My GRE Was Canceled. Now What?
If your test was postponed due to COVID-19, you may find yourself anxious and/or unsure about what to do from here. In this post I want to share with you your current options and address common concerns/questions.
GRE Testing Options
As of March 23rd, you can take the GRE at home
First, some good news if you’re super bummed about having to wait: ETS has decided to offer the option in some countries to take your test from home. If you’re eligible, you may be able to schedule an an-home test date for April or beyond—you’ll want to be sure to make sure you have the correct equipment (a computer that runs Windows and isn’t a Mac, for example) and physical location. ETS states that the interface will appear just like it would in a test center. You can read more about this option in our blog post here, or visit this link to register.
Some programs may change their deadlines—which means you may have the option to take it later than planned
But perhaps waiting to take it is not a bad idea. Even if you were facing a tight deadline, it’s possible that there will be programs that ease their deadlines given the current pandemic and resulting shutdown of much of society including test administration centers. If your test date was based on a tight timeline set by a school or schools in your application process, check with those programs to see what leeway there is under these new circumstances.
Common concerns/questions
How should this affect my GRE studying?
- Take a break
First and most importantly, in case you need permission from a GRE instructor and test preparation expert, it is fine to take a break. I’ll say it again: It is fine—even beneficial—to take a break. We’re in a global pandemic. The fact that half your brain is occupied thinking about how to get groceries while socially distancing yourself while worrying about older family members while wondering when all of this is going to pass means that studying for the GRE just got even harder than it already was. This is a time for all of us to cut ourselves some slack. Take a deep breath, step away from your study materials, and find your footing. A week, two weeks—or longer, depending on when it works best for you to take the test now. The GRE will be there when you get back. - Move into maintenance mode
Maintenance mode is what it sounds like: continuing to study regularly enough that you don’t grow stale/lose what ground you’ve gained, but not intensely that you wear yourself out or “peak” weeks before the test actually comes. You can study for several hours a week in maintenance mode and then amp up your study as your new test date approaches—a month or so before the test.
How am I supposed to focus in this global crisis?
It’s really tough, which is why I suggest taking a break. But when you’re ready to get back to it, there has never been a better time to incorporate a mindfulness practice into your study routine. I really like the free resources available here, but any kind of practice where you’re slowing your mind and focusing on the present—your breath, your physical sensations—is going to make everything easier: studying, planning, living.
Listen, apart from occasional yoga, I didn’t meditate for 37 years; I just started a couple of weeks ago. As a newbie myself, I will testify that it does help.
Any good GRE study tips during this time?
In a way, apart from all of the stressors of, well, the whole world right now, this is a great time for you to focus on your test prep! Ha. 😉
But seriously, there is a silver lining to this whole social distancing thing, which is that you don’t have to combat FOMO. You’ve just experienced a massive reduction in activities vying for your time and attention. It’s now basically down to: Netflix, or study?
Still, since studying alone can become lonely, you may want to think about creating or joining an online study group—I write about how to do that in another blog post here.
Final thoughts
I am sending you all well wishes and positive thoughts. If you need more support, reach out to us—our courses are all running online, and you’re invited to come sit in on one of our live online classes for free. Good luck, stay well, and know that we’re here for you whether that’s now or later.
RELATED: The Official GRE Can Now Be Taken From Home
Don’t forget that you can attend the first session of any of our online or in-person GRE courses absolutely free. We’re not kidding! Check out our upcoming courses here.
Mary Richter is a Manhattan Prep instructor based in Nashville, Tennessee. Mary is one of those weirdos who loves taking standardized tests, and she has been teaching them for 15 years. When she’s not teaching the LSAT or GRE for ManhattanPrep, she’s writing novels under the last name Adkins. You can find them wherever you buy books. Check out Mary’s upcoming GRE prep offerings here!