Coping With the GRE CAT Adaptive Mechanism

October 22, 2008

The "CAT" in "GRE CAT" stands for "computer adaptive test." Of course, you know what "computer" and "test" mean, but "adaptive" may not be as clear.

In short, every section of the GRE adapts to your ability level. To get an idea of how this works, imagine you're a serious baseball fan, and when you meet a new person, you try to figure out if he or she is a serious baseball fan, as well. You might start with a easy-to-medium level question--"What's your favorite team?" If they sound like they know what they're talking about, you might get more specific: "Do you think Mike Mussina will pitch better next year?" If they sound clueless, you might make it easier: "Have you ever been to a baseball game?"

In essence, the GRE does the same thing. It determines your ability level by giving you easier or harder questions so it can pinpoint just how well you know the material.

The GRE CAT In Practice

We can make some generalizations based on what I've said so far. First, no two tests will be identical. If you get the first question right and the person sitting next to you gets the same question wrong, the next questions the two of you see will be different.

Next, your score isn't based solely on the number of questions you answer correctly. Sure, more right is good, more wrong is bad, but it also matters how difficult those questions are. If the only questions you miss are hard ones, you're in better shape than if you made careless errors on a bunch of simple problems.

Another effect is on your time management. If you're doing well, you'll see harder problems. Harder problems can be more time-consuming. If you're just barely able to finish practice tests in the allotted time, you could be in trouble if you do particularly well on test day.

The Psychological Effects of the GRE CAT

Because adaptive tests are so different than traditional paper-based tests, it's easy to let them mess with your mind.

Avoid the following:

It's important to know how the CAT works (that's why you're reading this article, right?), but only so you don't have to think about it during the test. More crucial is to focus on one question at a time and paying careful attention to your time management. There's not a lot you can control in an adaptive test, so limit yourself to what you can accomplish.

Jeff Sackmann is a test-prep tutor based in New York City and the author of Total GRE Math, among other GRE and GMAT resources.

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