Gre is getting harder
In order to adjust for testing illregularities, brought about by the at home test, the only way for ets to fight this is to introduce harder questions on average. This is different than say, ‘hardest questions’. In order to do this, I think it can be shown, that ets increases the number of steps that are required to solve the question, by one step. Even though it’s just one step, by doing this for three or four questions, this one step then is multiplied. So the perception of exam becoming harder is real, I think… By asking questions that people don’t anticipate, because that extra step previously wasn’t asked. It’s like your mom asking you to go to the store, but the one across town instead. Prima facie that is not a big deal except it feels measurably more of a hassle. Then when your boss asks you to work another hour as well, suddenly you have a problem on your hands. Because it’s two extra unplanned events. Finally, when you get home, you find the dog is on the table and dragged toilet paper across the house.
Also, even though it’s 1 data point only, i would say that verbal is grag’s stronger suit. But he did not get 170, rather 167. In my opinion, to add another data point (mine), the verbal section was harder then practice tests (in my opinion).
Of course, In order to actually gauge whether or not the test is harder (it could be easier, who knows), additional evidence is needed. But on the surface of things, with covid and irregularities they can’t control for, it seems that it is likely to become harder than easier, in order for the distribution of scores to be statistically normalized.
Best,
Grabby.
planet pluto