GRE Online Vs Offline Test Mode - Know The Difference Between at Home and at Test Centre

GRE online and offline exams are the two methods by which ETS, the testing authority for the GRE test, conducts the exam. 

GRE scores have become increasingly popular among students who wish to study abroad. The world’s best universities accept GRE scores for admissions to programmes including MS, MBA and other professional programmes. This score is also seen as an eligibility criterion by over 1,300 B-schools across the globe, such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford, to name a few.

Clearly, GRE offline exam scores are readily accepted by these countries and their universities, however, does GRE General Test at Home also enjoy the same acceptance? Let us find out here while learning more about how the GRE Online and offline exams differ. 

Overview of GRE Online Exam vs GRE Offline

Here is an overview of the differences between GRE online exam (GRE at Home) and GRE offline exam (GRE at Test Centre):

Exam Dates for GRE Online Exam vs GRE Offline

Exam dates for GRE online and offline exams are different.

Exam Dates for GRE Online Exam

There are no distinct GRE online exam dates. The test can be attempted at any time and test-takers can attempt the test throughout the year, provided they register for the test well in advance.

The GRE General Test at Home is a home-based test. The preparations and arrangements of ETS are limited to monitoring and controlling, hence it is easier to conduct the GRE online exam on a regular basis.

In simpler words, the GRE at Home exam can be taken seven days a week and as early as 24 hours after registration. 

Exam Dates for GRE Offline Exam

GRE at Test Centre is conducted throughout the year, and exam dates are selected on basis of the availability of test centres.

The GRE offline exam dates can be accessed while registering for the test. Test-takers shall have to check for seat availability on a test date before booking a slot. They can select both test dates and test centres at their convenience.

Eligibility Criteria of GRE Online Exam vs GRE Offline

There is no difference in the eligibility criteria for the GRE Online exam and GRE offline exam. Also, ETS does not specify any GRE eligibility criteria for taking the test. However, there are certain rules and regulations regarding the exam:

Academic Requirements

• Students have to complete a bachelor's degree to apply for a master's course with their GRE scores.

• They should receive a satisfactory GPA in a bachelor's programme from a reputed university. 

• GRE scores are used for admission to postgraduate degree programmes and not for bachelor's courses. 

Personal Details 

While filling out the GRE registration form, ETS requires candidates to fill in their names exactly as registered in the IDs. For instance, if a candidate has a middle name, they must include it while registering for the exam.

If there is a discrepancy between names on the identity card and the GRE form, it cannot be corrected through any supplementary form and the candidate will be disqualified from taking the exam.

ID Requirements

ETS expects candidates to carry their ID along with them to the GRE test centre on the GRE exam date. In both the types of GRE at Home and at test centres, the ID document must fulfil the following requirements:

• The ID document must be original and in physical format. While taking the GRE General Test at Home, either the photo or the scanned copy of the original ID has to be submitted and not the digital or electronic versions.

• The ID should be issued by the state, national or provincial government of the country depending on the citizenship or permanent residency of the test-taker.

• The ID should be a valid document in the country of the test-taker.

• An ID that has expired must not be presented.

• The name of the candidate must be the same as that used during the time of registration.

• The ID must contain a recent and recognisable photograph of the test-taker.

• It should contain the signature of the candidate and match the signature of the one at the time of the GRE registration.

Registration for GRE Online Exam vs GRE Offline

The registration process for the GRE at Home exam and at Test Centre exam is not much different, except, that while selecting the mode of exam, candidates need to make a choice most suitable to them. 

Test-takers need to follow the following step to register for the GRE exam:

Step 1: Candidates need to register as new user by filling in personal details and setting up a password. They will be required to allow communicating permissions to ETS.

Step 2: After they have created their login credentials, candidates can choose the mode of the exam they would like to register for.

Step 3: Candidates will have to choose the test date and fill in any other required information for the GRE Online Exam.

OR

For GRE at Test Centre Exam, choice of the test date, centre and any other required information has to be made.

