Center Procedures and Regulations that may help: http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/test_day/

 

Cheers,

Brent - Greenlight Test Prep