# GRE at Home 2026: ID, Room and Check-in Rules | topin

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## The ID-verification step introduced for 31 March bookings

ETS introduced advance identity verification for at-home tests booked and scheduled on or after 31 March 2026, and its main at-home page now lists it as a standard requirement. You do it in the IDVaaS app, reached through the QR code in your booking email or GRE account. It doesn't replace the proctor's ID check on test day; you need both.

The normal instruction is to complete verification at least 72 hours before your appointment. If you register inside that window, ETS says to complete it immediately after scheduling. Its page also says verification must be completed before the appointment day and warns that a failed same-day check can prevent testing. Treat immediate late-booking verification as an urgent exception, not a reason to leave an ordinary booking until the morning of the exam.

Follow the official QR route to download and open the app, allow the requested access and consent, photograph the ID and complete the selfie step. The process may include reading the document's chip where applicable. Use good light, avoid glare and review the submitted details. Keep the acceptable physical ID for check-in even after completing the app.

Look for successful completion in the instructions or account rather than assuming that downloading the app was enough. If verification does not finish, contact the support channel in the confirmation while there is time to resolve it. Keep the error message available. Do not repeatedly change identity details to get a different outcome.

ETS says a previous IDVaaS verification may remain valid, but expired verification or an ID expiring before the appointment requires re-verification. Check the current status for this booking. A prior successful test does not by itself establish that your document and verification are still usable today.

## Your 72-hour, 24-hour and 30-minute checklist

__Planning checklist checked 4 October 2026; 72-hour ID rule and check-in times are ETS instructions, other checkpoints are our preparation recommendations__
| When                                | Action                                                                                                       | Completion evidence                                                         |
| ----------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| At least 72 hours before            | Finish IDVaaS verification; install Secure Browser; check equipment                                          | Successful ID submission and an equipment check without unresolved failures |
| If booking less than 72 hours ahead | Verify immediately after registration                                                                        | Verification completed before appointment day wherever possible             |
| 24 hours before                     | Recheck account, time zone, room, both cameras and note-taking setup                                         | Confirmed booking and a workable private-room arrangement                   |
| 30 minutes before                   | Prepare the desk; power devices; close unrelated apps; run final equipment check                             | Ready computer, charged second-camera device, acceptable ID                 |
| 15 minutes before                   | Open the At Home Check-In link from the account or confirmation email                                        | Started the official check-in flow                                          |
| Proctor connection window           | Follow ETS prompts; connection starts 5 minutes before and extends up to 15 minutes after the scheduled time | Connected to the proctor without relying on the late window                 |

The 24-hour and 30-minute checkpoints are practical recommendations, not extra ETS deadlines. Use them to separate work that can be done calmly from work that must happen with the proctor. At 24 hours, you are testing the setup. At 30 minutes, you are making that already tested setup ready.

For an evening appointment, arrange the household in advance rather than requesting silence when the timer starts. Confirm that nobody needs to enter the room, that the door can remain closed and that internet-heavy activities can pause. Test the lighting at the same time of day: a webcam image that works in daylight may be poor after sunset.

At 30 minutes, complete your ordinary personal preparations and move food, drinks and unrelated items away. Put the confirmation and support information somewhere accessible before the secure session begins. When ETS's check-in link becomes the next step, follow it. Merely launching the Secure Browser does not connect you to a proctor.

Do not use the end of the connection window as your target arrival time. Authentication and room inspection still have to happen. If a prompt differs from what you remember, follow the current booking instructions and proctor guidance. The checklist reduces rushed decisions; it does not override an instruction displayed for your appointment.

## Computer, software and audio requirements

__ETS at-home equipment requirements, checked 4 October 2026__
| Component                 | Current requirement                                                                                   | Practical check                                                        |
| ------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Main computer             | Desktop or laptop; no tablet, Chromebook, mobile device or Microsoft Surface Pro                      | Use the exact computer you intend to test on                           |
| Operating system          | Windows 11 or later, or Mac OS X 11 or later                                                          | Check ETS's current browser compatibility and pass the equipment check |
| Displays and input        | One monitor and one keyboard; on a laptop, use its built-in screen and keyboard                       | Disconnect external monitors and keyboards                             |
| Browser and test software | Chrome and ETS Secure Browser                                                                         | Install beforehand and run the built-in Equipment Check                |
| Audio                     | Internal or external speaker and a microphone that is not part of a headset; no headsets or earphones | Confirm you can hear and speak to the proctor                          |
| Main camera               | Built-in or external, movable for a 360-degree room view                                              | Rehearse showing the desk and surrounding room                         |

Pass the Equipment Check on the testing computer at the time of day you expect to use it. An internet speed result alone is not the ETS check. Resolve the red failure indicators before your appointment, then repeat shortly before check-in. Your equipment is checked again before the test begins.

