The exams are the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE®) General Test, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT®) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®). With computer-based testing, test takers click answers on a computer screen with a mouse instead of penciling ovals on an answer sheet.
The GRE moved to computer in 1993. The GMAT switched entirely to computer in October, 1997. The TOEFL will make the transition in July, 1998. The Princeton, NJ-based Educational Testing Service is the company making it happen and researchers believe it will improve admissions testing for both test takers and users.
"The move to computer-based testing means assessments are better tailored to each test taker's ability level because they don't spend time answering questions that are too easy or too difficult," explains ETS president Dr. Nancy Cole. "ETS pioneered this technology and it is revolutionizing the world of measurement. There are fewer questions than paper-based tests, year-round testing, more privacy during exams, faster score-reporting and the promise of better assessments now and new types of questions in the future."
"The value of technology to improve learning
and assessment is undisputed," says Cole. "Computer-adaptive
testing holds far more promise than just speedier testing. It
allows us to measure differences that paper-based tests could
never identify. This new technology allows educators to accurately
assess people from different walks of life with different skills
and knowledge and to do so fairly."
With the computer-adaptive format, test takers receive a set of questions that meet test specifications and generally are more appropriate for their ability level. Test specifications determine the total number and types of questions asked as well as the subject matter presented. The CAT starts with a question of average difficulty. If the test taker answers the question correctly, the next one generally will be of the same or higher difficulty. If the test taker answers incorrectly, the next question will generally be of the same or lower difficulty. Subsequent questions are presented based on both the test taker's performance on previous questions and on the test specifications.
Another difference is that only one question is presented at a time. This means that test takers can only concentrate on the question before them. This also means that test takers cannot skip questions or change answers. If they make a careless error or answer correctly due to a lucky guess, the adaptive nature of the test will lead the test taker back to questions of appropriate difficulty. For two test takers who provide the same number of correct answers, the one answering the more difficult questions will get a higher score.
Testing program staff are already excited about
the move to computer and the increased use of performance-based
questions. "For the GRE, a Mathematical Reasoning Test and
a Writing Test will be added to the current verbal, quantitative
and analytical measures," says GRE Executive Director Judson
Sheridan. "The new math test will measure a test taker's
ability to use principles learned in first-year calculus and other
basic college courses. It will be appropriate for students planning
to study in the physical sciences, mathematics and engineering."
The new writing test will measure general writing ability and
how effectively the test taker presents and sustains a coherent
discussion of views on an issue.
Improvements to the GMAT, beyond the obvious benefits of being computer-based, will be introduced over the longer term. Fred McHale, Executive Director of the GMAT, explained that future questions will address cognitive areas beyond verbal and quantitative reasoning. "We plan to design tests to measure leadership and listening skills," McHale says. "We will also be customizing them to the selection and diagnostic needs of schools with different missions."
The TOEFL will become computer-based next summer and will also include some new types of questions. "For the first time, students taking the Listening section will listen to dialogues, talks and group discussions on personal headphones while they see context-setting visuals on the computer screen," says Julia To Dutka, TOEFL Executive Director. The program is also adding an essay to the test. The move to a computer-based TOEFL is part of a long-term project called TOEFL 2000. "By using the computer and including more performance-based tasks, we will provide better information about students abilities to use English in academic settings."
The new computer-based tests will be offered worldwide at Sylvan Technology Centers®, test centers at specified universities, and at ETS field offices and other locations around the world. Testing will be available year-round in many sites. Test takers will be able to make appointments within a few days of testing by calling the toll-free number of their local test center. However, test takers should consider admission deadlines and call early to maximize chances of getting preferred test dates at the most convenient center.
ETS has created several useful software products
to help students prepare for the new tests. For the GRE, there
is a POWERPREP® Software Test Preparation for the GRE General
Test. For the GMAT, test takers may order POWERPREP®
Software: Test Preparation for the Computer-Adaptive GMAT, Release
2.0. For TOEFL, a computer tutorial package with 67 practice
questions will be available on CD ROM in Spring, 1998. Additional
information on these and other ETS tests can also be found on
the following Web sites:
Back to Virtual Educational Advising Office
Back to OSEAS-Europe home page