Paper-based GRE

[KitCat]

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Does anyone know what, if any schools allow the paper-based GRE? I took the computer-based 3 times and my score was roughly the same all 3 times 😡 and if I had to take it a 4th time I've considered taking it paper-based if schools accepted it.

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[twelvetigers]

You really think that would make a difference?

 

[EngrSC]

You really think that would make a difference?

I feel like it could make a difference because the questions don't get progressively harder as you get them right! But I could be completely wrong ...

 

[Frozenshades]

I think you can do subject tests on paper, but in areas where the computer test is available I'm fairly sure they don't offer the paper-based for the general test, sorry.

 

[twelvetigers]

I feel like it could make a difference because the questions don't get progressively harder as you get them right! But I could be completely wrong ...

The whole scoring system is based on that. And really, it could help or hurt you. Harder questions means you've been doing well.

I'm pretty sure they don't really offer paper-based exams anymore unless you are on an indigenous island or something...

 

[ilovezeefishies]

Does anyone know what, if any schools allow the paper-based GRE? I took the computer-based 3 times and my score was roughly the same all 3 times 😡 and if I had to take it a 4th time I've considered taking it paper-based if schools accepted it.


Hey Kitcat,

Were any of those times with the new exam? I took both the old and the new. My verbal went down, but my math and written went up. I liked the new version because you could go back and forth between questions that were in the same section.

The old version was stressful, because you were not allowed to skip anything. But this time there were a few question that at first glance I had no clue what to do, but then I skipped them and came back to them and I was able to solve them. Also, I took a practice paper test, and my score was within 2 pts of my actual score for both V and Q. So I think they are pretty similar in terms of complexity and difficulty.

 

[KitCat]

You really think that would make a difference?

I guess I don't know for sure (maybe I'm just wishful thinking) but I feel like I did better on practice tests that were on paper vs. computer. I get migraines and eye strain pretty fast when looking at a computer monitor and i think under certain types of lights so I think that's why. Usually I just deal with it because its never been too big a deal but if its what's affecting my ability to do my best on the GRE I was thinking of taking the paper-based if I could.

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[StartingoverVet]

From ETS' website:

The paper based GRE revised General test is not offered in areas of the world where computer based testing is available.

 

[ilovezeefishies]

Hmm I know how you feel about the paper-based thing. My biggest issues was that on paper I can always recognize my mistakes during the writing portion, but for some reason on a computer screen my mind just decides to jumble it all together and decide something is correct that is clearly wrong. So the best way for me personally to combat that was practice.

I also know how you feel about the duration of staring at a computer screen. I do histology and dissect 2 cm complete digestive tracts all day, and staring at a white computer screen is still worse. Again, I just did as many practice exams as I could. Not the best advice, but I struggled with the same thing and I was able to muscle through it. I would recommend taking the short breaks that they give you. Close you eyes, and just rest your mind for those few minutes.

 

[jmo1012]

I guess I don't know for sure (maybe I'm just wishful thinking) but I feel like I did better on practice tests that were on paper vs. computer. I get migraines and eye strain pretty fast when looking at a computer monitor and i think under certain types of lights so I think that's why. Usually I just deal with it because its never been too big a deal but if its what's affecting my ability to do my best on the GRE I was thinking of taking the paper-based if I could.

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keep in mind the differences between taking a practice test and the real test with regards to stress and anxiety 🙂

also, the NAVLE is computer based and thats the big one that counts theoretically, so you're going to be faced with the same type of stressful testing again someday. at least in the world of med schools, there seems to be a push towards using computer based testing programs (and luckily for us SGU kids, that means SVM too 😡), so you may find yourself doing more computer based exams in the future.

if eye strain and migraines are an issue for you, you are for sure going to want to get that looked into/"fixed" before vet school! i didnt have those problems till coming here (i gets me because of all the microscope, dark lecture rooms, endless hours of making study guides, etc) 🙂

 

[Awendela]

My understanding of the new GRE is that:

1. You can only take paper-based where computer-based is available if you have a documented disability (testing within the last 1-3 years, depending on the disability) that would put you at a disadvantage taking a computer-based test.

2. The new GRE actually does not give you harder questions as you go. You can skip and go back within a section, and one section is at a general difficulty level (in a given range). If you do well on the entire first section of a given type (quant. or verbal), you get a harder second section of that type, but again, the variation for that section will only be within a specific range.

I could be wrong, but this is what I uncovered when I was preparing to take the test myself (I tested in August).

 

[485501]

I feel like it could make a difference because the questions don't get progressively harder as you get them right! But I could be completely wrong ...

The whole scoring system is based on that. And really, it could help or hurt you. Harder questions means you've been doing well.

I'm pretty sure they don't really offer paper-based exams anymore unless you are on an indigenous island or something...

That's for the old GRE. The new GRE doesn't have computer adaptive testing, it's just the same questions as the paper test, on a computer. I think it does give you a different second section for verbal and quant based on your score on the first section, but that's it. You can skip questions, and go back and change your answers, etc. now.

 

[twelvetigers]

Ah, good to know.

 

[kakurubird]

That's for the old GRE. The new GRE doesn't have computer adaptive testing, it's just the same questions as the paper test, on a computer. I think it does give you a different second section for verbal and quant based on your score on the first section, but that's it. You can skip questions, and go back and change your answers, etc. now.

👍

yeah, it adapts some between sections but not within them anymore.