What Is a Computer-Adaptive Test (CAT)?
A computer-adaptive test (CAT) adjusts the difficulty of questions based on your performance as you move through the exam.
How it works
- The exam typically starts with a medium-difficulty question
- If you answer correctly, the next question may be more difficult
- If you answer incorrectly, the next question may be easier
- This process continues throughout the section
Your score is based on the overall pattern of your responses, not just whether individual questions are right or wrong.
What this means
- The test is designed to accurately measure your ability level
- You may see a mix of easier and harder questions
- Difficulty adjusts to match your performance over time
- You should focus on answering each question to the best of your ability
- Trying to “game” the difficulty level will not improve your score
- Consistent performance matters more than any single question