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10 commonly asked questions about score reporting for GRE, IELTS & TOEFL

December 21, 2021April 1, 2024Dilip Oak's Academy

The application season for Fall 2022 is at its peak, and we know that many students have doubts about sending free and additional scores to the universities. Here’s what our experts at the Academy have to say about the most common questions on score reporting for the GRE/IELTS/TOEFL tests.

1. What is free score reporting?

At the time of the GRE and TOEFL tests, you can mention the names of four universities and its departments for sending scores as a part of your test fee without any additional charges. It is called free score reporting. Likewise, at the time of the IELTS test, you can mention the names of five universities for free score reporting.

2. How much will it cost to apply to universities other than the four mentioned for free score reporting?

If you apply to universities other than these four, you will have to request additional score reports by paying charges to ETS, Princeton. The additional score report for GRE will cost $27, and for the TOEFL, it will cost you $20 per university.

3. What is the additional score reporting fee for the IELTS?

The additional score report for IELTS will cost you Rs 250 (for online) and Rs 1500 (by courier through IDP website)

4. When should I send my test scores to the universities?

Once you have finalized the universities, send your score reports. They take around 7 to 15 days to reach the universities so you need to send them well before the deadlines.

5. Do I need to send my scores to universities offering GRE waivers?

No, you need not send your scores officially but you can upload the score card with the online applications.

6. Should I send the GRE score report directly to the university or through the ETS?

Some universities ask you to upload a scorecard at the time of the application and once you receive the admits, they ask you to submit the scores through the official ETS website.

7. How to send the score reports of the TOEFL?

For the TOEFL, the majority of the universities require you to submit the scores only through the official ETS website.

8. How long are my GRE scores reportable?

The GRE scores are reportable for five years following the test date. 9.

9. How can I order additional score reports?

Additional score reports can be ordered either online, through your official ETS account, by mail, or by fax.

10. Can I pay for these score reports through a debit card or online transfer?

Yes, you can pay through Credit Card, Debit Card, and PayPal. But we recommend you to pay through Credit Card.

For any additional questions or guidance related to sending your scores, filling out the applications, and financial documentation, you can seek help from our experts by enrolling for our admission counselling services today! You can also drop us an email at support@dilipoakacademy.com and we will get back to you!

As India’s leading Study Abroad Consultant, Dilip Oak’s Academy offers a comprehensive suite of admission counseling services that can guide you through the entire process from Shortlisting Universities to Visa Counseling. With our expertise, we have successfully sent 32,000 students to various prestigious American universities like MIT, Stanford, Cornell, and Carnegie Mellon. We also offer classroom and online coaching for GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS, as well as GRE Self Prep. To explore our services, book a free consultation or call us at 91-20-67444222.

Taking the At-Home GRE: Guidelines and things to remember

May 31, 2021December 21, 2022Dilip Oak's Academy

Amid the pandemic, many of you could not take the GRE at the test centres and have had to postpone your GRE dates ahead. There is a lot of uncertainty regarding availability of test centres and test dates which is why the ETS has started the ‘GRE at Home’ edition in order to enable students to take the test from anywhere at their convenience and safety.

The ‘GRE at Home’ is identical in format and pattern to the test taken at the test center and the test dates are available seven days a week. The student has to take the test on his/her own computer at home and it will be monitored by a human proctor online through ProctorU®

To register for the test, visit https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/ today!

But before you do, make sure you are aware of the technical requirements, registration process and things to do before and on the test day. In this blog, we will quickly run you through these points.

Firstly, your computer must meet the equipment requirements for the test. This will mean you have to install the ETS Test Browser and the ProctorU Systems Check on your machine (desktop/laptop). During the test, a human proctor, via video camera, will monitor you and your computer screen to ensure you follow procedures: the entire test will be recorded and your photo will be taken, which will be made available as part of your score record to the institutions you designated. Additionally, there are certain environmental parameters you must follow.

