Question on GMATPrep Software (portable?)

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WhatsInYourBackpack: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 6:45 am; GMAT Score:740

Question on GMATPrep Software (portable?)

by WhatsInYourBackpack » Sat Jun 01, 2013 11:30 am

I apologize if this question has already been answered. I couldn't find it anywhere in the forum or on other sites.

Does anyone know if it would be possible to install the GMATPrep Software on an external/portable hard drive, so that I could use it between two computers + have it backed up (concerned because my personal laptop has been a bit wonky recently -- + don't want to have the software installed physically on my work laptop).

Any insight/experiences on this would be great to hear! *ALSO* if anyone has any other ideas to make it portable, I would be grateful for the suggestion(s).

Thank you in advance!

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Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Sat Jun 01, 2013 11:30 am

PauloAH: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 10; Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 6:41 am; Thanked: 1 times

by PauloAH » Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:09 am

WhatsInYourBackpack wrote:I apologize if this question has already been answered. I couldn't find it anywhere in the forum or on other sites.

Does anyone know if it would be possible to install the GMATPrep Software on an external/portable hard drive, so that I could use it between two computers + have it backed up (concerned because my personal laptop has been a bit wonky recently -- + don't want to have the software installed physically on my work laptop).

Any insight/experiences on this would be great to hear! *ALSO* if anyone has any other ideas to make it portable, I would be grateful for the suggestion(s).

Thank you in advance!

I was looking for the same answer for a different reason. I got my hands on the 2009 GMATPrep software and wanted to install it in an external HD, since if I install it with the current GMATPrep software I could damage the later.

Yes, it was possible.

Regards

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GMAT/MBA Expert

[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; Followed by:511 members; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Sun Sep 14, 2014 11:19 am

Hi PauloAH,

While the old version of the software might be useful for additional practice, I would advise AGAINST using it as a way to assess your overall Test Taking ability.

1) The 2009 software includes 2 essay prompts (instead of the current version of the GMAT, which is 1 essay and IR). So the overall experience is unrealistic.
2) That old software also includes a number of questions that still appear on the current version of the software. So if you take the old practice CAT, then later take the new practice CAT, you'll likely see some repeat questions. THOSE repeat questions will make the later CAT result unrealistic since you'll already know some of the questions (and likely know the answers). This will lead to artificially "inflated" scores that won't help you to properly assess your weak areas.
3) Learning how to properly deal with the IR section is a reality of the Official GMAT. If you try to avoid that part of the process, then you'll be less likely to handle the IR correctly on Test Day (and less likely to handle the endurance/fatigue issues properly).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]

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PauloAH: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 10; Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 6:41 am; Thanked: 1 times

by PauloAH » Sun Sep 14, 2014 7:24 pm

[email protected] wrote:Hi PauloAH,

While the old version of the software might be useful for additional practice, I would advise AGAINST using it as a way to assess your overall Test Taking ability.

1) The 2009 software includes 2 essay prompts (instead of the current version of the GMAT, which is 1 essay and IR). So the overall experience is unrealistic.
2) That old software also includes a number of questions that still appear on the current version of the software. So if you take the old practice CAT, then later take the new practice CAT, you'll likely see some repeat questions. THOSE repeat questions will make the later CAT result unrealistic since you'll already know some of the questions (and likely know the answers). This will lead to artificially "inflated" scores that won't help you to properly assess your weak areas.
3) Learning how to properly deal with the IR section is a reality of the Official GMAT. If you try to avoid that part of the process, then you'll be less likely to handle the IR correctly on Test Day (and less likely to handle the endurance/fatigue issues properly).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Hi Rich,

thanks for the reply. I should have clarified. I am a GMAT retaker I got a 660 and I am aiming to break the 700 barrier.

Unfortunately, during the previous preparation I have taken the 4 official GMATPrep 2012 and a few Veritas and Manhattan mocks.

Considering I found

> Veritas not quite realistic; got the impression that either the algorithms or the question level is off there, making it seems that the task of scoring 700+ easier than it actually is.

and

> I am not quite convinced of Manhattan's approach of making Quant section harder in order to prepare one for the actual exam.

I received the advice to use GMATPrep 2006 and 2009 as practice and save a "re-take" of 2012's for the period closer to my actual exam (a month from now).

Tks

Paulo

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GMAT/MBA Expert

[email protected]: Elite Legendary Member; Posts: 10392; Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm; Location: Palo Alto, CA; Thanked: 2867 times; Followed by:511 members; GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Sun Sep 14, 2014 7:33 pm

Hi Paulo,

I still stand by my original assessment of using those older GMAC CATs (in brief):

1) They're not a match to the current version of the GMAT.
2) You will likely see some questions that you've previously answered on the 2012 CATs.

To those points, I would add another:

3) Retaking a CAT that you've already taken will almost certainly lead to an artificially inflated score (since you'll likely see questions that you already know the answers to).

If you're not convinced that the Veritas or MGMAT CATs are going to help you, then you could try the Kaplan CATs (a set of CATs comes with the Kaplan Premiere Book).

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

Contact Rich at [email protected]