Question Selection Algorithm Upgrade

In our continuing efforts to provide the most accurate GRE Test and GMAT Exam Simulators available, we've just released an update to our adaptive test question selection algorithm. The new algorithm includes adjustments based upon analysis of our question pools and an updated assessment of each question's difficulty ranking. We calculate these rankings by compiling statistics from the thousands of simulated sessions we generate for students each year and we use them along with direct feedback we receive from tutors and students worldwide to regularly enhance our question pools and algorithms.

Customer Queries: GMAT and GRE Simulator Software

Azli R. wrote:

I have a couple of quick queries regarding your Simulator software:

1. Will I need to download the Java Runtime software every time I want
to take a test?

2. Do I need a different access code everytime I want to take a test? Once I
enter an access code and choose to disconnect from the internet, do
I need to immediately go online again to get the results or can I wait
for a couple of hours / days to go online and get it?

3. Can I take and re-take the tests again or can these tests be taken
only once? If I can re-take, will I come across similar questions?

4. If I start doing a test, what happens if I have to stop mid-way?
Will it continue to score me based on where I stop or can I pause and
continue the test at a later time? If it continue to score me, can I
re-take the test again?

5. Will there be any explanation to the answers or will I simply get
the scores at the end of the online tests?

Azli, thanks for the queries! I've attempted to answer them all by number here:

1. No, the Java installation is a one-time requirement.

2. You need one access code for each simulated exam session and your results will be available indefinitely. You can review them at anytime.

3. If you retake an exam using the same question pool then you will most likely see several repeat questions. Each simulated session will require a new access code.

4. If you stop mid-way, just like during the real exam, you will not receive a score and your progress will not be saved. However, your access code will not be "used" and you will be able to reuse that code.

5. Yes, the scoring and review screens will provide answers as well as explanations.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Rick Jones

Customer Query: How does your Simulator differ from the real exam?

"Are there any differences (besides a home vs classroom environment) between your Simulator and the actual GMAT exam? Also, what other fees (including tax) are incorporated into the final fee for your access codes." - M. Sigel

Thanks for the interest in our Simulator software M. Sigel, I'll answer your queries in order:

• From a test taker's point of view, the only significant difference between our Simulator software and the actual GMAT software is that our software will use your currently configured monitor resolution. During the real exam, your testing center's monitors will all be configured to the same low resolution. So, if you use a high resolution to run our Simulator, you may be able to fit more text on your screen during practice, possibly requiring you to scroll less than you will on test day. If your are concerned about this difference, simply call your testing center and inquire about their monitor resolution. Then, set your monitor at home to mirror their resolution settings.
• There are no additional fees at checkout for access codes. The price quotes on our website is the final total price.

Customer Query: What does your GRE test simulator include?

Our GRE test simulation software includes all parts of the GRE test: AWA, Verbal and Quantitative.
Just like the actual GRE, our AWA section is presented in two parts: one "Analysis of an Issue" question and one "Analysis of an Argument" question. The AWA is followed by complete adaptive quantitative and verbals sections.
Our simulator software also includes:

• Our proven and highly accurate Scoring Engine
• Fully adaptive question algorithms
• Time management utilities and analysis
• Support for candidates with disabilities
• And much more...
  

For a full description of these features and more, please refer to our GRE test features listing page.

Hundreds of students have successfully used our accurate GRE test simulators since we first released the software over 18 months ago and our list of satisfied customers continues to grow daily.

What is a Computer Adaptive Test?

A Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) is tailored to the individual exam taker based upon his or her performance. Thus, every examinee will receive a completely customized set of questions during a CAT. Each CAT session begins with a question of pre-calculated difficulty and the selection of each subsequent question is based upon the current performance of the examinee; a higher current score results in the selection of a more difficult question and vice versa. In order to accommodate both high and low performers, a CAT must construct each exam session from a pool of questions much larger than the minimal set required by the specific exam's format.

