What are the differences between a computer-based and paper-based exam for the Estate Agents / Salespersons Qualifying Examinations?

There are differences between the computer-based exam and the paper-based exam? Some people say that the computer-based exam / paper-based exam will be easier?

Many people are curious about the differences between the EAQE/SQE’s computer- based exam and the paper- based exam.

As per the two exams’ content, they are pretty much identical. The two exams use the same Study Guide to Estate Agency Law and Practice and other study materials, the exam questions are drawn in the same question bank. Some people say that they have taken a computer-based exam or the paper-based exam, and think one of them is easier, but we think it is actually a matter of luck. The difficulty of the questions depends on the students’ luck. If you are lucky, there are super easy questions that will enable you to pass the exam relatively easily. If you are unlucky, there are more critical thinking application questions, and unclear questions that will affect your performance more easily. We disagree that there is a connection between the exam mode and the exam’s difficulties. 

However, the paper-based exam and the computer-based exam are really different in other aspects. 

What are the differences between a paper-based exam and a computer-based exam? 

1. The most important difference is the speed of the issue of the results.

If you take the computer-based exam, you can know the score 7 working days at the earliest after submitting the exam paper for electronic marking, so that you don’t have to worry about the results for a few more days. Result notification will also be delivered to the candidate sooner. But if candidates decide to take the paper based exam, he/she then will only be able to view the exam results after 14 working days from the exam date; by then, your memory toward the exam questions will be quite blurry. 

      2. You can bring less items into the exam if you partake in the computer-based exam

The second difference is that the computer based exam only requires you to bring your HKID or passport. If you decide to take the paper based exam, you not only need to bring your pencil and erasers , but also your printed copy of your admission ticket. If you do not bring the admission ticket, you will need to fill in a few pieces of information in a form after the exam. 

      3. If you partake in the computer-based exam, there is no need to arrive early

A candidate can start their exams immediately once they have inputted their identification number. However, it is highly recommended that the candidate arrive early for the paper-based exam, as the paper-based exam requires candidates to manually fill their application code, centre number by blackening boxes. If a candidate is quick in doing form filling related things, he/she may be able to complete the exam paper filling process in a minute, but normally, the form filling process will take several minutes to complete. If you do not arrive early, you need to sacrifice the time of the exam to do the form filling. If the form filling process is not done by the time you submit the exam, the examiner will not give you time to fill in the basic information.

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