Complain about GRE or any standardize test

My experience while I was taking a GRE General Test.

I was frustrated by a user interface and technical problem that noone cares about it... I already sent feedback about technical problem that I met... it said..

"When I went to a computer that I had to take an exam, I found that it used CRT monitor and its refresh rate's so bad. I think its less than 65 Hz for sure. It's not good at all for everyone's eyes, I saw it blink always, so annoyed me. I think you should set a requirement for refresh rate setting of computer that uses for a test at 75Hz at least or changing to LCD to avoid this problem. Thank you."

I expect to see a progress or reply for this problem because not only annoyed anyone who take that test but also show that the standard test team didn't see technical problem is their problem at all!!! What do you think if you take a paper-based test in a dim room! it's the same problem that happened w/me now.

Result: They reply me within 3 or 4 days.
>>
Dear Sippakorn

We received your inquiry. Your feedback is very important to us. Our goal is to provide exceptional quality service. We welcome and appreciate your comments and we apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced.

Please contact our Candidate Care Department at 1-800-853-6769, Monday through Friday, 8am to 8pm Eastern Time.

We ask that you please remain on the Candidate Care telephone line to speak to a representative and they will be happy to assist you. Your satisfaction is the key to our success. Again we apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Thank you for your time and we appreciate your patience.

Thank You

>> Hmm.. Apologize!! and so what? Is it important? But I seem like they have a internet-based feedback just for apologize! -_-' It's pretty darned good! What if I call them, and get a response just only "we apologize our inconvenience." and that's it!.. Is it worth? or Is it really feedback to make it better?? or just make it to avoid breaking a law.

Another problem is who designed this test user interface...?? What's their purpose? They want me to just click next! (or proceed) and answer the question. That's all?? What about time organize? In my opinion, in a test, it should has a outline.... and easy to say where we are or what I have to do next! like this

- Part I: Writing analysis (45 min)
• no1.
• no2.
- Part II: Mathematical analysis (45min)
• no1.
• no2.
•...
• no28.
- Part III: Verbal (45 min)
• no1.
• no2.
•...
• no36.

and when we passed.. it should has a check (/) sign in front of it or something like that especially I think student should have a choice to choose which part they wanna take first.... anyway, I don't agree about we can not review that we already passed!! It doesn't make any sense because all we have is time that can limit what we are doing.

Oh, .... another thing that make me antsy is TIME Button... it's just to turn on/off time, isn't it? If yes, why they did show as "TIME on/off" to make it clear!. I think at least they should show some details instead of time!! for example,

"0:45 mins left in Part I: Writing Analysis! ---> 1 of 2" instead of only "0:45" ~!.

I know it sounds crazy but I don't think all of these suppose to be one of factor that reflects in how score we get! That's all!!

U*blog

Another way to post a blog from treo, besides sending via e-mail that can make some advertisement in post and we have to delete or edit it again.. U*Blog
just make a try... Is it better or not?

note: editing test in the blog, is it work? >> it's gonna be duplicate!!

result(Apr 29, 2006 9:05pm): it's not gonna work. I can't edit, delete post, or even add a long post, approx 2kB. it totally fails me... Anyway, posts blog via e-mail is better!!

Return to retro!

Yesterday, I found a great article in 1src.com that link to Jim's Tips:A
recent article on Palm247.com--"PDAs: Back To The Basics". It talks
about what the real PDA purpose!, how much we get a distraction from
many many new features PDA has! and how we go back to simplicity. Forget
all of new stuff, decrease your geeky factor('_')/

In this article, Jim Barr turnedT3 back and got a brand new Z22!!, Then what he found is so interesting!

See by yourself!! >> Link

edit (Apr 30, 2006) : wrong link. -_-'