The purpose of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) figural-response project was to design a prototype computer assessment system for delivering and scoring figural-response items in the domain of cell and molecular biology and to begin to investigate properties of the item format. This report describes progress to date in an effort that is intended to be continuous and lead to program implementation. Features of the delivery system are described, with sample items, and ancillary developments, such as a tutorial, are also noted. Findings from a pilot research study are described. The essence of the pilot study was to examine the relationships between two item types (figural-response and open-ended verbal questions) and measures of figural and verbal ability for undergraduates (n=17) and graduate students and professors (n=4). The data hint that whereas verbal items draw from verbal ability, figural-response items draw from figural and verbal ability. The report concludes with a discussion of possible new directions for research, development, and eventual program use of the item format. Two tables present some pilot study findings. An appendix contains sample computer test screen items. (Contains 17 references.) (Author/SLD)