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GRE Strategies: Overview Articles


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Each member of a research group visited either the Virgin Islands or Hawaii...
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CAT Strategies

Information provided by Petersons.com

A CAT differs from a traditional paper and pencil test both in how it works and how it determines your score. Plan your test-taking strategy with this in mind.

On the CAT...

the computer shows you only one question at a time and does not allow you to see the next question until you've responded to the one at hand. You can't go back to change an answer once you've responded and gone onto the next question. So you should...

  • Double-check your answers before moving on. If a question is taking a long time to complete, cut your losses. Eliminate answer choices you know are wrong, guess one of the remaining choices and move on. Don't get bogged down.

On the CAT...

it is easier to change the computer's estimate of your ability at the start of the test than at the end of the test. So you should...

  • Spend more time on the early questions in order to make sure you get as many of them right as possible. On the first third of each section you should double check your work before moving on.

On the CAT...

there is a penalty for unanswered questions: any questions at the end of a section that you do not reach will hurt your score. So you should...

  • Make sure you answer every question on the test. If you have any questions left as time runs out, guess the answer to these questions rather than leave them unanswered. Getting them wrong will hurt your score less than not answering them at all.

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