Computer Adaptive Test

What is a Computer Adaptive Test?

The GMAT is a computer adaptive test (CAT), meaning that questions are selected by the testing computer based on how the GMAT test taker is performing on the exam. As such, each GMAT test taker is presented with a unique set of questions which adjust throughout the test based on the ability level of the test taker.

Initial Question in Quantitative and Verbal Sections

At the start of each of the Quantitative and Verbal sections of the GMAT, the testing computer selects a question deemed to be of average difficulty. Based on the GMAT test taker's answer to this first question, the testing computer selects the next question to present. If the GMAT test taker answers the first question correctly, the next question selected will be of higher difficulty than the first question; if the GMAT test taker answers the first question incorrectly, the next question selected will be of lower difficulty than the first question.

Subsequent Questions

The testing computer continues to adapt the questions it selects and presents based on how the GMAT test taker is doing during the exam. That is, based on the GMAT test taker's answer to each question, as well as responses to prior questions in that section of the GMAT, the testing computer selects the next question to present. As the GMAT test taker continuously responds correctly to questions, the testing computer generally will select and present questions of increasing difficulty. In cases when the GMAT test taker responds incorrectly to a given question, the testing computer generally will select and present a question of lesser difficulty than the preceding question which the GMAT test taker answered incorrectly.

Each question must be answered as it appears

Unlike some other standardized exams, because the computer adaptive nature of the GMAT assesses the test taker's performance on prior questions in order to select and present subsequent questions, each question must be answered at the time which it is presented in order for the GMAT test taker to move to the next question. As such, the GMAT test taker may not go back to review or change the answer to previous questions, as such answers have already been considered in the determination of ensuing questions.

How Computer Adaptive Test Scoring Works

Every possible question that could be presented on the GMAT possesses standardized statistical characteristics, including level of difficulty, designated by the makers of the GMAT. By increasing the level of difficulty as questions are answered correctly and decreasing the level of difficulty as questions are answered incorrectly, the computer adaptive test assesses the skill level of the test taker for each individual section in relation to other test takers and assigns a GMAT score accordingly.