GRE At-Home vs Test Center: Which Should You Choose?

The GRE has evolved, and so have your options for taking it. You can sit for the shorter, sub‑2‑hour GRE either at home or at a test center. Both deliver the same exam content and scoring, but the experience—from equipment and environment to scheduling and stress—is different. This guide walks you through what’s identical, where the modalities diverge, and how to choose the one that fits you best.

• Same test and scoring: One Analytical Writing task (Analyze an Issue), two Verbal sections, and two Quant sections, with the same 130–170 scales for Verbal and Quant and 0–6 for AWA.
• Shorter running time: About 1 hour 58 minutes from start to finish, with no scheduled break.
• Score timing: You’ll see unofficial Verbal and Quant scores at the end of your exam; official scores post to your ETS account roughly 8–10 days after test day.
• Score sending on test day: You can send scores to up to four recipients for free and use ScoreSelect to choose which test administration(s) to report.

• Maximum scheduling flexibility: Appointments are available day and night, seven days a week—great if you need a specific time or are on a tight application timeline.
• Comfort and control: If you can guarantee a quiet, private room, you’ll avoid commuting, unfamiliar testing rooms, and temperature issues.
• Performance routine: Testing in your own chair and lighting can reduce nerves and help you hit a familiar pre‑test routine.

• Equipment and software: Desktop or laptop that meets ETS specs, ETS Secure Browser, and a functioning mic and speaker. Headsets/earbuds are not allowed.
• Room setup: You must be alone in an enclosed room with the door visible to the proctor; blinds/curtains closed; clean desktop; standard chair; no food or drink.
• Note‑taking: Regular paper is not allowed. Use one small whiteboard with an erasable marker, or one sheet of paper inside a transparent sheet protector with an erasable marker. You must erase notes in view of the proctor at the end.
• Second camera now required: Effective January 5, 2026, you need a smartphone or tablet as a second camera. You’ll scan a QR code from your computer to connect it, then position the device to show a stable side‑angle view of your workspace, keyboard, hands, and profile for continuous monitoring.
• Connectivity risk: You’re responsible for a stable internet connection. If your connection drops or your device misbehaves, your timer may keep running and your exam could be paused or ended depending on what the proctor can reopen.

Pick at home if you reliably control noise and interruptions, are comfortable with simple tech setup, prefer late‑evening or early‑morning slots, and like testing in your own space. It’s also a strong option if commuting increases your anxiety or if local test‑center seats are scarce for your target dates.

• Fewer technical worries: Commercial‑grade internet and power, managed hardware, and staff on site reduce the odds of tech disruption.
• Scratch paper and pencils: You’ll be provided scratch paper on demand and must return it afterward. Many test‑takers find real paper more natural than a mini‑whiteboard.
• Structured, distraction‑controlled environment: Proctors, cameras, and testing partitions can help you focus.
• Accommodations and logistics: If you are approved for accommodations that involve equipment, extra or extended breaks, or a particular setup, a test center may better support them.

• Less flexible scheduling: You’re limited to the center’s posted appointment times, and prime slots can book out weeks ahead.
• Commute and check‑in: Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early for ID verification and security checks. Personal items, including phones and watches, stay in lockers.
• Comfort variables: You can’t control temperature, noise from other test‑takers, or seating. Masks are allowed if you prefer, but policies follow local guidance.

At home: 360‑degree room scan, continuous video of you and your screen, plus the required second camera from January 5, 2026. Ears must remain visible; no face mask; no one may enter the room; no unscheduled breaks. Test‑day behaviors like talking to yourself, looking off‑screen, or moving out of frame can trigger warnings or dismissal. At a test center: ID checks, photos, and other security steps are standard. You’ll be monitored by staff and cameras. No personal items in the room. Unscheduled breaks, if you take them, don’t stop your test clock.

• Plan backward from deadlines: Official scores typically appear 8–10 days after your test. Add a cushion if you might retest.
• Retake policy: You can take the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times in any rolling 12‑month period.
• Rescheduling: Changing your appointment usually incurs a fee (about $55 in most locations) and must be done at least four full days before your test date.
• Canceling: If you cancel at least four full days before your appointment, you typically receive a 50% refund of the test fee; after that, no refund. Policies can vary slightly by country, so always check your ETS account before you act.

Choose at home if most of the following sound like you:

• You can ensure a truly private, quiet room for two hours.
• Your internet is stable, and you’re comfortable setting up the second camera.
• You prefer flexible start times or off‑peak hours.
• You practice comfortably with a whiteboard and erasable marker. Choose a test center if most of these fit:
• You’d rather someone else handle the tech and proctoring setup.
• You strongly prefer pencil‑and‑paper scratch work.
• You want the structure of a formal testing room and on‑site staff.
• You’re approved for accommodations better supported in person.

If you’re taking the at‑home GRE:

• Practice all timed sets using a mini‑whiteboard or sheet‑protector setup, not paper.
• Rehearse your test‑day tech: run the ETS equipment check at the same time of day as your appointment; test Wi‑Fi in your chosen room; set your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” and keep it plugged in for the second camera.
• Do a full dress rehearsal: door visible, blinds closed, clear desk, no headset, standard chair. If you’re taking the test‑center GRE:
• Practice with legal‑size scratch paper and pencils to match the feel of test day.
• Time a commute to the center, aim to arrive 30 minutes early, and plan for locker storage.
• Layer your clothing to handle room temperature swings.

Exambank is an AI‑powered GRE study platform that learns how you perform and builds a tailored path from your first diagnostic onward. It’s especially helpful when you’re deciding between at‑home and test‑center testing because you can mirror the conditions you’ll face:

• Use Learn → Solve Together → Test Yourself to target weak skills fast, then switch to mixed, adaptive practice that matches your level.
• For at home, train with whiteboard‑only note‑taking and strict camera‑friendly posture; for test center, use longer scratch‑work walkthroughs.
• Let Exambank’s analytics show your accuracy by topic, time usage, and predicted score trajectory so you can choose a test date—and modality—with confidence.

At‑home timeline: Day 14–10: Lock your room choice; run equipment checks on different days/times; acquire whiteboard/marker; set up a stable stand for your phone/tablet. Day 9–5: Do two full, timed practice blocks at your exact test time; practice scanning the QR code and placing the second camera; refine lighting and chair height. Day 4–1: Clear your desk; post a “Do Not Disturb” sign; confirm ID; schedule backup internet if needed (hotspot/ethernet); sleep routine set. Test day: Disable auto‑launch apps; plug in your phone; close door and blinds; perform the room scan calmly. Test‑center timeline: Day 14–10: Confirm the route, parking, and building entrance; check ID name match; assemble acceptable ID. Day 9–5: Full timed practice using scratch paper; test earplugs if permitted by the center; choose clothing layers. Day 4–1: Print directions; plan arrival 30 minutes early; pack ID only; confirm locker policy; sleep routine set. Test day: Arrive early, store items, breathe, and follow staff guidance.

• Do you have a quiet, private room you can control for two hours? If yes, at home is viable.
• Do you prefer real paper for math and diagramming? If yes, lean test center.
• Are you comfortable setting up and monitoring a second camera for the entire session? If not, consider the test center.
• Is your timeline tight or nontraditional (very early/late)? At home offers more appointment flexibility.
• Do you have reliable internet and power—or an easy backup plan? If unsure, a test center reduces risk.
• Have you rehearsed the exact rules of your modality so nothing surprises you on test day? If not, schedule a dress rehearsal now.

Both formats can lead to the score you want. Choose the environment that minimizes your risk, maximizes your focus, and fits your schedule. Then train in those conditions until they feel routine—your future self will thank you.