Friday, March 12th, 2010

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Test Dates and Centers


Subject GRE Test Dates

If you are a prospective graduate student considering Subject GRE, the first thing you need to do is select a test date. There are three dates allotted every year for GRE subject tests. So it is better to select the earliest-possible date so that your scores reach the target universities and graduate schools on time for consideration and admission. The deadline for registration is closed two months from the test date. So better plan the studies and registration carefully.

The GRE Subject Test dates for the academic year 2007-2008 were:

  • October 6, 2007
  • November 3, 2007
  • April 12, 2008

The Subject Test Dates for this year, i.e., 2008-2009 are yet to be announced.

For detailed info, you may visit the ETS website and check on the registration, scoring and test-date updates.

Best time to take the Test

  • The GRE Subject tests are held thrice a year in October, November and April and hence there are no general specific dates. The specific dates allotted for every academic year is announced that very year.
  • So it is completely up to you to decide when you want to take the test and the center.

Arguably, the best time to take a Subject GRE test is between September and December. But this is the high-traffic period, when most of the test-takers seek to avail this period to appear for the test. So it is better to register early if you want a date between September and December. Even getting the desired test center can be a problem during this period. But whatever may be the hindrances, undoubtedly this is the best time to go for the test as once you are done with the test, you can go and enjoy the festive season and the winter. The April test can be a little painful as that is scheduled amidst the academic year, so the preparation may suffer if you have some other courses to take care of. Whereas if you avail the time from September to December the year is on the tail end with most of the assignments taken care off already and once the test gets over you can zoom off with the Winter and the Festive Season. (not required)

Test Centers for GRE Subject Test

Test centers for Subject GRE exams are available in almost every nook and corner around the globe. You can contact the appropriate test center within reach and get registered for a Subject GRE exam.

If you are an Indian student and thinking of taking the Subject GRE exam, it might be useful for you to know that Sylvan Testing Services Pvt. Ltd. is an ETS franchise that conducts the GRE subject tests in India. It has 11 distinct GRE testing centers spread all over India, here’s the list,

  • Allahabad
  • Bangalore
  • Mumbai
  • Kolkata
  • Coimbatore
  • Hyderabad
  • Chennai
  • New Delhi
  • Pilani
  • Ranchi
  • Trivandrum

If you are an international student, you can search for a favorable Subject GRE test center in your county, city, state or town by searching at this site,

http://etsis4.ets.org/center/cbt_dm.cfm

The test centers are filled up on a first-come-first-serve basis during the process of registration.

A look at any of these links may also help you while choosing your test center for a Subject GRE test,

Test Center procedure and regulations

Here’s a list of procedures, rules and regulations that you need to adhere to on the Subject GRE test date,

  • First and foremost, wear some clothes that are comfortable and can easily adapt to any room temperature.
  • Provide authentic and apt identification details including a thumb-printing verification, videotaping and photographing, and some other electronic ID confirmation. You need to adhere to all of these or else your permission for the test will get cancelled and the test fee will get forfeited as well.
  • Anything personal other than your identification details and documents are not allowed inside the exam hall. So no cellphones, PDAs or Blackberry devices. The attendants at the test center will give you guidelines as to where you need to submit all your personal items before the test begins. All extra accessories like scarves, hats and jackets are subject to inspection by the test administration board. Failing to stand up to any of the criteria will entitle you for a dismissal from the test center.
  • Your seat will be assigned to your by the test administrator. So on reaching the test center, walk up to the administrator with your admission ticket and find out your seat.
  • If any friend or relative accompany you on the test day to the test center, they won’t be allowed to enter the hall or maintain any contact with you during the test hours. Except from the ETS-authorized supervisors, you are not supposed to talk or consult with anybody.
  • In case of weather disturbances or any hindrance beyond the control of the ETS, the tests may start a little late. The test may also get re-scheduled if required. In case the session is cancelled or your scores go un-reported, you as a test-taker, will be given the opportunity of another test appointment free of any charges or a full refund of the test fee already paid. You can also contact ETS for a re-imbursement of the conveyance expenses. Contact them within 30 days from your appointment date with your name, date of birth, mailing address, contact number, email address, test date and registration number. Also put a brief description of the hindrance at the test center and you will be reimbursed the amount in U.S. dollars.

Subject GRE is essentially a paper-based test. So apart from the general rules described right now, there are a few more, which get added to the list.

  • Carry your photo ID and admission ticket positively to the test center.
  • Test administrators may not consider request for a schedule change so be there on time.
  • Carry a few sharpened soft lead pencils and a nice eraser. Mechanical pencils and pens may not help. Neither would either of the pencil or eraser be supplied at the test centre. So it is always better to carry one yourself.
  • Once the test materials are distributed no test-taker will be allowed in.
  • No papers or chits are allowed inside the testing room.
  • You are not supposed to leave the exam hall without taking the permission of the test adviser and no extra time will be allowed.
  • Match your watch with that of the test administrator before the test commences as he is the official time-keeper and only he can signal the time for the test to end.
  • Turn off cellphones and don’t consider them for any time management.
  • Any answer to a multiple-choice question answered in the test book is not entitled to be checked. So put all the answers in the separate answer sheet. The test book can be used for rough calculation purposes.
  • As time is called, return the test book and the answer sheet to the administrator without any delay.

Changing your Test Center or Subject Test

If you postpone the exam at least seven days before your scheduled date, you would have to pay an additional $50 to reschedule. Else, the entire fee is forfeited.

Dismissal from a subject GRE test center

You can be dismissed from a test center for a number of reasons. An ETS authorized test administrator has every right to dismiss you from a test center during a test session and even the ETS scores for that particular subject GRE paper can get cancelled. Why? These are the reasons:

  • Failing to provide some authentic identification
  • Trying to take test on behalf of someone else or having someone else taking the test for you.
  • Obtaining foul access to the test or some other information about the test
  • Any attempt to give or receive assistance, including any discussion about test content during and after the test. No communication is allowed during the test session.
  • Possessing a cellphone or using it during the test session.
  • Using any non-prescribed aid during the test like a pager, a mechanical pen or pencil, a watch, a calculator, a beeper, notes, books, pamphlets, notes, cellphones, dictionaries, translators, or any kind of photographic or hand-held electronic device.
  • Disruptive behavior in the test hall that cannot be toleratted and creating any sort of a disturbance can force the test administrator to dismiss you and he has the sole authority to decide on the factor.
  • Trying to remove any test content from the test center. None of those can be disclosed or discussed with any other person or entity even outside the test center.
  • Leaving the test room during test sessions without permission of the supervisor
  • Carrying a firearm or weapon with you into the test rooms
  • Taking often and un-scheduled breaks during the test
  • Referring through or working on any section of the test when you are not supposed to do that.
  • Fetching food or drinks in the testing room

Failing to adhere to any of the regulations mentioned in the GRE test bulletins which is specified in the test material.

Supplementary test centers of subject GRE

  • In case you are more than 125 miles from the nearest Subject GRE test center scheduled for a particular test then you can request for a supplementary test center.
  • To make this request, you need to send a written copy of your plea along with your completed registration form and the fee.
  • Now, this should reach the ETS by the special registration deadline scheduled for the Subject GRE paper.
  • You also need to include the name, the address of an institution and staff members who are willing to administer the test on behalf.
  • Also mention whether you would prefer a refund or a different test date in case the center can’t be guaranteed.
  • Also give a detailed description as to why the available test centers do not appear suitable for you.
Subject GRE Test Papers

Subject GRE Test Papers

Subject GRE Test Papers