Step 4: The final step will be to process the payment through a protected online portal. With this, the registration shall be complete.

Exam Pattern of GRE Online Exam vs GRE Offline

The exam pattern of the GRE online exam and GRE offline exam is identical. In the case of the GRE at Home exam, an online Proctor is assigned for the candidate for invigilation. This proctor will maintain a continuous connection with the candidate throughout the exam and will also check if the eligibility criteria have been met or not. The exam pattern of GRE at Home and GRE at Test Centre can be summarised as follows:

Syllabus of GRE Online Exam vs GRE Offline Exam Fees 

There is no change or difference in the syllabus of GRE at Home and GRE at Test Centre. Both the test modes use tasks and questions to test the skills and aptitude of test-takers in three main areas:

GRE Online Exam vs GRE Offline Exam Fees

The exam fees for GRE at Home and at Test Centre exam are the same. However, ETS charges a fee of USD 50 for changing the test centre chosen originally. This fee is only applicable to GRE offline test-takers availing of the service.

There are several types of charges asked for the different services provided by ETS to GRE test-takers. Here is the applicable GRE exam fee structure in India for both GRE online and offline exams:

Score Submission for GRE Online Exam vs GRE Offline Exam

GRE test-takers can choose directly to send their scores through ETS to the institutions of their choice. It is possible to send scores to up to four universities for free. The methods to send GRE scores are:

• Online

• Mail

• Fax

If a student is interested to send an additional score report to more than four institutions a payment of USD 27 has to be made. 

Requirements for GRE Online vs GRE Offline Exam

GRE offline and GRE online tests are conducted in different manners and as a result, the requirements to attempt each of them also differ. 

GRE Online Exam 

The candidate will require the following to attempt the GRE at Home test:

• A computer or laptop with an approved and licensed operating system. The approved operating systems are Windows version 8 or 10, and Mac OSX 10.5 or higher.

• The browser must be either Chrome or Firefox.

• Only single screens are allowed.

• ETS secure test browser must be downloaded. After running the file and successfully installing it a ProctorU Equipment Check must be conducted.

• An internal or external speaker must be configured with the system to hear the proctor. Headphones and earphones are not allowed.

• An internal or external microphone must be configured to communicate with the proctor.

• A built-in or external camera with a 360-degree view is required to be connected to the system.

• The test cannot be taken in a park or any other public area. 

• The room must be lockable and only the test taker must be present in the room.

• The system must be placed on a desk or tabletop, and the room must be visible to the proctor. The tabletop must be cleared of any additional equipment or things such as a tumbler, watch, notes, etc.

• Semi-formal clothing must be worn during the exam. Face masks, jewellery, and non-religious headgear are not allowed.

• Ears must be visible during the exam.

• Small desktop whiteboard or paper sheet within sheet protector are allowed, provided the marker used is erasable. Pencils and pens are not allowed.

GRE Offline Exam

To attempt GRE offline exam successfully, the following eligibility requirements must be met:

• Arrive at the test centre at least twenty minutes before the scheduled start time.

• Arrive in semi-formal clothing.

• Face masks, jewellery, and non-religious headgear are not allowed.

• Covering of ears with hair is not allowed.

• Do not carry any pens, pencils, or sheets of paper.

Pros and Cons of GRE Online Exam vs GRE Offline

Clearly, both the exam modes, GRE online exam and GRE offline exam, have their own sets of pros and cons. Here is a comparison of the pros and cons of both GRE at Home and GRE at Test Centre:

Pros of GRE at Home vs GRE at Test Centre

Cons of GRE at Home vs GRE at Test Centre

ETS has designed both, GRE Online and GRE offline exams, to cater to the unique requirements of each candidate. Given that both exams are almost similar in terms of the exam pattern, fees and syllabus, taking either of the two would not make much of a difference. That said, students must make sure that the university accepts GRE at Home scores for admission to Master’s programmes. 

In case you still have doubts about which mode works best for you, you can write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com.