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Manhattan GMAT Scores vs GMAT Prep scores - Study strategy

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Manhattan GMAT Scores vs GMAT Prep scores - Study strategy

by archu.mohan » Mon Apr 14, 2014 10:39 am
Hello,
The following are my CAT scores thus far (WITHOUT IR/ESSAYS):

2/10: GMAT PREP : Q:47, V:34; 650
3/12: MGMAT CAT 1: Q:44, V:33; 640
3/24: MGMAT CAT 2: Q:44, V:36; 660
4/7 : MGMAT CAT 3: Q:38, V:33; 590
4/14: MGMAT CAT 4: Q:45, V:32; 630

All these were taken under the actual exam conditions. (with the exception of not taking the IR/AWA sections).

I have 5 weeks to go before D day.

1) Are MGMAT CATs tougher than the real one? Or are these scores pretty accurate? (I understand all the above scores are inflated because of not taking IR/AWA - but I haven't completed preparations for IR/AWA yet).
2) I have been mostly working on completing OG questions this past month and although I have been taking one practice test a week, I haven't particularly focused on weak areas (which I have identified as CR and DS across all math topics questions and definitely time management on Verbal). Are my scores not improving because I did not sufficiently focus on just these 3 areas? I was intending to complete at least one pass of the MGMAT books and the OG before drilling in to the weakness areas. I am beginning to wonder if my study strategy is not working.
3) I am aiming for a 700. Is a 700 even feasible given the amount of time left?

Thanks,
Archana
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by AbhiJ » Mon Apr 14, 2014 11:11 am
Option A: Would suggest you to study for 4 weeks and give GMAT Prep 8-9 days before your scheduled date. If your score is less than your desired score by more than 10 points i.e if its 680 or less then you can postpone your GMAT by paying 50$.

Option B: Postpone today by 1-2 months based on your speed of improvement till now.

Choose option A if you perform well when you have deadlines and chose option B if you learn better when you are relaxed. Also consider whether dates are generally available in your location.
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by [email protected] » Mon Apr 14, 2014 11:27 am
Hi archu.mohan,

Since you haven't taken a complete practice CAT yet, attempting to evaluate your readiness or progress is problematic.

The MGMAT CATs are accurate enough to give you a sense of your ability IF you take the entire CAT. Your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores, out of context, are good, but you'd need to improve them to score 700+.

I'd suggest that you take a FULL LENGTH practice CAT sometime this week and then post back with your scores. With 5 weeks to go, we need some representative data about your current ability level.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
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by ThomasLHall » Thu Apr 24, 2014 9:57 am
The MGMAT CATs are a little tougher on average than the official test, so those taken without IR/Essay are an accurate measure of your current abilities.

You should always be working on time management - ie doing timed problem sets whenever you practice. This is not a weakness that can wait until later in your prep.

Your scores are probably not improving because you are not prepping optimally. Check out my guide to self-study GMAT Clarity (amazon link) for this.

700 is definitely possible in your time frame if you improve the quality of your prep.
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by archu.mohan » Thu Apr 24, 2014 11:57 am
Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.

Thomas, would the guide be helpful even for folks like me that already completed my MGMAT Strategy guides and taken a bunch of CATs? I am obviously not focusing on the right preparation strategy here (looks like it, since I am stuck in the lower 600s for a while now). I have been preparing for almost 4 months now. Although I try to spend at least 4-5 hours a day, it has been tough with an infant at home and several other personal chores & constraints. I do have the luxury of pushing out my test (if need be). I am only applying to one school (again - family/location constraints) and absolutely need a 700+ to have a decent chance. So I really just have one shot at this.
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