GMAT Strategy

I don't think it will hurt too much to do both, just keep in mind the fact that you are comparing apples to oranges when you compare the two scores. Also, I'm weary of the fact that your tutor is suggesting that missing 4 out of the first 10 questions is bad, which as you know from these forums, is a myth. Either your tutor is suggesting incorrect information OR the 800score.com CAT's algorithm really does take this factor into account, which indicates the algorithm is not truly reflective of the GMAT algorithm [and also the MGMAT cat, which I believe does not do this]. The OG book dispels this myth and that is straight from the test creator's mouth.

Yes ths is very true and I see your point on page 17 orange o book. lol

I will make a strong attempt to build my verbal skills because he has corrected a few of my mistakes in my train of thought. i.e. I was mixing up must be true with could be true. I am at 32 verbal at mgmat and will focus to bring those scores up. This is much more logical to me. However, I will use 800score for some good practice. Your advice is great.

Hi Resilent -

How did you find the effectivess of your Powerscore tutor? I'm thinking of signing up, but I'm not sure how the tutors are.

Do you think it was worth it for you in the end? Please let me know you're experience. Thanks.

well its a great question and i will tell you in one day from now. I am working with the tutor and the company in general and will be able to give you my full opinion in 1 day.

Did 2 tests out of 5 and they were good. Surely harder than GMATPrep.

Some problems were lengthy to do but otherwise I think they follow, the GMAT funda that the problem becomes easier when you apply thought rather than pure grunt work.

Data sufficiency was good, along with some tough inequalities. Got 47 and 46 in both tests.

Just took one of these SCORE800 CATs.

To qualify myself, little background first:

Last year I took a number of MGMAT CATS (3 or 4 of them), on which I scored around 42-43Q/36-40V, and I took the two GMATPREP CATS and scored 43-48Q/39-40V. Finally, I took the real GMAT March 1, 2011 and scored 700(90%), Q43(64%)/V42(95%).

After thorough b-school admissions research, I decided that giving the GMAT another try might be worth it. Last time, I focused more on verbal so this time I've been studying math exclusively. Since there had been a significant time gap between sitting last March and resuming this year, I have been hitting the books hard for at least 2 months. At this point, I've studied roughly 200 hours of pure GMAT math (using the OGs and MGMAT guides) since the end of February. Compared to last year, I feel I have a much more profound comprehension of the math principles tested on the GMAT and the strategies and tricks that employed to crack them.

Also, it should be noted that I have barely cracked a verbal book since the last go around-I flipped through the MGMAT CR and RC books minutes before the exam just to reorient myself. I spent 10 minutes. I also spent a few hours last week re-familiarizing myself with SC.

I chose to take a SCORE800 CAT because I only have two fresh MGMAT CATs (and zero GMATPREP CATs) left and I'm saving them for later this month. I had been planning on sitting for the real thing first week of June.

After an hour of a solid AWA writing performance and a 5 minute break (I was feeing pretty great at this point), I immediately noticed that SCORE 800's math problems seemed very strangely and different than what I'm used to. Also, I certainly expected the typical 40/60 split of SDs and PSs; however, I only saw 3 or 4 SDs out of all 37 questions.

Another thrown cog, SCORE800 forces the tester to use a Pacer tool--which ultimately screwed me up. My philosophy on timing is that, if I'm not 2 minutes ahead, I'm behind. Getting to the last question with three minutes to spare is essential (for me), and in this case the pacer kept me right on time for half the test and playing catch-up for the second half. Ultimately, I rushed through the last few problems just to finish. No bueno.

Amazingly, after 200 hours of math study and virtually no verbal study, I scored higher on verbal. I scored 530, Q30/V32.

This was yesterday. The SCORE 800 test has left me bewildered, incredulous, and struggling to regroup. Since I have very few fresh MGMAT tests left, I'm thinking maybe I should retake one that I took back in 2010.

In any event, ouch. (Logically, I'm thinking that this can't possibly be a fair representation, but still, it's discouraging.)

Any advice?

not good, recently i did 3 mistakes 1-36-37, got quantile 49. wrong calculation, add 30+ on your score from 800score