Have you taken the GRE test in the past couple of years?

1

Hi All,

I'm looking for people who have taken the GRE test in the past couple of years and are familiar with the current paperwork that needs to be completed in advance. Since the GRE is administered on a computer now, requesting accommodations is a different process than for other standardized tests. Can someone let me know if you've gone through the requesting accommodations process for the GRE recently? Specifically what you needed to do to get extra time and extra breaks? It appears to be a more complicated process than for other standardized tests.

While of course I'm sure there are people out there with experience from the SAT and other standardized tests, I'm specifically looking for people who have recently taken the GRE with type 1 diabetes.

Thanks everyone!

2

Define "couple of years." When I took it we still used cuneiform tablets for responding.

ps. You can get appropriate accomodations for the GRE, just like the SAT. But you need to document your condition (it is not trivial) and you need to do it well ahead of time.

3

No advice here on the accomodations but I just wanted to wish you luck! My daughter took the GRE on computer 2 years ago but she is not diabetic. It sounds like you're at the beginning of a wonderful adventure in grad school!

4

Thanks for the warm wishes!

5

Couple of years: 2 or 3.

Thanks for the tip, I've thoroughly explored that link. I know I'll ultimately have no problem getting the accommodations I need, there's just conflicting information on exactly what paperwork to provide. While I certainly can sort it out by calling ETS, I thought I'd post of TuD just to see if anyone has done it recently.

6

My daughter took the LSAT's this summer. They are very security conscious now and won't let you bring in any purses, backpacks, cell phones. She had to put personal items in a clear ziplock baggie. The only food or drink allowed had to be in a sealed bottle or can. When my son took the GRE's they were on computers with cameras aimed at him. What specific accomodations would you need as a diabetic. I would think you could bring supplies in as long as they were clearly labeled.

7

I've heard the LSATs are much stricter than the GREs. From the ETS website I understand it's no problem to get extended time, unlimited breaks, and to have snacks and my meter and cgm with me in the room. I know with the proper documentation I'll be able to get all of this-- I just wanted to know if anyone on TU had been through the process of getting the paperwork filed, but given the lack of responses, it seems like maybe not!

8

Hi Sophie,

Apologies for resurrecting a dead thread.

I’m just wondering how you got on with the GRE accommodations in the end? I had been planning to sit the exam for some time but was recently diagnosed with Type 1 which has delayed things somewhat. Several weeks on, I have reasonable control but find I go low very quickly in exam-type situations. Did you manage to get extra time and extra breaks? Have you (or anyone else who has been through the process!) any advice?

Thanks,

Ciarán

9

Hi Ciaran,

I hope all is okay as you get used to life with Type 1. The GRE is totally doable with diabetes, as long you as you plan in advance! Contact ETS (they have a department just for medical accommodations) and get in touch with your endocrinologist. It’s a fairly straightforward process of getting accommodations as long as you file the appropriate paperwork. What they do on the day of the exam is they put you in your very own room (just you and you alone!) which has a big window and a proctor looks in on you for the duration of the exam, but you will be allowed to stop the clock and pause the exam whenever you want to go to the bathroom, eat a snack, drink some juice, test your blood sugar etc. I didn’t request extra time, but surely since you are newly diagnosed, if you feel you need double time, or time and a half, absolutely have your endocrinologist put that in the letter when asking for the breaks, etc. Something like, “Because Ciaran has been recently diagnosed … extra time will be required …”

I actually just found in my email the letter my doctor wrote to ETS 4 years ago. I’m going to copy it in below my signature.

Actually a perk for having accommodations (you should clarify this is still true) is that there is no extra experimental section with accommodations. So every section counts, and the exam is about 30 minutes or so shorter.

Let me know if you have any other questions – I’m here!

All best,
Sophie

To Whom It May Concern:

_____ has type 1 (juvenile, insulin-deficient) diabetes mellitus. The goal of her treatment with an insulin pump is to keep her blood sugar as close to normal as possible. Blood sugars are constantly changing and therefore it is difficult, despite good management, to maintain blood sugars in the expected target range. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) as well as low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can cause inability to concentrate, dizziness, headache, fatigue, blurred vision and weakness. I am writing to request that she be given additional time for breaks during the GRE as she may need the additional time to attend to the medical demands of her diabetes.

It is necessary for _____ to always have with her: juice, glucose tablets, and snacks (to treat a low blood sugar), water, a blood sugar monitor, her continuous glucose monitor (CGM) receiver, glucose test strips, lancets and lancing device. Please note, she will be wearing her insulin pump and continuous glucose sensor during the exam, and will need to check the CGM receiver during the exam to assess her blood sugar control.

If necessary she should have time to recover from a low blood sugar and be allowed to have bathroom breaks in case of high blood sugar.

Additional time for learning and test taking helps the patient with diabetes take the appropriate steps to control blood sugars and optimize their performance. Therefore it is necessary to allow for extended break time during exams to use the bathroom, get a drink or to treat hypoglycemia/hyperglycemia without penalty.

_____ is doing an excellent and responsible job caring for this difficult and challenging disease. I thank you in advance for providing her with the time to also excel in her academic pursuits while also performing the necessary self-care tasks demanded by her diabetes.

Please feel free to contact me for additional information.

Sincerely,
My Doctor