I took both the general and the psyc tests
about six years ago, when they were just
coming out with the computerized versions.
After practicing on the GRE software, I
decided to take the paper and pencil test
(using bubble sheets) instead, because you
couldn't go back and fix any answers on the
computerized test. On the written test, all
sections were timed, but you could go back and
correct answers within each section before
the time limit was up. The general and the
psyc tests were given on the same day. There
was no writing component portion on either test.
Halpern (2000) reported that writing components
are being added to such tests in order to
increase gender equity, because females tend to
excel on written tests while males are more
likely to excel on multiple-choice tests. Since
adding a written portion to the PSAT, as the
result of a court mediated agreement between
the US Department of Ed and the College Board,
in 1996, there has been a dramatic increase in
the number of National Merit Scholarships
awarded to women, since the PSAT is used to
determine semifinalist status for scholarships.
Halpern, D. (2000). Sex differences in cognitive
abilities. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
--
Heidi Weiman
Ed Psyc Central
Psychoeducational Resource Center
http://EdPsyc.org
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Also available at:
http://homepages.luc.edu/~hweiman
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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