Post by mypassion on Feb 3, 2008 21:07:30 GMT 5.5
How Does the Computer-Based GRE Test Work?
Analytical Writing Section
The 2 writing tasks are delivered on the computer, and you must word process your responses.
For the Issue task, you will be able to choose 1 of 2 essay topics selected by the computer from the pool of topics.
The Argument task does not offer a choice of topics; the computer will present you with a single topic selected from the topic pool.
The testing software uses an elementary word processor developed by ETS so that individuals familiar with a specific commercial word processing software do not have an advantage or disadvantage. The software contains the following functionalities: inserting text, deleting text, cut and paste, undoing the previous action, and scrolling. Tools such as a spelling checker and grammar checker are not available in the software, in large part to maintain fairness with those examinees who handwrite essays at paper-based administrations.
Verbal and Quantitative Sections
The verbal and quantitative sections of the General Test are adaptive tests; that is, they are tailored to your performance level and provide precise information about your abilities using fewer test questions than traditional paper-based tests. At the start of each section, you are presented with test questions of middle difficulty. As you answer each question, the computer scores that question and uses that information, as well as your responses to any preceding questions and information about the test design, to determine which question is presented next. As long as you respond correctly to each question, questions of increased difficulty typically will be presented. When you respond incorrectly, the computer typically will present you with questions of lesser difficulty. Your next question will be the one that best reflects both your previous performance and the requirements of the test design. This means that different test takers will be given different questions.
Because the computer scores each question before selecting the next one, you must answer each question when it is presented. For this reason, once you answer a question and move on to another, you cannot go back and change your answer. The computer has already incorporated both your answer and requirements of the test design into its selection of the next question for you.
Each computer-based test section meets preestablished specifications, including the types of questions asked and the subject matter presented. The statistical characteristics of the questions answered correctly and incorrectly, including the difficulty levels, are taken into account in the calculation of the score. Therefore, it is appropriate to compare scores of different test takers even though they received different questions.
ETS has conducted research studies indicating that verbal and quantitative scores on the computer-based General Test are comparable to verbal and quantitative scores earned on the paper-based General Test.
Analytical Writing Section
The 2 writing tasks are delivered on the computer, and you must word process your responses.
For the Issue task, you will be able to choose 1 of 2 essay topics selected by the computer from the pool of topics.
The Argument task does not offer a choice of topics; the computer will present you with a single topic selected from the topic pool.
The testing software uses an elementary word processor developed by ETS so that individuals familiar with a specific commercial word processing software do not have an advantage or disadvantage. The software contains the following functionalities: inserting text, deleting text, cut and paste, undoing the previous action, and scrolling. Tools such as a spelling checker and grammar checker are not available in the software, in large part to maintain fairness with those examinees who handwrite essays at paper-based administrations.
Verbal and Quantitative Sections
The verbal and quantitative sections of the General Test are adaptive tests; that is, they are tailored to your performance level and provide precise information about your abilities using fewer test questions than traditional paper-based tests. At the start of each section, you are presented with test questions of middle difficulty. As you answer each question, the computer scores that question and uses that information, as well as your responses to any preceding questions and information about the test design, to determine which question is presented next. As long as you respond correctly to each question, questions of increased difficulty typically will be presented. When you respond incorrectly, the computer typically will present you with questions of lesser difficulty. Your next question will be the one that best reflects both your previous performance and the requirements of the test design. This means that different test takers will be given different questions.
Because the computer scores each question before selecting the next one, you must answer each question when it is presented. For this reason, once you answer a question and move on to another, you cannot go back and change your answer. The computer has already incorporated both your answer and requirements of the test design into its selection of the next question for you.
Each computer-based test section meets preestablished specifications, including the types of questions asked and the subject matter presented. The statistical characteristics of the questions answered correctly and incorrectly, including the difficulty levels, are taken into account in the calculation of the score. Therefore, it is appropriate to compare scores of different test takers even though they received different questions.
ETS has conducted research studies indicating that verbal and quantitative scores on the computer-based General Test are comparable to verbal and quantitative scores earned on the paper-based General Test.