DVORAK Keyboard and the GRE

[Monster Matty]

I switched over to typing on the DVORAK keyboard from QWERTY a while ago in order to increase my typing speed. Does anyone know anything about whether you can use the DVORAK typeset on the GRE?

[walt526]

No, you have to use the testing center's standard equipment, which includes a QWERTY keyboard.

[Monster Matty]

Originally Posted by walt526

No, you have to use the testing center's standard equipment, which includes a QWERTY keyboard.

That is about what I thought, but I was hoping it might have changed.

That is really ridiculous and discriminatory. It is not as big deal for me because I can also type QWERTY (though it will take some practice to get as good at it as I was), but what about for people who have always typed DVORAK? I hope ETS is sued over that at some point.

[walt526]

I'm not sure that requiring a QWERTY keyboard would be considered actionable, at least in the US. ETS would seem to have a legitimate interest in standardizing the test parameters and proficiency on a QWERTY is not immutable. Unless one could somehow prove that some sort of documented medical disability required the use of DVORAK (in which case a medically documented reason would probably persuade ETS or the test center to accommodate the request), I doubt that there would be any legitimate cause of action. But a simple preference for DVORAK over QWERTY wouldn't be sufficient grounds for a law suit, as I understand US law.

[jjarvis98]

I just went through this with them and ... not going to happen.

Any suggestion of test accomodations and you get redirected to 'disability'.

I had to speak very slowly. And even after I had established that I can not type on "qwerdy" keyboard but on a "dworak", they kept messing it up. "So you want to use a Dtorak keyboard".

I muddled my way through with "Qwerty has caused me wrist pain when I started typing. I switched."

They more or less had absolutely no clue what I was talking about. Put on hold for 10 minutes while she was talking to someone that 'knew more about it' (ha).

Came back with there is no way around QWERTY keyboard, then "Do I have a medically documented reason". No. Why the heck would I? I had wrist pain. I stopped doing what caused wrist pain. (No Doctor needed!)

I understand them wanting to make a standardized test but typing isn't just something you pick up in a month before the test, especially if you've been doing it for 10+ years. And it's not like Dvorak is the only alternative, AZERTY, QWERTZ are both used by numerous people.

The SAT is 'standardized' but you're allowed with in reason what ever calculator you want. I was more familiar with my TI-83 than my brand new TI-89, even though it had more capabilities, so I took the test with that.

Not being able to use Dvorak puts me at a severe disadvantage in the writing portion of the test. I can do QWERTY at maybe 10 wpm and I have numerous errors.

I've made it through 17 years of school without ever having to use my ADHD as a 'disability' but I think I might just so I can get double the time.

[Ramalakshmie]

Just follow the rules.. As if the exam isn't in itself a great headache already, why would you want to subvert the clearly stated rules?