Here are the Equipment and Environment criteria in detail:

EQUIPMENT:

1] Computer:

Must be a desktop or laptop computer, not a tablet or mobile device
Cannot be a Mac® computer or use an iOS® operating system
Must use Windows® operating system, versions 10, 8, or 7

2] Speaker

Must use an internal or external speaker to hear the proctor
Headsets or wireless earphones are not allowed
Recording devices of any kind are strictly prohibited

3] Microphone

Must use an internal or external microphone to communicate with the proctor
Must not be a part of a headset
Recording devices of any kind are strictly prohibited

4] Camera

Can be a built-in camera in the computer or a separate webcam
The camera must be able to be moved to show the proctor a 360-degree view of the room, including your tabletop surface, before the test

5] Note-taking Materials

You CANNOT take notes on regular paper
You can take notes using a whiteboard with erasable marker or a plastic transparency sheet and erasable marker
You will be asked to erase all notes in view of the proctor at the end of the test

Once your equipment and systems checks are complete:

Download and install the ETS Test Browser on the computer you will use for the test
Run the ProctorU® System Check from the computer you will use for the test

ENVIRONMENT:

1] Privacy

You must be alone in a quiet, well-lit room
You cannot communicate with anyone else; no one else can enter the room during the test
Make sure you can be seen on camera by the proctor: DO NOT MOVE during the test as suspicious movements could invalidate your test
Testing in a public space such as a park, internet cafe or restaurant is not allowed

2] Tabletop and seating

Your computer and keyboard must be on a desk or other tabletop surface
The tabletop and surrounding area must be clear of all items not approved for use during the test: MOBILE PHONES, RECORDING DEVICES, HEADPHONES, EARPHONES are NOT ALLOWED
You must sit in a standard chair; you may not sit or lie on a bed, couch, or an overstuffed chair
Food and drink are not allowed during the test

3] Clothing and appearance

Your face must be visible: DO NOT wear sunglasses or other accessories
Your ears must remain visible throughout the test: DO NOT cover your hair with a hat or other items
DO NOT wear jewelry, tie clips, cufflinks, ornate clips, combs, barrettes, headbands, and other hair accessories
You must be dressed appropriately for your test: you will be monitored via camera by the proctor, and your photo will be shared with institutions that receive your scores

Important links to be followed step by step:

1] Primary link: https://www.ets.org/gre/at-home

2] Equipment and Environment Checklist: https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/equipment/

3] Registration with ETS: https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/ets-account/

4] Registration with ProctorU: https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/proctoru-account/

5] Testing Experience: https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/test-day/

Taking the GRE® General Test at Home: On Test Day

The GRE General Test at home is the same as the GRE General Test you take at a test center. It will cost the same as taking the exam at a test center. The score delivery timing and acceptance of the scores by university programs are also the same. Once you have registered for the GRE General Test at home, on the day of the test, you must ensure the following:

Before the Test:

Log in to your ProctorU account at your appointment time
You will have up to 15 minutes after your scheduled time to begin your check in: if you have not checked in by that time, your test will be canceled and your fee will not be refunded
Select “Start Session”
Complete the authentication steps, which include showing your ID to the proctor: the name on your ID must match the name on your ETS account
The proctor will review the exam rules and request access to your computer screen for monitoring purposes
The proctor will ask you to use either a hand-held mirror or cell phone to show your computer screen
The proctor will ask you to use the camera on your computer to show a 360-degree view of the room, including your tabletop surface
When directed by the proctor, you will launch the ETS secure web browser: the password to access the test will be provided by the proctor

During the Test:

The test has six sections with a 10-minute break following the third section and one-minute breaks between the remaining sections
You are required to remain in your seat for the one-minute breaks
You are allowed to leave your seat during the 10-minute break: if you do not return on time, your test will be canceled and your fee will not be refunded
Unscheduled breaks during the at home test are not allowed

After the Test is Completed:

At the end of the test, you will be given the option to report or cancel your scores
If you choose to report your scores, you will be able to view unofficial Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores
You will not be able to view your Analytical Writing scores at the end of your test
If you elect to report your scores, you will be asked to choose up to four score recipients as part of your test fee

For more details, you can visit the official website: https://www.ets.org/s/cv/gre/at-home/

Things to remember:

Please make sure that you are alone in the room throughout the duration of the test. If anyone enters the room, you are required to justify and this process could cause you to lose out on time
Connectivity issues and other unprecedented technical glitches (power cut) can occur. Make sure you communicate it to the proctor so that you do not fall short on time
While solving Quant problems on the transparency sheet, remember that the space on the sheet is limited and you can only solve 3 to 4 questions at a time. Once you erase them for the next question, you cannot go back to refer to your rough work. Therefore, try to solve the problem in one go before moving on to the next
Make sure that you DO NOT read any RC passage/Quant problem or any text on the screen aloud as it could go against the test protocol

Jumpstart your GRE Prep with Oak’s exclusive Study Plans

September 7, 2020December 23, 2022Dilip Oak's Academy

One of the most important steps in preparing for the GRE is planning your study schedule. Many a time, despite being fast learners, students fail to score high in the GRE only because of haphazard study methods. A structured prep plan helps you to systematically cover all the topics, manage time, and stay focused and motivated until your test day. At Dilip Oak’s Academy, along with GRE Coaching, we guide our enrolled students to study in a methodical manner through our exclusive GRE Study Plans.

