Here you'll find "screen shots" that show what you'll actually see on your computer screen during different GRE sections. You'll also learn how to use the point-and-click computerized testing interface and how to use the GRE's built-in word processor (for the GRE essays).
The "Titlebar" (all exam sections)
During every exam section you'll see the same basic Titlebar across the TOP of your computer screen. Here's a sample:
LEFT CORNER shows the time remaining in the current section (the time is displayed in hours and minutes, but not seconds).
.
NOTE: When exactly 5 minutes remain during the current section the time will blink () several times (showing minutes and seconds)—to alert you that your time is running out. This is the only time warning the test will provide.
MIDDLE shows the name of the test and current section.
RIGHT CORNER shows the total number of questions available for the current section, and the current question number.
.
NOTE: Question numbers are displayed during the Quantitative and Verbal sections, but not during the two essay sections (because each essay section consists of only one question).
The "Toolbar" (all exam sections)
During every exam section you'll see the same basic Toolbar across the
BOTTOM of your computer screen. Here's a sample
QUIT TEST. Click on this button to terminate your testing session (no score for any section will be tabulated or reported).
.
NOTE: In case you click on the QUIT TEST button accidentally, don't worry: the test will ask you to CONFIRM your action before it terminates your testing session.
EXIT SECTION. Click on this button to proceed immediately to the next timed test section. You can exit any section at any time—even before you've responded to every available question in that section. If you click on this button, the test will ask you to CONFIRM your action before proceeding to the next section.
.
NOTE: The only situation in which you should click on this button is when you've finished responding to all available questions during a section before the time limit for that section has expired, and if you don't wish to use the leftover time for a testing break.
TIME. Click on this button to show the time remaining for the current section in minutes and seconds. Click on the button again to return to the default time display (minutes only).
.
NOTE: The time remaining is displayed (in minutes) all the time in your screen's upper-left corner. So the only reason to click on the TIME button is to keep an eye on the remaining seconds during the last minute or two if your in a time crunch.
HELP. Click on this button to access the directions for the type of question currently displayed.
.
NOTE: By clicking on the HELP button you can also access general test directions and directions for using the computer interface.
NEXT and CONFIRM ANSWER. During the Quantitative and Verbal sections, click on the NEXT button when you're finished with the current question. Don't worry: Until you confirm your answer—by clicking on CONFIRM ANSWER button—the current question will remain on your screen, and you can change your answer as often as you which (just be clicking on a different oval). Once you confirm your answer, the test displays your next question, and you cannot go back.
.
NOTE: Notice in the screenshot above that the NEXT button is dark gray. This indicates that the button is active (enabled), and the test-taker has not clicked on it yet. Notice also that the CONFIRM ANSWER button appears light gray; this indicates that it is inactive (disabled). Once the test-taker clicks on the NEXT button, it will become disabled (light gray), while that CONFIRM ANSWER button will become enabled (dark gray)
The Quantitative Screen
The test-taker has tentatively selected an answer choice by clicking on one of the ovals. (This test-taker is either smart or lucky; the selected choice happens to be the correct answer.)
The test-taker hasn't clicked on the NEXT button yet (we know this because the NEXT button is enabled while the CONFIRM ANSWER button is disabled).
The test-taker is 13 minutes into the Quantitative section (32 out of 45 minutes still remain on the clock).
The current question is the ninth one in the section—question 9 of 28. (This test-taker is right on pace for responding to all 28 questions just within this section's 45-minute time limit.)
To respond to a Quantitative Ability question, click on one of the five ovals next to the answer choices. You can't use the keyboard to select answers. If a question is accompanied by a figure (geometry figure, or chart or graph), the figure will appear above the question, as in the screen shot below.
.
NOTE: Some figures (especially charts and graphs) will be too large to fit on the screen along with the question, so you'll need to scroll vertically to view some figures in their entirety.
As you examine the screen shot above, notice the following:
.
The Verbal Screen
The test-taker has tentatively selected an answer choice by clicking on one of the ovals.
The test-taker has clicked on the NEXT button (we know this because the NEXT button is disabled while the CONFIRM ANSWER button is enabled).
The test-taker is 18 minutes into the Verbal section (12 out of 30 minutes still remain on the clock).
The current question is the first of four questions (21, 22 23 and 24) relating to the reading passage shown.
The current question is number 21 of 30 available questions in the Verbal Ability section. (This test-taker is right on pace for responding to all 30 questions just within this section's 30-minute time limit.)
To respond to a Verbal Ability question, just click on one of the five ovals next to the answer choices. You can't use the keyboard to select answers. For Reading Comprehension the screen will split vertically (as in the screen shot below); the reading passage will appear on the left side while the current question will appear to the right.
.
NOTE: One entire reading passage won't fit on the screen, so you'll need to scroll vertically to read it all.
As you examine the screen shot above, notice the following:
.
The Analytical Writing Screen
The current section is the Argument-Analysis section. (You can tell because of the nature of the question itself.)
23 minutes remain in this section. (This test-taker probably spent 3-5 minutes planning a response and has just begun to type it.)
The NEXT and CONFIRM ANSWER buttons are both disabled (because each of the two Analytical Writing sections contains only one question).
A cursor bar (vertical line) appears in the response area at the point where the test-taker is typing at the moment. (You can move the cursor around your response by using either the arrow keys on the keyboard or by pointing and clicking with the mouse—just as with any word processor.)
Unless an essay response is very brief (read: too brief) you'll have to scroll vertically to review your entire essay. (Notice the scrollbar to the right of the essay.)
To respond to each of the two essay questions (Sections 1 and 2 of the GRE), you'll type your essay response using the keyboard and the test's built-in word processor (unless you elect to submit handwritten responses). The essay question will appear at the top of your screen; your essay will automatically appear below it as you type.
.
NOTE: Expect to scroll vertically to view the entire question for the Argument-Analysis section (as in the screen shot below).
As you examine the screen shot above, notice the following:
.
Using the Built-in Word Processor
(for the GRE Essays) The GRE's built-in word processor is a lot like other word processors. The following navigational and editing keys perform the same functions as you'd expect from a word processor:
Editing:
Backspace removes the character to the left of the cursor
Delete removes the character to the right of the cursor
Enter inserts a paragraph break (starts a new line)
Navigation:
Home moves the cursor to the beginning of the line
End moves the cursor to the end of the line
Arrow Keys move the cursor up, down, left, or right
Page Up moves the cursor up one page (screen)
Page Down moves the cursor down one page (screen)
However, none of the following features, which are typical of word-processing programs, are available in the GRE's built-in word processor:
.
The TAB key is disabled
Beginning/end of paragraph is unavailable
Beginning/end of document is unavailable
.
In addition to editing keys, the word processor includes mouse-driven CUT (but not "copy"), PASTE, and UNDO.
.
CUT. To cut text, select the text you wish to cut with your mouse. Then click on the CUT button. (Drag-and-drop cut-and-paste is not available.)
PASTE. To paste the last selection you cut, position the mouse pointer at the desired insertion spot (click on it), then click on the PASTE button. (Drag-and-drop cut-and-paste is not available.)
UNDO. Click on this button to undo your most recent cut or paste. (Multiple UNDO is not available.)
No comments:
Post a Comment