Paper Based GRE?

[Lab Rat83]

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Has anyone ever taken it? If so, did you find it easier than the computer based test?

 

[EllieGirl89]

Has anyone ever taken it? If so, did you find it easier than the computer based test?

I took a paper-based practice test. You'd think it would be "easier" because you can skip questions and go back to questions and the questions are what they are. However, I took the paper-based test before I'd studied at all, and got the same score as I did when I took a computer-based test without any studying or understanding of the test.

Besides that, it doesn't really matter-I'm pretty sure that you cannot take the paper-based test in any country where the computer based test is offered readily. Only in places where there is no computer access.

 

[Lab Rat83]

I do have the option of taking the paper based test. Which is why I'm wondering if I should take it.

 

[that redhead]

Although I didn't take the actual paper test, I've always thought I would have done better on the paper version versus the computerized version. For reading comprehension especially, I like to underline and make notes, which helped me improve my score when I took paper-based practice tests. For math, it's annoying to have to look down from the computer screen to look at your scratch paper and transfer the information, etc. There's always the risk of miscopying something, too.

I don't think my score was that drastically effected, but I would prefer to have taken the paper-based, if it had been an option for me. I think it most likely depends on how you are as a test-taker in the end, though.

 

[sumstorm]

I took it over a decade ago as a paper based exam. I much prefer paper to computer for this test, because you can skip questions, mark up the exam (particularly for reading passages) and flip back and forth between the passages and questions. Given the option, if it didn't hold any consequences, I would take paper instead of computer.

 

[Lab Rat83]

Blahhhhh....I just checked the availability of the paper based test which is offered in PEI. The only available dates are November 20th (smack in the middle of exam prep time) or February 12 which would be too late!

I have to think about this. Thanks everyone for your input. I think I might just bite the bullet and do it on November 20th (it's also a tad cheaper🙂

 

[Tonkamoo]

From practice tests I found I scored higher on paper based verbal tests, and lower on the math - because paper based tests are not adaptive.

So on a computer test - I tend to always miss at least one or two math questions (stupid mistakes) but I got a lot of the really hard math questions correct, and they are waited based on difficulty. So on a computer based test I scored really high because I missed easy ones and got hard ones right, whereas on the paper test it just matters the number you get right, and they don't weight difficulty.

So depending on your testing style, you may score slightly better on one type of testing style than another.

 

[Armymutt25A]

I took the paper test in 1996 and the CAT this year. I think I like the CAT better because I could get it over with and not have to wait around, plus the whole knowing your score immediately was really nice.

 

[goldielocks137]

I second Armymutt. With the CBT there is much more flexibility in when you can take the test. I was able to take it at 2:00, which is much better than 8 since I would have had to wake up way early and drive in morning traffic to get to the test center. You start it when you want, if you finish a section early you can go to the next one. I remember taking the SAT and having to wait for the time to expire on each section, then being forced to take a break with everyone else, and not being able to leave right away. The CBT is much more laid back and you can take it at a time that is convenient. If you want to take the ten minute break you can, or you can take a two minute break.