Depending upon your GRE date (ETS registered/tentative), we provide you with a customized study plan for either 1 month, 1.5 months, 2 months, 2.5 months, 3 months, 3.5 months or 4 months.

Each study plan includes a step-by-step preparatory guide with day wise and week wise guidelines for Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing Sections of the GRE.

While each study plan varies according to the duration, it broadly includes:

Vocabulary Learning and Practice
Verbal Reasoning strategies and practice
Quantitative Reasoning strategies and practice
AWM essays brainstorming
ETS Material Practice

All the study plans comprise rigorous learning and practice modules for each of the above sections. To help you keep a track of your preparation, we also send you daily and weekly goal-setting reminders.

Along with these, the study plans also include access to our exclusive online learning tools: Focused Practice, Test Prep and CBTs that help you study in a more organized manner and allow you to track your progress.

Focused Practice

Reinforcement of the classroom coaching by helping you keep in sync with the concepts, tricks, and tips taught in the class
400+ questions for Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning
Topic-wise questions for Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning

Test Prep

Personalized Dashboard to track your progress
Customized according to the question types and difficulty level
Convenient timed and untimed modes for practice
Instant Review and question summary
In-depth explanatory answers to gauge where you stand

CBTs

Actual GRE® test experience with full-length timed tests according to the ETS® pattern
AW essay scores and personalized feedback by our experienced evaluators
Detailed Analysis of your performance to help you gauge your strengths and weaknesses
Explanatory Review to help you understand what went wrong and how to get it right the next time

Who can avail the study plans?

Only those students who have enrolled for GRE Coaching at Dilip Oak’s Academy can avail these study plans. To jumpstart your GRE prep and unlock our comprehensive study plans, register for our Online GRE Coaching.

You can then request for the suitable study plan by submitting us the details of your enrolled batch, Roll Number and GRE Test date on gre@dilipoakacademy.com.

The plan will be sent directly to your inbox on your registered email ID.

What are you waiting for? Register for our October 1 GRE batch here: https://www.dilipoakacademy.com/gre-online.html and along with study plans, avail 30% discount on the coaching fees!

The SMART way to boost your GRE Prep (part 2)

July 27, 2020December 17, 2022Dilip Oak's Academy

In our earlier blog, dated 20/07/2020, we laid the groundwork for the preparation of the Quantitative Reasoning Section. Today, we will study the SMART way to fine-tune your GRE preparation and achieve the desired score.

Solve

Use your scrap paper effectively. Develop a habit of solving the questions stepwise and systematically as it will help you on your actual test day.
Stick to one source of material throughout the course of study.

Manage

You are expected to complete 20 Questions in 35 minutes for the Quant section that averages nearly less than 90 seconds per question.

Ensure that you understand all the concepts irrespective of the time taken. Starting your preparation well on time would ensure that you have enough time to master all your concepts.

Once the concepts are clear, aim to solve questions in a stipulated time frame.
A well-devised study plan will set you right on track. In short ‘Plan Your Work And Work Your Plan’

Adapt

Understand the different question types and their nuances so that you can use suitable techniques for solving them.

The GRE questions are relatively easy to solve but sometimes difficult to comprehend because of their verbosity (complex and confusing construction). So read the questions carefully to reveal the hidden concept/s, which, most of the time, may be very familiar.
Sometimes, questions that seem relatively easy have some trap set for you, and most of the students fall for it. The answer choices are also designed in such a way that they lead you to a trap.

Review

Note down important formulae, theorems, properties, etc.
Maintain a log of topics you have covered and classify them based on their difficulty level so that you can focus accordingly.

Train

We need to understand some factors which may affect our performance on the actual Test Day.

Get rid of your mental blocks like examination phobia and loss of confidence. Discussing with the faculty members or counselors could help.