Our exclusive performance dependent question selection algorithm: Unlike other study-aids for computer adaptive tests, Our simulated exam sessions are generated using the same formula you will experience during an actual CAT. Our question pools consist of large sets of pre-ranked questions, enabling our simulators' to provide a truly adaptive test session that mirrors the actual exam's behavior by isolating a test taker's performance level through a gradual adjustment of question difficulty.

Customer Query: Can I save my progress mid-exam?

"If I interrupt my session and log out of the system without completing the entire exam, will I loose all my work or will it allow me to continue the exam at a later time from the same point?"
-W. Adjei

Our Response:
"Thanks for your interest in our GMAT exam simulator. Our software simulates your real exam conditions in every possible way. By imposing time constraints and disallowing arbitrary breaks our software maintains a realistic simulated exam experience. Anything less would reduce your simulated session to nothing more than a set of practice questions. Read why practicing under realistic conditions is so important here. While we do support alternative exam configurations through our "Disability Options", we would strongly encourage you to not use that feature of our software unless you have received approval for alternative testing conditions from the Graduate Management Admission Council. If you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
Rick Jones
User Support
CATPrep.com

Customer Query: Can I give away my access codes?

"I used a number of other patent exam simulators for most of my review process, and only purchased a 2-pack of your access codes at the very end of my preparation process. I only used one, but it was great, and much, much superior than the ********* products. Honestly, it made a great deal of difference on the actual exam due to the similarity of MPEP searching...Thanks!

Anyway, I passed the USPTO registration exam, and would like to recommend your software to a friend. Since I have one unused access code, can I simply let them use it? Thanks again!"
-B. Golding

Our Response:
"Congratulations on your success with the USPTO registration exam and thanks so much for the kind words. We are pleased that our product assisted in your preparation. You are absolutely free to distribute any access codes you have purchased from us in any way you choose."

Kind Regards,
-Rick Jones, CATPrep

Customer Query: Why do I need to connect to the Internet during the login process?

"I don't have Internet access at home, so I want to know if your software is available on CD-Rom like several other GMAT practice software packages" --Y. Chen.

Y. Chen is not the first customer to write us with this query, so we decided to post our response here in an effort to explain why you must connect to the Internet for the login process when beginning a new simulated GMAT session.

Our GMAT simulator is not intended for question drills or standard practice exercises. Instead, our software delivers an accurate reproduction of the actual exam. Our simulated sessions rely on large pools of questions that are continually updated to reflect changes in the real GMAT.

If your GMAT software is available on CD-ROM, you can be sure that it is at least several months (if not years!) old. Unlike these stale unadaptive exams, each of your simulated exams generated with our simulator is unique and the question pool used for your simulation is updated by our software engine when you login.

Therefore, you must login to the exam with Internet access. However, you can disconnect after the login page and continue the exam without an Internet connection if you prefer.

So, while it may be slightly inconvenient for some users to begin their simulated GMAT sessions while connected to the internet, it is a small price to pay for the ability to sit for a realistic GMAT session with current questions, answers, and explanations.

CAT Prep move to new servers, Newsletter upgrade

We are pleased to announce that CATPrep.com has moved to new higher capacity servers this weekend. We've also simultaneously upgraded our Newsletter software to support our enthusiastic user community. Both moves will allow us to continue to provide quality services through our unprecedented growth.

Customer Query: How can I review my unanswered questions?

"I completed a simulated session using question pool #1 but time expired during my quantitative section and I did not reach the final three questions. When I click on any of these questions during a review session I don't see a question or the answer. Please tell me how to review questions that I left unanswered." --S. V.

This is a point of confusion for many test takers and you must understand a little about adaptive examinations in order to appreciate the answer. Our simulator selects your next question from a pool of available questions in an adaptive manner, just like the actual GMAT. After you complete a GMAT session, there are still many questions remaining in the question pool that were never presented to you and that you will never see.

This is a fundamental principle of an adaptive exam and it is the reason there is nothing to review for "unanswered questions." If you do not complete a section due to time constraints, your "unanswered questions" are not only not answered, they are in fact not even selected from the pool.

--Rick