[nabs-l] taking the GRE

[Arielle Silverman]

Hi all,
I took the GRE way back in 2007 and many things have changed since
then. For the most up-to-date information, I suggest contacting Ruth
Loew, assistant director of disability policy at ETS, at
rloew at ets.org
She has been involved with NABS for a long time and is very interested
in helping blind students navigate the accommodations system.
I do know that you can get Braille prep materials for the verbal and
math sections. You can choose to take the test using Braille, large
print or through a reader. There was an accessible "self-voicing"
version of the computer test that can be taken independently via
computer, but I believe that since the test changed recently, we are
still waiting for the new self-voicing version to be finalized and
made available to test-takers.
If using Braille, I believe the only way to mark your answers is with
a reader, at least until the self-voicing test is ready. You are
allowed to use a Perkins Brailler to write the essays for the writing
section and to do scratchwork for the math section, but you will
eventually need to dictate your Brailled essay to the reader.
One disadvantage of the Braille test is that it is the "paper-based"
test, while the reader-administered and self-voicing versions are the
"computer-based" test. Nowadays most of your sighted peers applying to
grad school will be taking the computer test, and also the computer
test is scored instantly, whereas the paper test takes a while to be
graded. However, there are obvious advantages to using Braille if you
are a Braille reader. I personally think the self-voicing test is the
best option, when it becomes available, as a blind test-taker can
complete it independently and there is no risk of having your score
affected by a reader's mistakes in recording your answers. However,
each person's accommodation decision is an individual one of course.
If you decide to use a reader rather than Braille to complete the
test, I would suggest doing all your practice and studying with
readers rather than with Braille, so you can get used to answering
questions and processing the information in this way.
Best,
Arielle

On 5/26/12, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hi,
> I might need this if I try grad school. Also, how long will the test take
> when you get extended time? What subjects are tested?
> How can you mark your answers? I'd opt for braille if they can provide it in
>
> braille. But you cannot mark in a braille test.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Reinhard Stebner
> Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2012 10:31 AM
> To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
> Subject: [nabs-l] taking the GRE
>
> Are there any totally blind people on this list who have taken the GRE and
> could give me prep advice as well as how the actual test administration was
> done? For example, did you have a reader who was provided or did you use
> assistive technology? Also, what prep mete4rials did you use. Thank you for
> your help.
>
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