Train yourself to remain undaunted even if you come across difficult questions in the beginning because the difficulty level of the questions keeps changing and you may get a simpler question subsequently. We strongly suggest you take our 5 practice tests (CBTs) to boost your confidence. Our CBTs are designed as per the ETS pattern and the score you obtain could give you an idea of your actual GRE score.

Remember, consistency and hard work are the two main elements required for success in any field. Using the SMART approach discussed above will set you on track for your preparations for the GRE.

Warmup for GRE Quant (Part 1)

July 20, 2020December 17, 2022Dilip Oak's Academy

Following are some ways to ensure that you build a strong foundation to achieve your targeted Quant score.

Understand your syllabus: Download the ETS Math Review pdf file available for free download on the ETS website, which will give you an overview of the syllabus and solve these questions to familiarize yourself with the format of the GRE Math section and its question types.

Brush up your basics: GRE Math has four main sections: Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry and Data Analysis, which you have already studied at your school and junior college level. However, a recap of these topics will definitely help you start flexing your Math muscles.

Multiply your speed: Get familiar with numbers by learning your multiplication tables, squares and cubes. This will not only reduce your dependency on the on-screen calculator but also save a lot of your solving time.

Factor out your math phobia: The GRE Math focuses on the application of basic Math concepts, which can be mastered with a little bit of practice. Remember: no trigonometry! no calculus!

Following these guidelines will definitely build a strong foundation for your Quant preparation. In our next article, we’ll help you gear up your preparation by discussing some key strategies.

Amidst the pandemic, when do I take the GRE and start my application process?

July 1, 2020December 22, 2022Dilip Oak's Academy

Spring 2021

The coronavirus pandemic has severely affected education systems worldwide, and most US universities have moved to online coaching for the fall 2020 session. If you are planning to join an American university in the spring 2021 semester, be aware that this has a few downsides. So it would be a good idea to postpone your plans to the fall 2021.

Firstly, it will not be possible to give the GRE in July due to the ongoing lockdown, and the chances of giving it in August are also bleak. Therefore, it will be difficult to complete the application process before 31^st August which is generally the deadline for spring 2021. Secondly, there is no guarantee that your visa will be processed in time or that you will be able to join for the spring semester.

A ‘GRE at Home’ option has been made available but it is not feasible: for one, the stringent equipment prerequisites are difficult to meet and further, questions are being raised about the fairness of online tests.

Considering this, it is safer and wiser to prepare for fall 2021, for which, you must take the GRE before mid-Jan 2021. Most universities also accept scores until March end so; you can plan to take the test accordingly. To help you kick start your preparation, we offer online coaching for GRE which is at par with classroom coaching. Our online classes are interactive, and over 1000 students have already enrolled with us. Check out our GRE online batches here: https://www.dilipoakacademy.com/gre-online.html

Meanwhile, you can proceed with your application process. Aim to finish it by March 2021, before the university deadlines. At Dilip Oak’s Academy, we also provide admission counselling and guide you through the entire application process. For details, visit: https://www.dilipoakacademy.com/study-in-usa.html

GREat Five-Minute Reads: Episode 12

June 26, 2020June 23, 2023Dilip Oak's Academy

Dear Reader,

One of the easiest ways to learn new words is through association. Instead of trying to learn by remembering the equivalent of a word in your mother tongue or its usage in English, you can learn by thinking of words in groups. These groupings can be grammatical: all action verbs or nouns related to knowledge (ending with -logy), for instance; or logical: as found in our VocabApp.

Today, all our links and questions are about pictures and photographs, which can be helpful in recollecting a bunch of words. Here are some of those words, see how many you can guess correctly.

Question 1

For a ______ like myself, there was no wrong age to take up photography: I just had to get a smartphone!

A] tyro

B] sage

C] transgressor

Question 2

The light cast by the setting sun is the most _____________ and hence, it is known as the Golden Hour in Hollywood.

A] voluble

B] voluminous

C] luminous

Question 3

Whenever I look at these pictures of people from my past, I am filled with _________.

A] nostalgia

B] animosity

C] catharsis

Question 4

4] The only surviving picture of my great-grandmother is a small painted __________.

A] frieze

B] vignette

C] coda

Question 5

Editors often __________ black-and-white photos with colour images to choose the best ones.

A] riddle

B] amalgamate

C] juxtapose

Tell us your guesses in the comments section and look for the answers in our next edition!

Here are some articles you might interesting:

Hi-Res in Space!

