GRE at Home vs Test Center: Pros and Cons
I. Overview of GRE at Home and Test Center
The Educational Testing Service (ETS) offers the GRE general test in two formats: an online GRE taken at home and an in person GRE. The online GRE at home allows you to take your test online in your own test environment. The GRE at home is administered remotely using a personal computer. The test at home is monitored by a human proctor online to ensure the integrity of the GRE exam. The in personGRE is administered at an authorized test center.
During registration, test takers select a test center to utilize on test day, typically a test center nearest to home. The ETS offers the GRE test in two formats to ensure equity and accessibility for all test takers. For instance, some individuals may need to take the GRE at home due to travel constraints or health issues. The in person GRE is often used by those who favor a more traditional exam setting or who may have technical limitations at home. The GRE test at home and the GRE in person do not differ in terms of content, structure, and scoring. Each has two sections for verbal reasoning and two for quantitative reasoning, as well as one analytical writing section; both use the same scoring scale (a score between 130–170 for each the verbal and quantitative sections, and 0–6 for analytical writing). Both the GRE at home and the test center version feature the same number of questions and the same level of difficulty. To learn more about the GRE test, click here: What Is the GRE and Why It Matters for Grad School.
II. GRE at Home: Pros and Cons
Advantages of GRE at Home
Taking the GRE at home has both advantages and disadvantages, depending on your personal situation. In terms of advantages, the home test allows you to take the GRE test in the comfort of your own home and means you do not have to travel to a test center, which will likely save you both time and money; if you take the test at home, you also have more flexibility in terms of scheduling because more dates and times will be available to book your GRE test, including evenings and weekends. Additionally, should you have time to complete the registration and secure an appointment right away, the online GRE may allow for same-day scheduling.
Disadvantages of GRE at Home
There are certain disadvantages to taking the GRE test at home. One drawback is the potential for technical issues. If your internet is unstable when you take the test online, this may interrupt or cancel your GRE test. Your computer will need to meet ETS’ requirements, so older devices may not qualify to be used during the GRE test at home. Another potential disadvantage comes down to a lack of privacy - you will be monitored by an online proctor for the duration of your GRE exam when you test at home, and background noises or looking away from the camera could get you flagged for cheating. You are also responsible for ensuring that your testing room is quiet and free of distractions on test day, and this may not always be easy.
III. GRE at Test Center: Pros and Cons
Advantages of Test Center GRE
One advantage of taking the GRE test at a test center is limited distractions. Test centers are a controlled environment, and thus, outside noise is limited, whereas this cannot be guaranteed at home. Test centers also allow you to avoid the potential technical issues you might run into at home - the computers used in test centers are up-to-date and reliable; should an issue arise, on-site technical assistance is available.
Disadvantages of Test Center GRE
Certain disadvantages of using a test center to take the GRE include having fewer time slots to choose from as opposed to when you test at home. Spaces in test centers can fill up quickly. When you test online, you can take the GRE at any time, but when using a test center, you can only take the exam at certain times. Furthermore, travelling to a test center can be expensive. You may encounter costs associated with fuel, accommodations (if you are far from home), and parking, for example. Finally, taking the test in an unfamiliar setting can be stressful, especially if you already have test anxiety.
IV. Key Differences Between GRE at Home and Test Center
| Feature | GRE at home | GRE at test center |
| Cost |
|
|
| Duration | 1 hour and 58 minutes | 1 hour and 58 minutes |
| Location | At home | At a certified test center |
| Scheduling Flexibility | Available to book 24/7 | Available to book during test center hours only. Click here to find the best test date for you: GRE Test Dates 2025 |
| Environment | Private testing room at home | Shared testing room |
| Technology and internet requirements | Must meet computer, browser and room requirements. Must have reliable internet. | Equipment & internet provided by the center |
| Proctoring & security checks | Human proctor online, room scans, ID checks, no breaks off camera | In-person proctors, body scan, locker storage |
| Test anxiety | Possibly lower in own home environment | Possibly higher due to unfamiliar environment, crowds, and more formal setting |
V. Which Exam Should You Choose?
When deciding whether to take GRE at home vs testing center, it comes down to your personal circumstances. You may wish to take the home test if you do not have easy access to a test center, as you will save time and money on travel. If you feel less anxious in a familiar environment, or if you require more flexibility in terms of scheduling your GRE exam, taking the GRE test online may be best. However, you may want to choose the test center exam if you do not have access to reliable internet or technology at home, or if you cannot guarantee a quiet environment within which to take the GRE exam. You may wish to choose the test center exam if you focus better in a more structured and formal environment.