A work laptop can be convenient but difficult if you cannot install software, grant permissions or disable remote-access services. Confirm those capabilities well ahead of the deadline. ETS also warns that some work, university and public networks block the screen sharing needed by the proctor. A device that works for ordinary video meetings may still fail this testing arrangement.

Close unrelated browsers and applications before starting. Disable screen-sharing and remote-access software and prevent it reopening during the session. Avoid making major software changes just before the appointment; if you change the operating system or equipment, repeat the official check. Keep power connected so battery management does not become another task during the exam.

An approved computer does not remove the separate second-camera requirement. The main camera must support the room scan; the second device provides another angle during testing. Prepare both. If you do not have access to a compliant combination, compare a centre appointment before [paying for home testing](/articles/gre-fees-2026).

## The second camera: prepare the device and angle

The current ETS page includes a second-camera setup using a smartphone or tablet with a working camera, iOS 12+ or Android 8+, a stable internet connection and a sturdy stand or support. The mobile device is an additional camera, not the device on which you answer GRE questions.

When prompted after starting the session on the computer, scan the on-screen QR code with that device and allow camera and microphone access. Place it at a different angle from the main webcam. ETS describes a view including the computer, keyboard, mouse, hands and side profile; the proctor will guide the final position.

Rehearse where the stand, charger and device will go, but do not assume your chosen angle has already been approved. Leave enough space to adjust it without moving notes or disturbing cables. A stable view is more useful than a precarious phone balanced on a narrow stack of books.

Keep the mobile device powered and enable Do Not Disturb as ETS advises. Clear unrelated notifications and put the charging cable where it will not pull the device over. Explain to anyone who normally calls you that the phone has a testing role during the appointment.

If the second camera disconnects, ETS says you will be prompted to rescan the QR code and the proctor will temporarily stop the exam and guide reconnection. Follow that process. Do not independently switch apps, begin a call or change networks without communicating with the proctor.

ETS's general room list restricts phones and other unapproved items, while the second-camera instructions specifically require a mobile device. Read those instructions together: keep the authorised device in the proctor-approved role and remove other phones or gadgets. A second-camera phone is not permission to use a phone for calculations, messages or reference material.

## Room, seating and appearance rules

__Room inspection checklist: official requirements checked 4 October 2026__
| Area                      | Rule                                                         | Prepare before check-in                                                 |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Privacy                   | Alone; nobody enters; no public or glass-walled testing room | Choose an enclosed private room and tell others the test is in progress |
| Doors and windows         | Doors closed; blinds or curtains closed                      | Arrange seating so the proctor can see the door                         |
| Furniture                 | Computer and keyboard on a tabletop; standard chair          | Avoid a bed, couch or overstuffed chair                                 |
| Desk and surrounding area | Clear of unapproved devices, notes and study materials       | Remove revision sheets and unrelated items                              |
| Food and drink            | Not allowed during the test                                  | Finish beforehand and clear the desk                                    |
| Face and ears             | Visible; no face mask; headwear must leave ears visible      | Check your appearance on both cameras                                   |

Privacy is about visibility as well as silence. A quiet shared study space, café or glass meeting room does not meet the stated room conditions. Choose a room where other people cannot see you and you cannot see them. Arrange blinds and doors before the proctor begins inspecting the space.

Furniture and décor do not all have to be removed. Focus on the testing surface, nearby unapproved materials and the camera's ability to inspect the room. If you are unsure about a particular item, ask the proctor before the timer starts. Do not hide something outside the first camera angle and assume it is allowed.

Wear ordinary appropriate clothing and keep your ears visible. ETS advises avoiding jewellery and ornate accessories. Plan this while there is time to adjust hair or remove an item, rather than interrupting the authentication flow. Religious headwear is permitted under ETS's stated ear-visibility condition.

An anxious student may want familiar comforts on the desk. Keep the setup simple enough that every remaining item has an authorised purpose. You should be able to show the complete tabletop without moving a pile of objects. That also gives you a cleaner workspace for scratch calculations.

## Permitted scratch work and the test's timing

Regular loose-paper notes are not allowed at home. ETS permits a small desktop whiteboard with an erasable marker, or one sheet of paper inside a transparent sheet protector with an erasable marker. Pencils and pens are not permitted for this setup. At the end, show that your notes have been erased.

Practise with the same erasable surface beforehand. Check that you can read your working on camera and erase it quickly without leaving smears that obscure the next calculation. Keep the permitted materials within easy reach. A board that is comfortable for one practice question may be awkward across a full sitting.

The standard GRE General Test has 1 hour 58 minutes of testing and no scheduled break. ETS's home-testing page says unscheduled breaks are not permitted. Approved accommodations can alter an individual's conditions, so use the instructions attached to your accommodation rather than improvising a break during the standard session.

Build the rehearsal around sustained attention: include the essay and follow the test's timers. [topin's free GRE mock](/gre/practice-test) is timed like test day and provides explanations afterwards. For this rehearsal, use your home-test chair and scratch setup so you can identify practical problems before paying for or starting the official session.

