Checked against official ETS sources on 29 July 2026

GRE General Test at Home Guide

GRE at Home is the same General Test as the center version. You take it on your own computer with a live remote proctor. This page covers the shorter format (since September 2023), official practice samples, 2026 camera and ID rules, fees, accommodations, ScoreSelect, and test day.

~1h 58mTotal testing time: Issue + Verbal + Quant (no unscored section)

18 + 23 minVerbal: 12 then 15 questions (not two 27-minute sections)

21 + 26 minQuant: 12 then 15 questions (not two 23-minute sections)

US$220 → $249Base fee in most areas now → US$249 for registrations from 1 Aug 2026; online fee/tax can add

Test format

Since 22 September 2023 the GRE General Test is about 1 hour 58 minutes and five scored sections. Analytical Writing always comes first. Verbal and Quant each have two section-level adaptive sections; their order after Writing can swap. The standard at-home administration has no break; only an ETS-approved accommodation can alter that rule.

Analytical Writing format

0-6 · half-point increments · holistic + ETS e-rater

Time30 minutes

Items1 Issue task

PaceFixed 30-minute timer

Read an opinion and its specific instructions. Take a position, consider the issue's complexities, and support your view with reasons and examples. The basic word processor can insert, delete, cut-and-paste, and undo; it has no spellchecker or grammar checker. Prompts come from the published ETS Issue topic pool. Analyze an Argument is no longer on the General Test.

The best way to teach is to praise positive actions and ignore negative ones. Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the statement and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider ways in which the statement might or might not hold true and explain how these considerations shape your position.

0 wordsTarget: about 400 words

30:00

Best practices

Follow the task instructions exactly. Graders score how well you answer the assigned framing.
Practice from the public Issue pool under a hard 30-minute clock with spellcheck off.
ETS publishes no required or target word count; plan, write, and reserve a few minutes to check obvious errors.

Checklist0%

Before you register

Check program rules, target scores, and deadlines before you pay. ETS treats at-home and test-center GRE scores the same. Schools still set their own cutoffs and reporting rules.

1. Acceptance

Check each program, not "the GRE" in general

ETS markets the GRE for graduate, business, and law admissions. Each school still decides required, optional, or waived. Read the program page, and note any rule that you must report all GRE attempts.

2. Score target

Know Verbal, Quant, and AW floors

Verbal and Quant use 130-170. Analytical Writing uses 0-6 in half points. Use the school's published numbers. Do not rely on a single combined total if the program lists section floors.

3. Timing

Build in 8-10 days for official scores

Official scores usually land in your ETS account in 8-10 calendar days. Add school processing time so the report arrives before the deadline.

4. Accommodations

Get approval before you schedule

Request disability or health-related accommodations through ETS before booking; they cannot be added to an existing appointment. After ETS receives a complete request, review can take about four to six weeks. Requested follow-up documents can add about two to four weeks. Extra breaks or otherwise prohibited health items require approval; check ETS's permissible-items exceptions.

5. Fee and scheduling

Budget the full checkout charge

The current base fee is US$220 in most areas and US$231.30 in China. ETS says registrations completed on or after 1 August 2026 will show US$249. The 2026-27 Bulletin also adds a nonrefundable 4% online service fee, and tax can apply. At-home appointments are offered 24/7 where available; register online at least two calendar days ahead.

You can retake once every 21 days, up to five times in a rolling 12 months. Scores stay reportable for five years. Eligible fee-reduction candidates pay US$100 and receive free prep. India has separate payment information; Mainland China at-home candidates must follow takethegre.cn. Confirm the checkout total before paying.

At-home setup and test rules

Run Equipment Check on the same computer, network, and time of day as your appointment. You test in the ETS Secure Browser with a live remote proctor. The questions match the test center; only the room and proctoring setup change.

Technical requirements

ComputerDesktop or laptop only. Tablets, Chromebooks, phones, and Surface Pro devices are not allowed.

Operating systemWindows 11+ recommended; Mac OS 11+. Use a licensed OS. Chrome is used for related ETS steps.

Display and inputOne monitor and one keyboard only. On a laptop, use its built-in keyboard and screen. Disconnect extra displays and keyboards.

AudioSpeakers and a microphone are required. No headsets or earphones.

Primary webcamA movable webcam so you can show a 360° room scan and the tabletop.

Second camera (from 5 Jan 2026)A charged smartphone or tablet (iOS 12+ or Android 8+). Scan the on-screen QR code and allow camera and microphone access. Place it for a side view of your computer, keyboard, mouse, hands, and profile. Keep it plugged in and on Do Not Disturb.

