If you’re planning to take the GRE at home, stop right there. This blog post is your wake-up call. As someone who’s worked with hundreds of students over the years, I’m sharing this urgent message:

Do NOT take the GRE at home. Always go to a test center-even if it’s inconvenient.

I’m not saying this lightly. I’m saying this because students are literally getting banned-some for six months, others for a whole year-just because they took the GRE from home. Their dreams of grad school are being delayed or even destroyed, and I don’t want that to happen to you.

Why ETS is Cracking Down on GRE at Home Tests

Over the past few months, ETS (the organization behind the GRE) has become extremely aggressive about canceling scores from at-home test-takers. Here’s what’s happening:

• ETS is looking for red flags. Even small inconsistencies in your performance-like a high Verbal score and low AWA score-can trigger suspicion.

• They’re canceling scores without giving students a chance to explain.

• They’re banning test-takers for months, effectively destroying their entire application cycle.

In one case I personally saw, a student improved their GRE score significantly in their second attempt (nothing abnormal in my opinion), but ETS canceled the score citing the jump as “suspicious.” They also pointed out a mismatch between the student’s AWA and Verbal scores and banned the student for a full year.

Imagine preparing for months, giving your best, scoring a 325 – and then getting your scores canceled and banned for a year.

Even If You’re Innocent, You Could Be in Trouble

Let me be clear: I’m not saying people are cheating. Many students who get caught in this storm are completely innocent. But ETS is not taking chances. If they even suspect something is off, they’re canceling first and asking questions never.

This means even genuine test-takers who studied hard and did everything right are getting caught in the crossfire.

GRE at Home = Admission Rejected?

It doesn’t end there. Even if you somehow survive the ETS crackdown, many universities are not accepting home-based GRE scores anymore.

Let that sink in.
Your GRE score could be:

• High
• Reported by ETS
• Delivered to the university

…and the university can still reject it just because it was from a home-based test.

Several of my own students had their scores accepted and reported-only to be told later by universities:

“We don’t accept home-based GRE scores. Please take it again at a test center.”

One student had a low GPA but worked extremely hard to get a 325 on the GRE from home. The score was reported, but the university rejected it-just because it was from home.

Risks of Taking the GRE at Home

Here’s what you’re gambling with if you choose to take the GRE at home:

• Risk of score cancellation

• Risk of being banned for 6–12 months

• Risk of wasting your entire application cycle

• Risk of your money going down the drain

• Risk of universities rejecting your score

Compare that to taking the GRE at a test center, where:

• There’s minimal risk of bans or cancellations

• Your score will be accepted everywhere

• Your effort and money won’t go to waste

Already Banned? Here’s What You Can Do

If you’re someone who’s already been banned by ETS, don’t lose hope.

One of my students who was banned for a year successfully appealed by writing to ETS. He said:

“Give me one more chance. I’ll take the GRE at a test center. If my score is vastly different, keep the ban. If not, please lift it.”

Guess what?

• ETS allowed him to retake the GRE at a test center

• He got roughly the same score

• ETS lifted the ban

• Refunded his money

• Allowed him to send scores to 10 universities for free

If you’re in this situation, write to ETS. Be proactive. Ask for a chance. It has worked before, and it can work again.

Final Word: Don’t Risk It

Your GRE journey is too important to risk over something avoidable. Yes, test centers may be far. Dates may not be immediately available. But the risks of taking the test at home are just not worth it.

• Take the test at a test center.
• Protect your score.
• Protect your admission.
• Protect your future.