Do not talk through questions aloud or communicate with anyone except the proctor. ETS flags talking to yourself, moving out of camera view and other prohibited behaviours. If you need help with the session, speak to the proctor or use the permitted chat route; keep that distinct from verbalising your reasoning.

## What happens during check-in and technical trouble

Use the At Home Check-In link in the account or confirmation email. The proctor confirms your identity and acceptable ID, checks your environment and equipment, reviews the rules and requests screen access. Be ready for a 360-degree room scan and, if requested, a mirror or phone view of the computer screen.

The testing timer begins after equipment checks and when the test actually starts; time spent preparing the setup is not a reason to rush answers. Still, reserve time beyond the 118 testing minutes in your personal schedule. Verification, room checks and a technical issue can extend the overall appointment.

If the final check fails, resolve the indicated issue before testing. If you cannot fix it, use the support details in your confirmation. Do not assume that trying a different untested device seconds before the appointment solves compatibility. Explain what failed and retain the error details so the support conversation is specific.

During the test, notify the proctor of technical trouble. ETS says a momentary internet loss can reconnect automatically, and the proctor may reopen the exam if possible. If reconnection is unsuccessful, its instructions say to reinitiate check-in. Whether a session can resume is determined by the actual situation; there is no general promise of a free replacement.

At the end, follow instructions about erasing notes and reporting scores. Keep the appointment details if the session had a problem. A displayed result and [the later official score report](/articles/gre-score-validity-retakes) are different stages; do not treat a disrupted session as fully resolved until the relevant account status or ETS response confirms the outcome.

## Home or centre: choose the setup you can meet

Home testing offers a familiar location but makes you responsible for equipment, privacy and preparation. A centre changes the logistics: travel replaces the room and device setup. Compare the actual appointment options and your ability to meet the requirements, rather than choosing solely on which location sounds less stressful.

Check the delivery-mode policy of [the programmes you're targeting](/articles/gre-required-ms-us-2026) before booking. ETS offering the home test does not mean every department accepts every home-test date. CMU's current MSCS admissions page, for example, lists narrow historical home-test exceptions; a new 2026 home score is outside those stated dates.

If your room is shared, your network unreliable or your device permissions restricted, decide early enough to change your plan within ETS's appointment rules. Conversely, if the home setup meets every requirement, rehearsing it can make the practical sequence predictable. Choose based on evidence from your own setup.

Before calling yourself ready, check three things separately: the identity process is complete, the technology passes and the room can remain compliant throughout the session. Then verify the institution's acceptance policy. Academic preparation and testing logistics need their own checks; a strong practice score does not certify either your room or your ID.

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## FAQs

When must I verify my identity for GRE at home?

ETS normally says at least 72 hours before the test. For a booking made inside that window, verify immediately; its page warns that failed same-day verification can prevent testing.

What changed for GRE at-home bookings from 31 March 2026?

At-home tests booked and scheduled from that date need advance identity verification in the IDVaaS app. The proctor still checks your physical ID on test day.

Do I need two cameras for GRE at home?

Yes. You need your computer's webcam plus a smartphone or tablet (iOS 12+ or Android 8+) as a second camera, connected by scanning a QR code during check-in.

Can I use paper for GRE at-home scratch work?

Not ordinary loose paper. Use the permitted erasable whiteboard or paper inside a transparent sheet protector, and erase all notes in view of the proctor.

Can I wear headphones during GRE at home?

No. ETS requires speakers and a microphone that is not part of a headset; earphones are also prohibited.

Should I check in 30 minutes before my GRE?

Use 30 minutes before as a preparation checkpoint. ETS instructs you to open the At Home Check-In link 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment.

Is there a break during the GRE at home?

There is no scheduled break in the standard 1 hour 58 minute test, and ETS prohibits unscheduled home-test breaks. Follow any separately approved accommodation instructions.

Do all universities accept GRE at-home scores?

Check the exact programme's admissions page. Some departments impose delivery-mode or test-date restrictions even though ETS offers the exam at home.

## Sources (checked 4 October 2026)

* [ETS: current GRE at-home equipment, room, ID and second-camera requirements](https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/register/at-home-testing.html)
* [ETS regional page: ID verification for bookings from 31 March 2026](https://www.kr.ets.org/content/ets-org/fr/en/home/gre/test-takers/general-test/register/at-home-testing.html)
* [ETS: home-test check-in, timing and technical troubleshooting](https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/test-day/at-home-test-day.html)
* [ETS: acceptable identification requirements](https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/register/id-requirements.html)
* [ETS: General Test structure and timers](https://www.ets.org/gre/test-takers/general-test/prepare/test-structure.html)
* [ETS: GRE Information Bulletin and security rules](https://www.ets.org/content/dam/ets-org/pdfs/gre/gre-info-bulletin.pdf)
* [CMU Computer Science: MSCS admissions and home-test date restrictions](https://www.csd.cmu.edu/academics/masters/admissions)

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