VI. Test Day Experience: What to Expect
On test day, your experience will differ depending on if you take the GRE exam at home or in a test center. At home, you’ll need to log in 15–30 minutes early to ETS or ProctorU to ensure your computer meets all requirements. A human proctor online will verify your ID, conduct a full room scan via webcam (you must be alone in a private, well-lit room and sit at a desk or table, with your computer on the table), and monitor you via video for the duration of your exam. You must stay in view of the camera and only take breaks when allowed. At the test center, you need to arrive 30 minutes in advance. You will store personal items in a locker. After check-in - which includes an ID check as well as security scans - you'll be escorted to a testing station where you’re monitored by both cameras and on-site proctors. Both the online and at home exams allow for a 10-minute break after the third section.
VII. Scoring and Result Delivery
The GRE scoring and result delivery process is the same whether you choose to take the test at home or at a test center. In both cases, you will receive your unofficial verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning test scores immediately after completing the test. You will receive your official GRE scores, including your analytical writing scores, within 8-10 days of completing either the GRE in person or the online GRE. Once available, scores can be accessed through your ETS account; with both the online and in-person GRE, upon their release your official scores will automatically be sent to the schools you selected during registration to receive your results. To get a better idea of when you will receive your scores, see: How Long Does It Take to Get GRE Scores.
VIII. Preparing for the GRE Regardless of Format
Your final GRE score will depend more on how well you prepare than on where you take the test—whether that is at home or at a test center. Thorough preparation includes mastering the exam content, taking practice tests, and building test-taking stamina and confidence, as well as using high-quality study materials, that is, trusted, ETS-approved resources. Booster Prep is a site that helps you to build guided study plans and target your weak areas, while also providing timed practice tests with detailed feedback. To learn how to register for the GRE, click here: How to Register for GRE in 2025.
IX. FAQ
Q: Is the GRE at home harder than the test center?
A: No, the GRE at home is not harder. When considering whether to take the GRE test at home vs testing center, note that both exams are identical in content, difficulty, and scoring. Each is created and administered by the ETS.
Q: Can business schools see if you took the GRE at home?
A: No, business schools cannot see whether you took the GRE at home. ETS does not include your test format in your final score. Schools can only see your official section scores, total scores, and percentile ranks, as well as your test date and score history (if you choose to report multiple tests).
Q: Is cheating possible during the at-home GRE?
A: Cheating on the GRE at home is very risky and difficult. ETS has multiple measures to prevent cheating, including a live proctor who can end your exam if they suspect you of cheating. A requisite 360° scan of your room is required before the test begins, and you must download a secure browser that prevents tabs, files, or apps from being opened. You are not permitted to have unscheduled breaks and must remain in view of the camera for the duration of the exam.
Q: What technical requirements are needed for the at-home GRE?
A: You will require a desktop or laptop computer with Windows 10 or 11, or Mac OS 10.13 - 13. The Chrome or Firefox browser is required, as well as an internal or external microphone (headphones are not permitted). An internal or external webcam that shows a 360° view of your room is needed, in addition to a stable, high-speed internet connection and the ETS browser (ProctorU).
Q: Which is better overall: GRE at home or test center?
A: Both formats have equal value and are scored the same, so your choice of test format comes down to your own personal preferences. If you are comfortable with technology, have a room free of distractions, and have access to the appropriate equipment and prefer a familiar environment in which to test, home might be best. However, if you prefer a controlled, distraction-free environment where the technology needed to test is provided for you, you may prefer the test center.