Frequently Asked Questions About the ETS® Personal Potential Index (ETS® PPI)

About the ETS® Personal Potential Index (ETS® PPI): The Basics

How does the ETS PPI relate to the letter of recommendation?

The ETS PPI and the letter of recommendation have important but distinct roles to play in an applicant's graduate admissions process. Unlike a letter of recommendation, the ETS PPI Evaluation Report provides standardized information based on your responses to a common set of structured questions about six key personal attributes. The ETS PPI Evaluation Report can incorporate ratings from a number of evaluators rather than just one, adding to the reliability of the report.

How do I sign up to become an evaluator for the ETS PPI?

Once you receive an invitation from a student via email, you can create your own ETS PPI evaluator account. You will be asked to enter a username, password, security question, the last four digits of your Social Security number (if applicable) and contact and institutional information. Once you have set up your account, you can log in to the ETS PPI site for evaluators to access your account at any time.

About Completing an Evaluation and the ETS PPI Evaluation Report

What do I need to know about the ETS PPI system?

To use the ETS PPI service, you will need Internet access and an email account. The ETS PPI system supports the latest production versions of Microsoft® Internet Explorer 7.0.5, Firefox® 3.0.7, and Safari® 3.2.2 browsers. If you access the ETS PPI website without meeting these requirements, some functions may not perform optimally or may be disabled.

How many evaluators does an applicant need to create an ETS PPI Evaluation Report?

The ETS PPI system allows an applicant to include the evaluations of up to five evaluators in a single ETS PPI Evaluation Report. Students and applicants are not limited to the same five evaluators for each report. They can choose different evaluators for different evaluation reports. They can also ask up to 25 people to evaluate them in the ETS PPI system.

About Managing Evaluation Requests

How does an applicant request an ETS PPI evaluation?

An applicant enters information for a particular evaluator and clicks "Send Request to Evaluator." An email message is then automatically sent to you, the evaluator, requesting that you complete an ETS PPI evaluation by the date designated by the applicant.

How do I accept or decline a request for an ETS PPI evaluation?

You will receive an email evaluation request for each individual applicant. To accept a request, click on the acceptance link within the original email for the specified applicant. If this is the first request you have received, you will then create a new account for the request to be accepted and associated with your account. If you have received a previous request, you can sign in to your account for the request to be accepted.

Within each email, a link is available to decline the evaluation request. Once this link is selected, you will be taken to the evaluator application where you can immediately decline, or sign in and decline in order to have a record of that action in your account.

Once you have made your selection, the applicant is sent an email from ETS indicating whether you have accepted or declined. The applicant will also receive an email when you have completed your evaluation and after all requested evaluations have been completed. You can view your evaluation requests and completed evaluations in your ETS PPI account.

Can the applicant see an evaluation?

An applicant will not be able to see any evaluations in the ETS PPI system itself. If the applicant did not waive his or her rights under the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), he or she will be entitled to see your completed ETS PPI Evaluation Report if the report is retained by the graduate or professional school. If a student did waive his or her rights under FERPA, he or she will not be entitled to see the completed ETS PPI Evaluation Report. An applicant's FERPA Inspection Waiver decision will be part of the applicant's ETS PPI Applicant profile. It will appear in an email message sent to you, as evaluator, and on each ETS PPI Evaluation Report sent to the institutions the applicant designates.

What happens after I complete an evaluation?

Once you have completed an applicant's evaluation, the applicant will receive an email indicating you have submitted your evaluation. After all evaluators have submitted their evaluations, the applicant will select the institution(s) to receive an ETS PPI Evaluation Report and the evaluations that should be included in the report.

About Sending Evaluations

Where can I find a list of institutions that receive ETS PPI Evaluation Reports?

In general, most institutions that receive GRE® test scores also receive ETS PPI Evaluation Reports. In addition, there are some institutions that do not receive GRE test scores but do receive ETS PPI Evaluation Reports. View a complete list.

How long does it take for an ETS PPI Evaluation Report to reach a designated institution?

After an applicant submits an order, he or she needs to allow a minimum of at least 15 business days for processing and delivery of ETS PPI Evaluation Reports to their designated institutions within the continental United States. Additional time should be allowed for delivery to institutions in other regions of the world.

How long does an applicant have to use their ETS PPI Evaluation Reports?

An applicant's ETS PPI Evaluation Reports will remain in his or her account for five years from the date they were completed.

What if an institution has questions about the identity of an evaluator?

Before submitting an ETS PPI evaluation, you must e-sign a statement confirming your identity and acknowledging that you have been informed of the potential penalties for misrepresentation. Evaluation Reports include your contact information, and ETS encourages graduate and professional schools to contact evaluators if they have any questions about their evaluations or if there are significant variations among the ratings. If an institution identifies any misrepresentation, they can take a number of actions including but not limited to dismissing the student from their program.

About Technical Requirements

Which browsers does the ETS PPI support?

ETS PPI supports the latest production versions of Microsoft® Internet Explorer 7.0.5, Firefox® 3.0.7, and Safari® 3.2.2 browsers. If you access the ETS PPI registration site without meeting these requirements, some functionality may not perform optimally and/or may be disabled.

Is this site secure?

ETS has established safeguards to help prevent unauthorized access to or misuse of your personal information. If you register for a web account, you will be asked to select a password to help protect your information. These passwords help us verify your identity before granting access or making corrections to any of your personal information. You should never disclose your password to anyone. ETS will never ask you for your password in an unsolicited phone call or email.

What if I forget my username and/or password?

For security reasons, ETS does not send usernames or passwords via email. If you forget your username and/or password, access "Returning Users" on the sign-in page of the ETS PPI system, click the "Forgot your username or password?" link, and follow the instructions provided on the screen.

What if I need to change my password?

If you need to change your password, sign in to your ETS PPI account, click the "Change Password or Security Question" link on your home page, and follow the instructions to change your password.

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