It’s almost test day! Hopefully, you’re excited to finally put all the GRE skills and knowledge you’ve acquired throughout your GRE prep to work. Of course, you may have been so focused on learning GRE content and strategies that you haven’t given much thought to the practical matter of what to bring to GRE test centers so that you can have the best test day possible.

In this article, we’ll give a checklist of the items you need to bring with you when you sit for your GRE, and the items you’ll want to bring with you.


Although you can’t bring personal items such as a backpack, purse, wallet, or cellphone into the testing room with you, you will have the option of storing those and other personal items in a locker outside of the testing room. Keep in mind that locker space at test centers is not infinite, and there are many items, such as a cell phone, tablet, calculator, or dictionary, that you’re not allowed to access during your breaks even if you store them in your locker. (Keep in mind also that there is an on-screen GRE calculator that you’ll be able to access during your exam, and you will be provided with scratch paper for note-taking.) So, don’t go crazy packing everything but the kitchen sink into the bag you take to the test center. Test day is definitely a time to “pack light”!

Before we review the items that you should bring to your GRE, let’s take a quick look at some items that you absolutely should not bring to a GRE test center.


First off, there are very few items that you’re allowed to bring into the actual testing room with you, so anything else you carry into the test center will have to be stored in your locker. Electronic devices such as cell phones and watches, your travel mug or to-go cup of coffee, your water bottle, your sunglasses, even your pocket change — all of these items will have to be stored in your locker (or left in your car, if you drove to the test center). Furthermore, you can expect that pretty much the only items you’ll be able to access during your break, regardless of what you have stored in your locker, will be food, beverages, and necessary medications. So, to reiterate, you’re better off bringing only those items you absolutely need into the test center.

That said, items such as firearms and other weapons are strictly prohibited at test centers, both in the testing room and in your locker. Remove the Swiss army knife from your keychain and the scissors from your backpack. If you’re unsure whether a particular item would be considered a weapon, err on the side of caution and leave it at home.

With the exception of wedding bands and engagement rights, jewelry also is not allowed in the test center. Your best bet is to take off any jewelry you’re wearing — earrings, bracelets, necklaces — the night before your exam, so that you don’t have to worry about doing so (and risk forgetting to) on the morning of your GRE. You’ll probably be asked to remove other accessories such as cufflinks, headbands, and barrettes before you enter the testing room, so best to leave those at home, too. Likewise, before exam day, be sure to empty the pockets of the clothing you’ll be wearing and clean out the bag you’ll be bringing to the test center, so that you don’t inadvertently carry in a prohibited item and, consequently, get turned away from the test center. It’s also a good idea to double-check the test center regulations on ETS’s website to make sure you’re in compliance with the rules on personal items.

Another “item” you definitely can’t bring with you to the test center is a buddy. Friends, family, and “plus ones” will not be allowed into the building with you, and you won’t be able to leave the test center during your break to get a quick hug from mom in the parking lot. So, if someone wants to offer you moral support on test day, he or she will have to find a very comfortable seat at a nearby coffee shop because the GRE is a long exam.

Now that we know what not to bring to GRE test centers, let’s take a look at the items you’ll need and want to have with you on test day.



Right now, a global pandemic is affecting every facet of our lives, and the GRE is no exception. In fact, many GRE test centers are still closed due to COVID-19. However, some test centers have reopened or will be reopening soon, and there are new safety measures those locations have implemented in order to ensure a hygienic environment for test-takers.

On your end, you will likely be required to wear either a medical or cloth face mask at the GRE test center, for either some or all of the time you’re at the test center (including during your exam). Confirm the guidelines for your region, because public health measures vary depending on location, but as of the writing of this article, test centers in all regions are requiring face masks. Make sure to bring a mask that you know will be comfortable to wear for several hours straight, so it doesn’t become a distraction (or fog up your eyeglasses) during your exam.

For the time being, even if your test center does not require you to wear a mask, you can bring one anyway. You’re also permitted to wear rubber gloves during your exam, although they are not required.


This is your ticket for entry into the GRE test center. For obvious reasons, ETS (the maker of the GRE) takes security pretty seriously, so during the check-in process at a test center, you’ll need to bring a valid identification. Valid ID documents cannot be photocopied or expired. An international travel passport, government-issued driver’s license, or government-issued national/state/province identity card is considered an acceptable form of ID.

Make sure that the first and last name on your identification exactly match the information you provided to register for the GRE, and that your ID contains a signature that matches your name and a photograph that is recognizably you. If the name on your ID doesn’t match the name with which you registered for the GRE, you won’t be allowed to take your exam.

In fact, it’s not a bad idea to bring a second, backup ID just in case the exam administrator has any issue confirming your identity. Although a second ID isn’t required for check-in, ETS states that “you are encouraged to bring at least two forms of acceptable ID each time you report to a test center,” so better safe than sorry, right?


If you’re taking the computer-delivered GRE, you actually are not required to bring your test appointment confirmation email from ETS to your exam; however, there is really no reason not to bring it, just in case (and you will need it if you’re taking the paper-based GRE). When you’re headed to the airport, it’s good to have your flight information on hand, even though you don’t need it to board the plane, right? So, print your confirmation email to show the test administrator in the event that there is any confusion about your test appointment.

If you received a fee reduction voucher for your GRE, you do need to bring your Authorization Voucher with you to your exam, whether you’re taking the computer- or the paper-delivered GRE. For test-takers who haven’t received a test fee reduction or waiver, you don’t have to worry about this requirement.