CBT or PBT ??

[cyberagl]

Hi, everybody

This is the first time I write here, and I would like to say that this site is very nice and helpful. Thank you for contributing to improve it, even more.
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My question deals with deciding to take the CBT or PBT. And I would want to share some thoughts about that with you, expecting feed back.

On one hand I have heard that CBT is a little bit more difficult than PBT mainly in the listening part. But, It is undoubtdly more confortable in the writting one. I can't say that I write properly, so I really prefer to take the Computer Based one.

On the other hand, and this is the real core of the question. Most universities requiere 213 CBT and 650 PBT, but the 650 PBT doesn't include the TWE part. So, I understand, that It really doesn't matter the TWE, since they are interesting only in listening, structure and grammar. Therefore, It would be more convenient for me to take the PBT.

What do yo thank about it?
Tell me where I am wrong, please.

Thank you very much

[Tino]

Where can you still take the PBT?

Also, 213 CBT is not 650 PBT. I think you mean 550 PBT. (650 PBT is nearly a perfect score).

Anyway, I guess the PBT is easier since there is no essay part.

:-)

[jose]

I took PBT on October 15th. I DISrecommend (does this word exist?) to take the PBT. The time constrains are harder than those of the CBT. Yes, the TWE is scored separately and does not count toward your final score (unlike CBT).

Listening section: Assuming that the quality of the tape is OK you will have to face a situation that may make you feel uncomfortable: after each conversation, you have little time to make your choice. Therefore, if you are not sure about your possible choice, it will be necessary to guess quickly and it might eventually prevent you from making a better choice.
I got 70 questions at PBT, CBT usually contains 30

Structure section: in this section you have the oportunity of skipping a difficult question ang going back to it later. During CBT you cannot skip any question because the next question you will face will depend on whether you answered the previous one properly or not.
PBT: 40 questions-25 minutes ; CBT: 25 questions- 15 minutes (?)

Reading section: no comments, just look at this:
PBT: 5 passages, 50 questions, 55 minutes
CBT: (usually) 4 passages, 44 questions, 70 minutes

Finally, and depending on how soon you need the results, after taking PBT, the results will be mailed to you after 5-6 weeks. On the other hand, when taking CBT you will receive and inmediate score (with the exception of TWE) and the official results will be sent 10-15 days after taking the test (assuming that you typed the essay instead of handwriting it)

[cyberagl]

OK, thanks for your help

Tino you are right 213 is 550 I made a mistake, sorry :-). That's the minimum requiered for many universities in order to be admited for graduate studies.

I could take the PBT in Tel aviv, Israel.

Jose, You finally have convinced me. I will take the CBT, mainly based on the time constrains of the PBT.

Thanks for helping me making a decision.

[jose]

welcome cyberagl. Good luck.