GRE at Home 2026: Check Requirements, ID Rules & Complete Setup Guide

What is the GRE at Home Test?

The GRE at Home is an official testing option by ETS. You take the same GRE General Test — just from your home or any secure private location.

• The test content, format, and scoring are the same as a GRE test center test.
• A human proctor monitors you throughout the session via video.
• Available around the clock, 7 days a week. Check GRE Test Dates 2026
• Available in India — you can register through your ETS account.

GRE at Home Fee for Indian Students

For students registering from India, the GRE test fee is charged in Indian Rupees (INR) via the ETS India website.

Payment options for Indian students include:

• Visa, MasterCard, Maestro credit/debit cards
• RuPay credit and debit cards
• UPI, Bharat QR, Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, Amazon Pay, and all BHIM UPI-enabled apps

GRE at Home: Room and Environment Requirements

Your testing space matters as much as your device. A wrong setup can get your test cancelled.

Privacy Rules

• You must be alone in the room — no one can enter during the test.
• No testing in public spaces, cafes, or glass-walled rooms.
• All doors must be closed; blinds or curtains must be shut.

Desk and Seating

• Computer and keyboard must be on a desk or table.
• Table must be positioned so the door is visible to the proctor.
• No food or drinks during the test.
• Sit in a standard chair — no beds, couches, or soft chairs.

Clothing and Appearance

• Ears must be visible at all times — no hats, hair covering ears.
• Religious headwear is allowed only if ears remain visible.
• No face masks during check-in or the test.
• Avoid jewelry, hair accessories, tie clips, or ornate items.

Note-Taking Materials

• Regular paper and pens are NOT allowed.
• You may use:
  • One small whiteboard with an erasable marker.
  • One sheet of paper inside a transparent sheet protector with an erasable marker.
• At the end of the test, you must erase all notes in front of the proctor.

GRE at Home: ID Verification

For tests booked on or after March 31, 2026, ETS has a new ID verification process.

You must verify your identity at least 72 hours before your test using the IDVaaS app.

Steps:

1. Scan the QR code from your ETS account email and download the IDVaaS app.
2. Open the app, scan the QR code again, and allow camera access.
3. Accept terms and biometric consent.
4. Take a clear photo of your ID (good lighting, no glare).
5. Take a selfie — face the camera, neutral expression.
6. Submit.

Important for Indian students:

• Aadhaar card is NOT an acceptable ID for GRE.
• Your ID must be a government-issued photo ID with your first name, last name, photo, and signature.
• The name on your ID must exactly match the name on your ETS account.
• Passport is the most commonly accepted ID for Indian test takers.

What is the Check-In Process for the GRE at Home?

Knowing the check-in steps in advance saves you stress on the actual day.

• 15 minutes before your test time, click the "At Home Check-In" link in your ETS confirmation email.
• You can connect with a proctor starting 5 minutes before your test time and up to 15 minutes after.
• The check-in process takes approximately 20–30 minutes.

During check-in, the proctor will:

• Verify your ID.
• Ask you to show a 360-degree view of your room using your webcam.
• Ask you to show your computer screen using a handheld mirror or cell phone.
• Guide you to set up your second camera.
• Ensure the ETS Secure Browser is running.

What Rules to Follow During the GRE at Home Test

These rules apply strictly. Violating any of them can lead to score cancellation.

• Total test time: 1 hour 58 minutes — no breaks.
• The proctor monitors you via video and screen share throughout
• Do NOT:
  • Talk out loud to yourself.
  • Look away from the screen.
  • Move out of camera view.
  • Take an unscheduled break.
• All screen-sharing apps (Zoom, Teams, Skype, TeamViewer, Grammarly) must be disabled before and during the test.
• If you need the proctor, speak out loud or use the chat function.

Score reporting at the end:

• You can view unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores immediately.
• Analytical Writing scores are not shown immediately (due to the essay scoring process).
• You can send scores to up to 4 institutions for free on test day.

Also Read: What is GRE ScoreSelect?

How to Run the GRE at Home Equipment Check

Do this before your test day — not on the day itself.

1. Download the ETS Secure Browser (Windows or Mac version from the ETS website.)
2. Open the browser — you'll see a welcome screen.
3. Click "Equipment Check".
4. The check tests your webcam, microphone, system, network, and software.
5. A green checkmark means passed, and a red triangle means failed (fix before test day).

Pro tip: Run the equipment check at the same time of day and same day of the week as your actual test. Bandwidth varies by time — this helps you check real conditions.

GRE at Home is a fully valid, official option for Indian students. It has the same test pattern, same scores, and same acceptance. The key requirements are a compatible laptop, a second camera (smartphone), a private room, and a valid passport as ID. Indian students pay INR 22,550 and can register directly through the ETS India website. Make sure to complete the IDVaaS identity verification at least 72 hours before your test date.