Tips For Taking The At-Home GRE

Tips For Taking The At-Home GRE

Back in April, at-home testing for the GRE expanded worldwide.

It was a big move by the Educational Testing Service. And experts praised the decision.

“Obviously this is huge,” Linda Abraham, founder of Accepted, a leading MBA admissions consulting firm, tells P&Q. “For internationals, while they have the option of taking the GRE now, the almost global availability will have greater impact outside the U.S. for Round 1 of next year.  Difficulty in acquiring a visa may hamper international applicants efforts to join the MBA class of 2022 even with all the new deadlines.  We can hope that visa processing will resume and borders will open for the Class of 2023.”

Business Insider recently spoke to testing experts and instructors to see what test-takers need to know to excel at the online GRE.

HUMAN PROCTOR

One of the components of the online GRE is the human proctor who, according to ETS, monitors test takers and their computer screen to ensure they’re following all testing procedures.

This may seem strange to test-takers. However, experts say, the more test-takers do to familiarize themselves with the experience, the better.

“The restrictions for testing online with a live proctor are demanding,” David D. Schein, associate dean, professor, and director of graduate programs at the Cameron School of Business at the University of St. Thomas, tells Business Insider. “Candidates should become very familiar with the rules and procedures for the online GRE as soon as possible.”

EQUIPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT

Experts say test-takers should ensure that they have the right software, hardware, and environment in order to take the at-home GRE.

ETS has provided a list of equipment requirements for the test, which includes installing the ETS Test Browser.

Pierre Huguet, CEO and co-founder of the college consulting firm H&C Education, says students should read the fine print on the checklist and pay close attention to details such as the requirement that asks students to provide a 360-degree camera view of the room and desk prior to taking the exam.

“This means that if you work at a desktop computer with a built-in camera, you probably won’t be able to show a 360-degree view of the room without either breaking your back or unplugging your computer,” Huguet tells Business Insider.

CONSIDER IF NOW IS THE TIME

Experts suggest committing at least 100 hours to exam prep.

With the COVID-19 pandemic closing up campuses and offices, now may be the ideal time to hunker down and study for the GRE

“Learners have space to take and score full practice tests to establish a baseline, as well as a diagnostic to take deep dives into areas of concern,” Educator and educational consultant Karin McKie, who tutors for the GRE/GMAT and other standardized tests, tells Business Insider “Now we have the time and space to relieve boredom with targeted study.”

Read the rest of the tips here.

Sources: Business Insider, Poets & Quants, ETS

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