Glitch Delays Test Scores

Upon finishing the computerized version of the Graduate Management Assessment Test (GMAT) between October 12 and 21, 400 test takers received an unexpected error message instead of their scores.

Despite the surprising message, the tests were not affected.

"This turned out to be a display error, not a data collection error," said Educational Testing Service (ETS) spokesperson Kevin E. Gonzalez.

A total of 10,000 people took the computer adaptive test (CAT) version of the GMAT, which is taken by business school applicants, during the two-week period.

Gonzalez said scores were not affected by the error, and test-takers had the option of manually canceling their scores. The test takers received a hard copy of their scores within 10 days.

Previously, a software glitch occurred with theGMAT on a December 1997 test.

"A small percentage of test takers [wereaffected]," Gonzalez said.

ETS cannot guarantee its testing services onthe CAT or paper-based tests will be error-free,Gonzalez said. "[But the CAT] eliminates a lot ofthe possibilities for error."

Use of the CAT is growing, and currently theGMAT and the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE),an entrance examination for graduate schools, areavailable on computer.

By the fall of 1999, the GRE will only beavailable on the computer. April 1999 is the lastscheduled paper based GRE General Test in theUnited States.

Taking a test on the computer requires thoseaccustomed to the conventional paper-based test tomake adjustments.

"It was just a matter of learning how to getcomfortable taking it on the computer," saidSamantha L. Allen, a Harvard Business Schoolapplicant currently working at Hill, Holliday whotook the GMAT CAT in February.

"Ninety percent of these tests is learning howto take the tests, whether you take it on paper orcomputer doesn't really matter," she said.

The CAT does provide certain conveniences totest takers, Gonzalez said.

Computer testing reduces the quantity of thepaper exchange that generally takes place betweenETS and test takers.

"You still have to register, but you can dothis over the phone with a credit card," Gonzalezsaid.

Also, computer testing allows for increasedflexibility in test scheduling.

"You have the possibility of 150 days a yearfor taking the test," Gonzalez said. For thepaper-based tests, there are usually only five toseven test days a year.

People who take the CAT learn their scoresimmediately after finishing the test.

"We can get these scores out to the schools ofyour choice that much faster," Gonzalez said

Previously, a software glitch occurred with theGMAT on a December 1997 test.

"A small percentage of test takers [wereaffected]," Gonzalez said.

ETS cannot guarantee its testing services onthe CAT or paper-based tests will be error-free,Gonzalez said. "[But the CAT] eliminates a lot ofthe possibilities for error."

Use of the CAT is growing, and currently theGMAT and the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE),an entrance examination for graduate schools, areavailable on computer.

By the fall of 1999, the GRE will only beavailable on the computer. April 1999 is the lastscheduled paper based GRE General Test in theUnited States.

Taking a test on the computer requires thoseaccustomed to the conventional paper-based test tomake adjustments.

"It was just a matter of learning how to getcomfortable taking it on the computer," saidSamantha L. Allen, a Harvard Business Schoolapplicant currently working at Hill, Holliday whotook the GMAT CAT in February.

"Ninety percent of these tests is learning howto take the tests, whether you take it on paper orcomputer doesn't really matter," she said.

The CAT does provide certain conveniences totest takers, Gonzalez said.

Computer testing reduces the quantity of thepaper exchange that generally takes place betweenETS and test takers.

"You still have to register, but you can dothis over the phone with a credit card," Gonzalezsaid.

Also, computer testing allows for increasedflexibility in test scheduling.

"You have the possibility of 150 days a yearfor taking the test," Gonzalez said. For thepaper-based tests, there are usually only five toseven test days a year.

People who take the CAT learn their scoresimmediately after finishing the test.

"We can get these scores out to the schools ofyour choice that much faster," Gonzalez said