<p>Thanks for the input. I googled CAT, computer adaptive testing, and found out some more things. For instance, it allows a fairly accurate score with a lot fewer questions (which is one reason the new linear test will be almost 2 hours longer than the current one). Also, with CAT each question is scored as you answer it and the overall score is immediately available (which is why you can "cancel" your score on the current test, or choose to send it off to colleges as soon as you finish). The new linear test will determine your score based in part on how other people do who took the same test, which I guess is why they are going to have to wait until they have three sets of test results to correlate and put out the final scores about six weeks after testing (they say subsequent test results will take about three weeks, which is what you get now with ACT, SAT, et. al.).</p>
<p>I saw something about how the first few questions may put you into a lower score bracket, depending on how you answer them, but it also said that with CAT the test is "self-paced", which I assume means you can take your time with it and no one tells you "times up, stop". Am I right about that? If so (self-paced), that plus being two hours shorter could be a big advantage if you're the type who runs out of steam and loses focus after a few hours. Plus with self-paced you can take the time you need to make sure you've answered the first few questions correctly and get in the higher bracket.</p>
<p>OTOH, if you hate the analogies and all the vocabulary, the new test would be better for that. On the math there's supposed to be less geometry and more statistics and probablility. More of the charts, graphs, and data tables you would be encountering in grad school. That could be a factor for some people too.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input.</p>
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OTOH, if you hate the analogies and all the vocabulary, the new test would be better for that. On the math there's supposed to be less geometry and more statistics and probability. More of the charts, graphs, and data tables you would be encountering in grad school. That could be a factor for some people too.
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<p>I kinda hate that and I kinda like it. For some majors, there is not any more math and whatnot after your BA and all. For example, I have a Literature/Theology major and I am voluntarily taking an extra math just for this test, basically. And, then I will just be one of those folks who never do higher maths because my majors do not call for it at the Graduate or Seminary level. </p>
<p>But, then it is important to try your best with these sort of things. Maybe that is why they are adding that nice onscreen calculator with a square root function?</p>
<p>No, there definitely is a time limit for each section with the CAT (30 minutes for 30 verbal questions and 45 minutes for 28 quantitative questions). I think you can however start the next section of the exam whenever you finish the previous section, that may be what the "self-paced" is referring to.</p>
<p>How does the "cancel" thing work? If you finish the current test and it shows you your score(s), suppose you don't like your scores,ie, mayby they're way below what you think you can do. Can you "cancel" them as in poof they're gone, no one ever sees them but you and all you're out is the money (testing fee)? With cumulative score reporting it might be nice to "erase" a bad score if you're ok with losing the money. Then you could just come back in a few days or weeks and retest and maybe do better.</p>
<p>Couldn't find any judgment on Princeton Review, but Kaplan is coming right out and recommending taking the current test while it is available, esplly as the scores are good for 5 years. They mention one thing my child would do poorly at with the new test and that is it's almost 4 1/2 hours long and not good for those w/o a lot of test stamina.</p>
<p>No offense to anyone who is looking forward to the new test. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. But I remember being so wiped out by the general test back in the dark ages I decided to go home and skip the subject test. I kind of made a grad school decision on the spot (but I did do well on the general test, just it was soooo long). It would be nice I think to avoid an extra two hours of testing.</p>
<p>OK. Found the cancel stuff on Kaplan. Apparently you choose not to see your score at the end and that cancels it. If you see your score you're stuck with it. I guess this is so if when you finish you just know that you blew it, or were sick, or know you didn't answer tons of questions, then you can cancel. Otherwise, if you think you did ok and see it, it's on your record for 5 years. Too good to be true that you could cancel it after seeing it!</p>