Explaining Performance on P&P versus Computer Mode of Administration for the Verbal Section of the Graduate Record Exam

The present study attempted to find the effects of trait and computer anxiety upon performance on paper-and-pencil and computer forms of verbal sections of the Graduate Record Examination. Scores for neuroticism, extraversion, computer anxiety, GRE via paper-and-pencil, and GRE via computer were collected for forty college undergraduates. Analyses revealed significant interactions for computer anxiety and extraversion with test mode. Contrary to the hypothesis, results found extraverts and those scoring low in computer anxiety obtained significantly lower scores on the computer version than their counterparts. Explanations for the findings and implications for future research are discussed.