Everyday Exemplars…

Recycling Could Help You Make Millions

Answers for last week’s questions:

1] “We found the glass splashed on little pieces of bone that were by the hearth, so we know that the molten glass had landed in this village while people were living there,” said coauthor Allen West, a member of the Comet Research Group, a nonprofit organization aimed at studying this particular cosmic impact and its consequences.

2] B] No magnetic marks, characteristic of lightning strikes, were found.

3] A] Climatic changes

4] B] exceptional D] atypical

5] A] imitate D] prevalent

GREat Five-Minute Reads: Episode 11

June 18, 2020June 23, 2023Dilip Oak's Academy

Dear Reader,

As promised, from this week onwards, we will present some old and some new articles along with questions on Reading Comprehension, Sentence Equivalence, and Text Completion from the Verbal Reasoning section.

Tell us your guesses in the comments section and look for the answers in our next edition!

Dinosaurs weren’t the only ones!

Question 1

Select a sentence in the article that provides evidence that the comet struck while the village was under human habitation.

Question 2

Why did the scientists rule out earthly causes such as volcanic activity or thunderstorms for the fires? Select all that apply.

A] They found evidence that natural sources of fire can also reach such high temperatures.

B] No magnetic marks, characteristic of lightning strikes, were found.

C] Molten metal was not found at the site.

Question 3

None of the following were reasons for the Abu Hureyra culture becoming agrarian EXCEPT

A] Climatic changes

B] Technological modifications

C] Survival of a few people

D] Animal husbandry

E] Ground-breaking invention of systematic agriculture

Alterations to Art

Question 1

The presence of halos as identifying appurtenances of holy figures in early Netherlandish paintings is as ________ an occurrence as it is commonplace in Italian paintings of the same period.

Select the two answer choices that, when used to complete the sentence, fit the meaning of the sentence as a whole, and produce completed sentences that are alike in meaning.

A] trite

B] exceptional

C] recognizable

D] atypical

E] perceptible

F] sacral

The representation of mortals as saints, reflecting a desire to (i) ________ the lives of the saints and to follow their sacrifices and devotion to Christ, becomes increasingly (ii) _______ in the early sixteenth century. The practice reflects an extension of the beliefs of and widespread adherence to the Modern Devotion, a popular reform movement begun by Geert Grote in the late fourteenth century and initially practiced by the Brothers of the Common Life.

Question 2

For each blank select one entry from the corresponding column of choices. Fill all blanks in the way that best completes the text.

Blank (i)	Blank (ii)
A] imitate	D] prevalent
B] animate	E] predictable
C] stipple	F] pretentious

GREat Five-Minute Reads: Episode 10

June 12, 2020June 23, 2023Dilip Oak's Academy

01101000 01100101 01101100 01101100 01101111

We celebrate the big 10 with a nod to big transformations and changes! From the tiniest of organisms to the infinite vastness of space, small changes tend to have big repercussions. From the next edition of the reading list, we will change too. To know more, keep following our lists.

Happy Readings!

Look out for a new Reading List every week on Thursday!

GREat Five-Minute Reads: Episode 9

June 8, 2020June 23, 2023Dilip Oak's Academy

Dear Reader,

As the end of the lockdown nears, we are on cloud nine. Let us remember to dress to the nines as we take solace in the fact that we went the whole nine yards in our fight against coronavirus, boredom, and Zoom fatigue! With prompt implementation of the lockdown and its subsequent easing, we have proudly proven that “a stitch in time saves nine”.

Read on to know more about the ninth edition of the reading list:

GREat Five-Minute Reads: Episode 8

May 29, 2020June 23, 2023Dilip Oak's Academy

As mindfulness (OED: a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique) becomes the buzzword, scientists are now claiming that the mind is more than what we imagined! This week, we present some audio-visual treats to keep your mind and body happy and humming!

Look out for a new Reading List every week on Thursday!

GREat Five-Minute Reads: Episode 7

May 22, 2020June 23, 2023Dilip Oak's Academy

Going into the fourth (and hopefully, final) iteration of the lockdown, forgive us for getting a little philosophical. As the quotidian becomes dishearteningly humdrum — jokes abound on how no one knows nor cares what day of the week it is — it is time to find transcendent beauty and muse on how the ordinary becomes extraordinary with patience and passion.

Here’s hoping this week’s reading helps you find your desire, something you can pursue with diligence and dedication, so, you too can achieve for perfection in an imperfect, kaput world.