Due to COVID-19, many GRE testing sites around the nation are unable to open and operate. The very few sites that are open tend to be extremely far away from many students and lack diverse times in their appointments. The GRE board understands this, so they have recently implemented an online, remote version of the exam that you can take at home. Many students will have to do this, as it seems to be the only solution other than driving 4+ hours to take a 4 hour test. Due to the COVID-19 situation, I think that colleges should consider waiving the GRE for the following reasons:

1. The GRE is $205 each time it is taken, and even more money to send scores. Many students have struggled financially during the pandemic, and this is not reasonable to ask during this time.

2. The at-home test bans the use of scrap paper--you can only use a whiteboard that you must erase.

3. You are proctored for 4 hours. You must download all of the required software for ProctorU as well as ETS.

4. You must run the Windows operating system, versions 10, 8 or 7 or MAC, using Mac OS X 10.5 or higher.

5. If your at-home system fails, such as your wifi cutting out, your computer freezing, or a parent accidentally interrupting, you fail. Down the drain goes your $205!

The environmental, financial, and equipment requirements for the GRE are simply not reasonable to ask of students. I hope that colleges and universities recognize this and take initiative by waiving the GRE requirement for 2021 graduate students.