InternetYou need a stable connection for check-in and the full session. Wired Ethernet is safer than shared Wi-Fi when you can use it.

Notes materialsA whiteboard with an erasable marker, or one sheet inside a transparent sheet protector with an erasable marker. No regular paper, pen, or pencil.

Official launch flow

Confirm appointment details

Use the At Home Check-In link from your confirmation email or ETS account. Opening the Secure Browser alone will not connect you to a proctor.

Complete IDVaaS when required

For tests booked and scheduled on or after 31 March 2026, finish IDVaaS at least 72 hours before the test (or right away if you booked closer). The proctor still rechecks ID on test day. If the app cannot verify your document, present an acceptable ID to the proctor on the day.

Run Equipment Check

Pass browser, bandwidth, camera, mic, and related checks on the exact device and network you will use.

Connect in the check-in window

Open the At Home Check-In link 15 minutes early. ETS's live test-day page says proctor connection runs from 5 minutes before through 15 minutes after the start, but the 2026-27 Bulletin says more than 12 minutes late is canceled. Do not rely on either grace window. Check-in itself often takes 20-30 minutes.

Room scan and desk clear

Show walls, door, and desk as directed. Keep the door visible to the proctor. Sit in a standard chair, not a bed or couch.

Start only when ready

The standard session allows no food, drink, or unscheduled break. Finish bathroom and power checks before check-in. Health-related exceptions and extra or extended breaks require advance ETS approval.

Room and conduct rules

Photo IDBring original, valid ID that meets ETS rules for your citizenship and testing location. The full first and last names must exactly match your registration, excluding accents; a nickname or initial is not enough.

Alone in a private roomDoors closed; blinds or curtains closed. No glass-walled or public spaces.

Face and ears visibleNo face mask. Keep ears visible (religious headwear is allowed if ears stay visible). Limit jewelry and hair accessories.

One monitor, no extra devicesClear phones and tablets from the desk except the approved second camera used for proctoring.

Approved notes onlyWrong note materials can end the session. Erase notes and show the proctor at the end when asked.

ProctoringA live remote proctor through the ETS at-home system and Secure Browser. Follow on-screen and proctor instructions.

Failed equipment, wrong materials, or unmet room rules can cancel the session. If you did not meet the published requirements, tech problems often mean no refund. Fix issues before check-in day.

Scoring scales

Verbal and Quant are scored 130-170 in one-point steps. The raw score is the total number correct across both operational sections; every question within a section contributes equally, and equating accounts for section difficulty. Analytical Writing is holistically evaluated on a 0-6 scale in half-point steps and includes an ETS e-rater score. If you answer no questions in a whole measure, it is reported as No Score (NS). If you report your scores, unofficial Verbal and Quant appear after the test; Analytical Writing appears only on the official report.

Measure	Scale	Increments	When you see it
Verbal Reasoning	130-170	1 point	Unofficial after test if you view; official in 8-10 days
Quantitative Reasoning	130-170	1 point	Unofficial after test if you view; official in 8-10 days
Analytical Writing	0-6	0.5 point	Official report only (not shown unofficially)

Results, ScoreSelect, and retakes

Plan reporting and retakes around the official score window and school deadlines.

Official scoresUsually available in your ETS account 8-10 calendar days after the test. ETS emails when they are ready.

Score validityReportable for five years from the test date.

Free score reportsIf you report your scores, choose up to four institutions at the end of test day at no extra fee.

Additional Score ReportsUS$40 per recipient after test day. Processing usually takes about five business days.

ScoreSelect on test dayFor each free report, send Most Recent (this test) or All GRE General Test administrations from the last five years, or send none yet.After test day, paid reports also offer Any (one or more selected administrations). You must send a selected administration in full. Institution reports show only selected administrations and do not flag other GRE tests.

ScoreSelect caveatSome programs still require all GRE attempts. Always check the school's policy.

Cancel scoresAt the end you may report/view or cancel the entire test administration; you cannot cancel one measure only or cancel after viewing. Canceled scores are unavailable, unreported, and not refunded or added to reportable history.You may reinstate scores you canceled within 60 days through your ETS account for the current US$50 fee. ETS says General Test reinstatement takes about two weeks.

RetakesOnce every 21 days; maximum five times per rolling 12 months, even if you canceled scores.Reschedule fee is typically US$55 (China US$53.90 on ETS fee tables).

