the company is required to adhere to certain standards. If something odd happens during the test that you believe negatively affected your score, such as construction noises, nonworking air-conditioning, or anything else that shouldn’t be the case, register a complaint with ETS at [email protected] for a chance to have those scores canceled and for you to retake the exam, at no charge. You have seven days to register a complaint, so don’t delay.
One of my students was seated and ready to begin the GRE, only to have the test start time delayed an hour! On top of that, a lot of noise was coming from the next room — definitely an unwarranted distraction. If something like this happens to you, you can petition to have your score withheld and for the opportunity to take the GRE again at no charge.
Using Old Scores
What if you took the GRE a long time ago when you thought you were going to grad school and then opted to take a job or start a family instead? Well, if it was within the past five years, you’re in luck (assuming you scored well). GRE scores are reportable for up to five years. That means that if you’re pleased with your old score, you can send it right along to the school of your choice and say adios to this book right here and now. However, if you took the test more than five years ago, you have to take it again, so hold on to this book.
Chapter 3
Gearing Up for Exam Day
IN THIS CHAPTER
On the day of the exam, there’s no such thing as a pleasant surprise. The goal of this chapter is to help you avoid these surprises so you know exactly what to expect on exam day. This way, you can focus on the GRE in a more relaxed and confident frame of mind. Confidence comes from being prepared, and the last thing you want is to show up rushed and stressed before starting the exam.
Gathering Your Stuff the Night Before
If you take the GRE at a testing center rather than at home, give yourself one less distraction on the morning of the exam by getting all your stuff together the night before. Make sure that morning isn’t spent frantically looking for things.
Here’s what you need:
Authorization voucher from Educational Testing Service (ETS): If you pay with a method other than a credit/debit card or have a disability or require certain testing accommodations, ETS provides an authorization voucher. Not everyone gets this voucher, but if you do, be sure to bring it with you on the day of the test.
Comfortable clothes: Dress in layers. Testing centers can be warm, or more typically, cold. Sitting there for hours shivering won’t help your performance. Dress in layers so you can be comfortable regardless of how they run the A/C.
Map or directions: Know in advance where you’re going. Map your directions, and it doesn’t hurt to take a satellite view so you can see where to park. You could drive to the testing center a few days before to check out the drive time, parking, fees, and so on. If you’re taking public transportation, find out where and when you need to board the bus or train, how long the ride is, how much it costs, and where you get off.One student had to take the test at a center in the middle of a downtown area. She had checked out the area on a Saturday, when the streets were empty and parking was clear. But her exam was Monday morning, when the streets were jammed and the parking was taken. Naturally, she wasn’t expecting this, and it affected her performance. Think about whether there will be traffic and note a few options for parking. Another option is ridesharing, such as Uber or Lyft. Be sure to set the ride time to the morning of the exam. It doesn’t hurt to plan on being there 30 minutes early, so if your driver is late or doesn’t know the roads, you have a time cushion.
Photo ID: You must have identification with three key elements:A recognizable photoThe name you registered for the test underYour signatureUsually, a driver’s license, passport, employee ID, or military ID does the trick. A student ID alone isn’t enough (although it works as a second form of ID in case something’s unclear on your first one). Note that a Social Security card or a credit card isn’t acceptable identification.
Water and a snack: Bring a bottle of water and a light snack, such as an energy bar or a granola bar. If you’re like me, you’ll have a to-go coffee cup. Avoid snacks high in sugar, simple carbohydrates, or fats. Leave your snacks in your locker and have them during your break.
If you’re wondering whether you need to bring scratch paper, pencils, a calculator, or anything like that, proceed to the next section.
Knowing What Not to Bring
Just as important as knowing what to bring to the testing center is knowing what not to bring. Leave these items at home, in your car, or on the Uber:
Books and notes: Forget about last-minute studying. You aren’t allowed to take books or notes into the testing center. Besides, if you don’t know the material by that time, cramming won’t help. (One of my students was almost booted from his exam because during the break, he picked up his test-prep book that was in his testing center locker. Fortunately, he didn’t open the book, so he was allowed to finish the exam.)
Calculator: You aren’t allowed to use your own calculator, but an on-screen calculator is available during the math sections of the exam. One nice thing about the on-screen calculator is that it features a button that transfers the number from the calculator field to the answer space. Your handheld calculator won’t do that.
Friends for support: Meet them after the exam. However, having a friend drop you off and pick you up isn’t a bad idea, especially if parking is likely to be a problem, such as at a downtown testing center.
Phones and other electronics: Mobile electronic devices, including phones, are strictly prohibited. You can bring these items to the testing center, but they stay in a locker while you’re taking the GRE. And because you can’t use these devices during the test, don’t use them while taking practice tests.
Scratch paper: You aren’t allowed to bring in your own scratch paper; the testing center provides it for you. If you run low during the test, request more from the proctor during the one-minute breaks between sections. Although you have plenty of room to do calculations and scribbling, your scratch paper stays at the testing center when you’re done.
The testing center provides lockers for test-takers to store their belongings, so if you bring a purse or backpack,