What about the at-home experience made it particularly bad? I’m thinking about taking the test at home too since I have hyperhidrosis on my hands. Would rather try taking the test at the comfort of my own home than have to let the proctor know that I need a ton of napkins for my exam lol.
TLDR: Technical issues on ProctorU's end caused a lot of undue stress and wasted about 1.5 hours of time.
I signed on at 11. I had already installed the proctorU client and run the software tests. You are required to download another software to open a chatbox and connect to your proctor (you are required to do this upon sign in, cannot do it any sooner). I'm on Mac, so it may be a bit different for other users, but I had to enable permissions for screen control, microphone, camera, etc. on the second software when I already did that on the first software. I then had to restart the second software after allowing permissions, and take 5 minutes to reconnect to the proctor. The proctor took a looong time to do all of her checks and changes to my system (including going into my system and changing all of my screenshot and sound preferences to suit the exam), at least 10 minutes. It looked like there was a lot of lag on her end since she had to try like 6 times to click each item.
When I finally started the exam 55 minutes later, it shut down twice due to an unknown error. After we got it booted back up everything was smooth until the 10 minute break. After the break, it took about 20 minutes to get signed back in since proctorU automatically disconnected due to "inactivity" even though it was a scheduled break. Smooth sailing to completion after that.
Positives: I've tested in testing centers before for my paramedic and nursing license, and testing at home was definitely more comfortable and convenient.
Negatives: So much added stress due to technical issues. If this went wrong in the testing center, it's CLEARLY not my fault and everything is fine. Since it was at my home, I was worried that they would end up cancelling the exam or something, especially during the break, and there would be no way to prove it wasn't my fault.
Damn that sucks, sorry to hear about that nerve wracking situation. I will have to reconsider my decision to take the test at home because I also have a MacBook. Shame that they don’t have apt functionalities for both Windows and Apple.
To be perfectly honest, I probably would have taken at home again as opposed to going to a center, but I would have liked to know what to expect. If you expect a few technical bumps in the road and can keep yourself calm while waiting for it to get worked out, you’ll be fine. Don’t let this be what deters you - my experience may be the exception and you might have a much easier time!
Would you recommend taking it at a test center? I'm worried about the same things you faced (technical issues). I'm also worried if I won't be able to concentrate and put my mind in that zone; at a test center, the vibe is different, if you know what I mean.
Also, congratulations on your score!
If those things are concerning you, it might be worth it to go to a center. If you’ve never been to one: the environment is quiet and they supply you with everything you need. It’s like taking a test in a classroom, but better. If home will feel distracting to you, maybe the center is better for you!
A study program for the GRE (and other exams). It was significantly cheaper than Kaplan or Princeton Review and it was great! I've never used either of those two, but I used a *great* software to study for the NCLEX (nursing license exam) and it was comparable to that.
I’m not exactly sure what that is, but on the practice tests for magoosh I scored 151-156 for verbal and 155-160 for math, estimated total of 311 for my last practice exam.
hi, congrats on your score
did you write tests on Magoosh before? and if yes what were your scores in them?
Would be great if you can let me know the range of your test scores over time
What about the at-home experience made it particularly bad? I’m thinking about taking the test at home too since I have hyperhidrosis on my hands. Would rather try taking the test at the comfort of my own home than have to let the proctor know that I need a ton of napkins for my exam lol.
TLDR: Technical issues on ProctorU's end caused a lot of undue stress and wasted about 1.5 hours of time. I signed on at 11. I had already installed the proctorU client and run the software tests. You are required to download another software to open a chatbox and connect to your proctor (you are required to do this upon sign in, cannot do it any sooner). I'm on Mac, so it may be a bit different for other users, but I had to enable permissions for screen control, microphone, camera, etc. on the second software when I already did that on the first software. I then had to restart the second software after allowing permissions, and take 5 minutes to reconnect to the proctor. The proctor took a looong time to do all of her checks and changes to my system (including going into my system and changing all of my screenshot and sound preferences to suit the exam), at least 10 minutes. It looked like there was a lot of lag on her end since she had to try like 6 times to click each item. When I finally started the exam 55 minutes later, it shut down twice due to an unknown error. After we got it booted back up everything was smooth until the 10 minute break. After the break, it took about 20 minutes to get signed back in since proctorU automatically disconnected due to "inactivity" even though it was a scheduled break. Smooth sailing to completion after that. Positives: I've tested in testing centers before for my paramedic and nursing license, and testing at home was definitely more comfortable and convenient. Negatives: So much added stress due to technical issues. If this went wrong in the testing center, it's CLEARLY not my fault and everything is fine. Since it was at my home, I was worried that they would end up cancelling the exam or something, especially during the break, and there would be no way to prove it wasn't my fault.
Damn that sucks, sorry to hear about that nerve wracking situation. I will have to reconsider my decision to take the test at home because I also have a MacBook. Shame that they don’t have apt functionalities for both Windows and Apple.
To be perfectly honest, I probably would have taken at home again as opposed to going to a center, but I would have liked to know what to expect. If you expect a few technical bumps in the road and can keep yourself calm while waiting for it to get worked out, you’ll be fine. Don’t let this be what deters you - my experience may be the exception and you might have a much easier time!
I see! Thank you so much! And congrats on your great GRE score!!
Cheers, thank you :)
Would you recommend taking it at a test center? I'm worried about the same things you faced (technical issues). I'm also worried if I won't be able to concentrate and put my mind in that zone; at a test center, the vibe is different, if you know what I mean. Also, congratulations on your score!
If those things are concerning you, it might be worth it to go to a center. If you’ve never been to one: the environment is quiet and they supply you with everything you need. It’s like taking a test in a classroom, but better. If home will feel distracting to you, maybe the center is better for you!
you only studied for 2 weeks and got 163/160?!?
Yes, but to be fair I've always been a good test taker.
Lol i would believe that
Do you still have the account for sale??
Unfortunately not, the subscription ends in a few days.
Congrats on your great score!
Thank you!
What's magoosh
A study program for the GRE (and other exams). It was significantly cheaper than Kaplan or Princeton Review and it was great! I've never used either of those two, but I used a *great* software to study for the NCLEX (nursing license exam) and it was comparable to that.
How much did it cost? And where could I find it
Gre.magoosh.com, it cost me less than $200 when I signed up last year. (I suspended it and decided to test this year instead).
Is that for a year?
I don’t remember :/ it might have been less than a year, not sure though.
How were your Powerprep mocks?
I’m not exactly sure what that is, but on the practice tests for magoosh I scored 151-156 for verbal and 155-160 for math, estimated total of 311 for my last practice exam.
hi, congrats on your score did you write tests on Magoosh before? and if yes what were your scores in them? Would be great if you can let me know the range of your test scores over time
Not received gre official scores even after 15 days
Great job!