Difficulty on the KAPLAN 2016 tests

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Difficulty on the KAPLAN 2016 tests

by AnuragSarangi13 » Tue Feb 09, 2016 5:05 am
Hello,

I am into my 3rd week of preparation now and have given 2 Kaplan 2016 premier tests along with 2 GMATPrep 2016 tests. My scoring for the same has been as follows:

KAPLAN Test 3: 610
GMATPrep Test 1: 540
GMATPrep Test 2: 590
KAPLAN Test 5: 660

My question is are the KAPLAN Tests designed to be easier than the actual GMAT? Since I have read on multiple blogs that GMATPrep Tests are the most accurate depiction of the final GMAT. Hence, I am confused as to why I am able to score well on the KAPLAN Tests and so poorly on the Prep Tests.

Any inputs from your side will be extremely helpful.

Thanks,
Anurag

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by Jennifer@Kaplan » Fri Feb 12, 2016 10:32 am
Hi Anurag,

Thank you for reaching out to us with your question. Kaplan practice tests have been designed to be as close to the GMAT as we can make them. According to information on the GMAC's website, the margin of error on the real GMAT is about 41 points. For example, if a test taker scored a 570 on test day, that person might just as easily have scored a 530 or a 610.

All students preparing for tests see some variability in practice test scores. We all have good days and bad days, and our performance will vary accordingly. If you are studying and working through lots of practice questions, putting your skills together by taking full-length practice tests, and reviewing all of your practice to learn from your mistakes, then your practice test scores should form a scatterplot with an upward regression line. That seems to be happening, based on the scores you've shared, so you're on your way to an improved GMAT score on test day.

Best,
Jennifer