The GRE is now computerized so here we are with the facts of the matter to dispel the clouds of ignorance.

Instead of presenting a preset mixture of questions, the GRE CAT selects questions based on your performance. It begins with a question of average difficulty. If you get that question right, the computer shows you a harder question; next--if you get it wrong, the CAT gives you an easier question. So if you keep getting questions correct, the questions will increase in difficulty. If you slip & make some mistakes, the test will adjust & start giving you easier problems. The CAT adapts to your performance this way. GRE CAT Questions are not all worth the same to your score. How much a question raises or lowers your score depends on the position of a question. Questions early on in a CAT section will affect your score more than one later on. That's because the computer makes larger scoring jumps in the beginning of a section to approximate your scoring level--then making smaller jumps to fine-tune your score. You can only get a high score if you answer enough medium problems correctly to see the hard problems. The overall number you get right is not as important as the level at which you start getting about half the questions wrong. On the CAT, you see only one question at a time, and once you answer a question it's part of your score, for better or worse. You can't go back to a question later on. That means you cannot skip around within a section and do questions in the order that you like. Instead, you have to do your best to get a question right the first time you see it. (This is just one example of how CAT strategies differ from strategies for the traditional Paper & Pencil test.) While the structure of the GRE CAT is very different from that of the Paper & Pencil GRE, it has exactly the same question types: Verbal, Quantitative (Math), & Logic. The test consists of four or five sections. Three sections count toward your score. The scored sections can be presented in any order, & have the following basic characteristics: In addition to these three scored sections, there is one "experimental" section that looks just like one of the three scored sections but does not count toward your score. Since this section looks just like one of the scored sections, it's important for you to do your best on it too--you won't be able to tell which section is the experimental one anyway. Sometimes, there's a fifth section called the "Research Section" which does not count toward your score either. The Research Section is optional.You can take as long on any one question as you like, but pace yourself to answer the all the questions in each section in the allotted time. Since there is a penalty for unanswered questions you should answer every question, even if you have to guess at random on the last few in order to finish the section on time.

GRE tips : Some schools take your highest GRE score; some average your scores; students at higher-ranked graduate schools tend to have higher GRE scores, some schools will waive application fees for students with high GRE scores, numerous state & federal financial assistance programs are based in part on GRE; many graduate programs base financial aid packages, including fellowships & teaching assistantships, on GRE scores; the earlier you apply to grad programs, the better your chances of acceptance, on the Paper & Pencil GRE, you lose no points for wrong answers; on the GRE CAT, you lose more points for skipping a question than getting it wrong; so answer everything on both tests; the GRE tests knowledge of content (math/vocabulary) and test-taking skills; those with a Master's degrees earn, on average, 30% more than those with just a Bachelor's; PhDs earn twice as much.

You can schedule to take the GRE CAT on most business days.

For more information : 1. Go to USEFI Churchgate

2. Go to www.ets.org

3. Go to www.gre.org

The TOEFL is going computer. Here are the frequently needed answers about the new test. Although you do not need to rely on former computer experience, taking a test on computer is a very different from one on paper. Although there will still be same three sections on the test: Listening Comprehension, Structure & Written Expression, & Reading Comprehension, there will now be a required essay. You will have a choice of typing or writing it by hand. On the current paper exam, your score is determined by the total number of correct answers. However, on two sections of the new TOEFL it will be the difficulty level of the questions answered correctly that will determine your score, not the number of correct answers. During the Listening & Structure sections, the computer will give you questions based on how well you are answering. If you keep answering correctly, the test will increase in difficulty & give you harder questions; if you make some mistakes, the test will adjust & start giving you easier questions. The Reading Comprehension section will remain more like the paper test; you will receive a score based on the total number of correct answers level. Benefits of this are that with computer testing you can sign up & choose a day & time that is convenient for you; you will also get your scores quickly--an estimated score will appear after the test. Two weeks later, you will receive the official score. For the Listening section, headphones & volume control will lessen distractions from background noise & you will be able to control when you continue to the next conversation or talk. Disadvantages are :The computer test will only show you one question at a time, & you will no longer be able to skip around & answer easy ones first. Once you click on the "confirm answer" button, you will not be able to go back & change your answers like you could with the paper exam. The highest score on the computer TOEFL will be 300, while 677 was the highest for the paper test. A comparison scale will exist for a few years so that students & educational institutions can compare the old & new scores. Once the computer TOEFL is available in a country, the paper test will no longer be an option. Most countries, except a few in Asia, will convert to the computer TOEFL in July. The computer exam will cost $100 in the USA, US Territories & Canada, & $125 in all other countries. For updated information about the computer TOEFL, check the Educational Test Service's web site.