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How to Take the GRE General Test at Home: Complete Guide

The GRE General Test at home is identical to the test-center GRE — same sections, same adaptive format, same 260–340 score scale — taken on your own computer with a live online proctor. This guide covers registration, setup, rules, and how to walk in (virtually) ready for a top score.

What is the at-home GRE?

ETS offers the at-home GRE around the clock, seven days a week, with appointments available as soon as 24 hours after registration. The shorter GRE takes just under two hours and includes Analytical Writing (one essay), two Verbal Reasoning sections, and two Quantitative Reasoning sections. The second Verbal and Quant sections adapt to your performance on the first.

Scores are accepted by graduate and business schools worldwide on the same terms as test-center scores, and official results typically arrive in 8–10 days.

System and room requirements

• A desktop or laptop (Windows or macOS) with one monitor, a speaker, and a microphone — no headsets or earphones.
• A movable webcam for the 360° room scan and a desk completely clear of notes, books, and devices.
• The ETS Test Browser installed, and the equipment check passed on the exact computer and network you will test with.
• A private, quiet room — public spaces and open-plan offices are not allowed, and nobody may enter during the test.
• A whiteboard with erasable marker or transparent sheet protectors for scratch work — essential for Quant, so practice with one beforehand.

How to register

Sign in to your ETS account at ets.org/gre, select the at-home testing option, choose your slot, and pay the fee. Make sure the name on your account matches your passport exactly. Before test day, run the ProctorU equipment check and prepare your room — a failed room scan can cancel your appointment without a refund.

Test-day rules and procedure

• Launch the test from your ETS account at the scheduled time; check-in with the proctor takes about 20 minutes, including ID verification and the room scan.
• Remain on camera at all times. The unscheduled 10-minute break after the third section is the only time you may leave your seat.
• Mouthing words, looking off-screen repeatedly, or anyone entering the room can invalidate your scores — set expectations with family or roommates in advance.
• If the connection drops, the session pauses and resumes where you left off once the proctor reconnects you.

Strategies for a top score at home

Train under exam conditions: same room, whiteboard instead of paper, no headphones. Master the section-adaptive logic — a strong first Verbal and Quant section unlocks the harder, higher-scoring second sections. And keep your prep window short and intense: a focused one-week plan with daily mocks and error analysis beats months of scattered practice.