Change or cancel an appointmentReschedule or cancel no later than four days before the test date (10 days in Mainland China). A timely cancellation normally refunds half the test fee; service fees are not refunded. Miss the deadline and the test fee is forfeited.If you have approved accommodations, follow your approval letter or contact ETS Disability Services to change or cancel an at-home appointment.

Frequently asked questions

Is the GRE at Home the same test as the test-center GRE?

Yes. Content, format, and on-screen experience match the test center. Only delivery and proctoring differ. ETS treats the scores the same. Prep materials apply to both.

How long is the shorter GRE General Test?

About 1 hour 58 minutes. Analytical Writing is one Issue task (30 minutes). Verbal is 12 questions in 18 minutes plus 15 in 23 minutes. Quant is 12 in 21 minutes plus 15 in 26 minutes.

What are the Verbal and Quant section times?

Verbal: 18 minutes then 23 minutes (not two 27-minute sections). Quant: 21 minutes then 26 minutes (not two 23-minute sections). Both measures have 27 questions total.

Is there a break during GRE at Home?

The standard test has no scheduled break, and unscheduled breaks are not permitted at home. Only an ETS-approved accommodation can provide extra or extended breaks. Finish bathroom and setup needs before check-in.

When do I need a second camera?

From 5 January 2026, GRE at Home needs a second camera on a charged phone or tablet (iOS 12+ or Android 8+) showing your computer, keyboard, mouse, hands, and side profile.

What is IDVaaS for GRE?

For tests booked and scheduled on or after 31 March 2026, complete the IDVaaS identity app at least 72 hours before the test (or right away if you booked later). The proctor still checks ID on test day. If the app cannot verify your document, present an acceptable ID to the proctor on the day.

Who proctors GRE at Home?

A live remote proctor through the ETS at-home system and Secure Browser. Check in through ETS using your confirmation email or account.

How much does the GRE cost in 2026?

The current base fee is US$220 in most areas and US$231.30 in China. ETS says registrations completed on or after 1 August 2026 will show US$249. The 2026-27 Bulletin adds a nonrefundable 4% online service fee, and tax may also apply. India and Mainland China can have separate instructions, so confirm the checkout total.

How do GRE accommodations affect the at-home rules?

Request and receive ETS approval before scheduling; accommodations cannot be added to an existing appointment. Complete-document review can take about four to six weeks, and requested follow-up documents can add about two to four weeks. Extra breaks and otherwise prohibited health items need approval, subject to ETS's permissible-items exceptions. Use the current 2026-27 Bulletin Supplement.

When are official GRE scores ready?

Official scores usually appear in your ETS account 8-10 calendar days after the test. Unofficial Verbal and Quant can show at the end of the at-home session; Analytical Writing waits for the official report.

How does ScoreSelect work?

On test day each free report can send Most Recent (the current test) or All administrations from five years, or you can send none. Later, paid reports also offer Any, meaning one or more selected administrations. A selected administration is sent in full. Some schools require all attempts, so check each program.

How often can I retake the GRE?

Once every 21 days, up to five times in any rolling 12-month period, even if you canceled scores. Plan retakes around the 8-10 day official score wait.

Official sources

Prefer current ETS pages over older blogs or PDFs. Timing, fees, and at-home rules change; re-check before you register.

GRE test structure and timing GRE at Home equipment, ID, and room rules At Home test day and check-in GRE fees (including Aug 2026 change)2026-27 GRE Information Bulletin (registration, fees, cancellation)2026-27 disability and health accommodations supplement Getting scores (scales, 8-10 days, validity)Sending scores and ScoreSelect How adaptive sections and Analytical Writing are scored Current Analytical Writing task and word processor Quant content, formats, and on-screen calculator Verbal content and current response formats Published Analytical Writing Issue topic pool Official Verbal and Quant sample questions Shorter GRE enhancement FAQs

Related guides

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GRE General Test at Home Guide

Test format

Analytical Writing format

Analyze an Issue

Best practices

Before you register

Check each program, not "the GRE" in general

Know Verbal, Quant, and AW floors

Build in 8-10 days for official scores

Get approval before you schedule

Budget the full checkout charge

At-home setup and test rules

Technical requirements

Official launch flow

Room and conduct rules

Scoring scales

Results, ScoreSelect, and retakes

Final checklist

Before registration

Technical and ID rehearsal

Immediately before check-in

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

Related guides

GRE at Home blog guide

iTEP Academic-Plus at Home

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