At Home Testing

The GRE^? General Test at home is a safe and convenient option for test takers who prefer to take their test at home rather than at a test center. It's offered everywhere that the test is normally available, based on the country of your account address, except Iran.

The at home test is identical to a test taken at a test center and is taken on your own computer at home or another secure location. All at home tests are monitored by a human proctor online through ProctorU^?. At home testing is available around the clock, seven days a week.

Here's How It Works

Equipment and Environment Requirements

To take a test at home, you must meet the requirements outlined below. If your computer and testing room don't meet the requirements, you won't be able to test and you won't receive a refund or a free reschedule.

Equipment Requirements

Computer

• Desktop or laptop computer; you cannot use a tablet, Chromebook? or mobile device.
• Approved operating system, which must be licensed. Unlicensed or test-mode versions are not permitted.
  • PC: Windows^? operating system, versions 10 or 8.
  • MAC^?: Mac OS X^? 10.5 or higher (10.13 High Sierra is recommended).
• Chrome? or Firefox^? browser.
• Multiple monitors or dual screens are not permitted.

Browser Download and Equipment Check

• Download and install the ETS Secure Test Browser on the computer you will use for the test. To fully install the browser, run the file after downloading it. Close the browser once you see the following message: "Success! You have installed the ETS secure test browser."
  • Download the Windows version. If you receive an error message, please follow these troubleshooting steps.
  • Download the Mac version.
• Run the ProctorU Equipment Check from the computer you will use for the test. If you fail the equipment check, you must fix any issues before test day. Live ProctorU representatives are available to help.
• Computer firewalls and security applications can interfere with the test delivery software. If you experience this issue, you may need to disable or reconfigure your applications prior to the test.

Speaker

• Use an internal or external speaker to hear the proctor
• Headsets or earphones are not allowed

Microphone

• Use an internal or external microphone that is not part of a headset to communicate with the proctor

Camera

• Can be a built-in camera in the computer or a separate webcam
• Camera must be able to be moved to show a 360-degree view of the room, including your tabletop surface, before the test

Environment and Testing Space Requirements

Privacy

• You must be alone in a room with no one else entering during the test.
• You cannot take the test in a public space such as a park, internet cafe or restaurant.
• You must close all doors in the room before beginning the test.

Tabletop and Seating

• Your computer and keyboard must be on a desk or other tabletop surface.
• Position your table and chair so the door to the room will be visible to the proctor. The proctor may require you to do this at check in.
• The tabletop and surrounding area must be clear of all items not approved for use during the test, including cell phones (except when used for check in), cameras, notes and study materials. The furniture and décor in the room do not need to be removed.
• You must sit in a standard chair; you may not sit or lie on a bed, couch or overstuffed chair.
• Food and drink are not allowed during the test.

Clothing and Appearance

• Your ears must remain visible throughout the test, not covered by hair, a hat or other items. Religious headwear is permitted if your ears remain visible during the test.
• Face masks may not be worn during check in or any part of the at home testing session.
• You must be dressed appropriately for your test. You will be monitored via camera by the proctor, and your photo will be shared with institutions that receive your scores.
• Avoid wearing such items as jewelry, tie clips, cuff links, ornate clips, combs, barrettes, headbands and other hair accessories.

Note-taking Materials

• You may not take notes on regular paper, for security purposes.
• You may use one of the following:
  • One small desktop white board with erasable marker
  • One sheet of paper inside a transparent sheet protector, with an erasable marker. Pencils and pens are not permitted.
• At the end of the test, you will need to show the proctor that all notes have been erased.