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Which Practice Test to take first? 1 month left! Please help

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Which Practice Test to take first? 1 month left! Please help

by hifunda » Sun Apr 22, 2012 10:37 pm
Hi all,

I have exactly 1 month time left to take the exam, and I just finished studying for the Math section using the 5 MGMAT guides. I still have Advanced Number Properties to do, and I need to go over solid strategies and practise questions for CR and RC as well. Feeling confident in Sentence Correction. Haven't taken any CATs so far except the Diagnostic before. I am planning to start with one free CAT today.

From what I've seen here on the forums, MGMAT CATS seem to win hands down, apart from GMATPrep. Since I plan to take 2 CATs per week, Can someone advise me on the best study plan for this last 1 month and which CATs to take? I am having trouble deciding which CAT to take first?

GMATPrep1/MGMAT CAT1/Kaplan Free/Princeton Free/MasterGMAT/ anything else?

Please help.
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by sam2304 » Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:39 am
If you haven't taken a GMAT Prep so far, then you should go for it.
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by hifunda » Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:47 am
Thanks for the reply, but I thought saving those 2 for last would be good to also increase my confidence before the test.

What other tests have you taken?
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by penguinfoot » Mon Apr 23, 2012 4:52 am
Hello hifunda,

GMATPrep tests are the best. End of argument.

But if you want to save those for later :
Take the MGMAT CAT1 free cat & Master GMAT free CAT. They are better than others in your list.

Additionally, i would suggest the following approach : (If u have never ever taken the GMATPrep Tests)

Week1 : Take GMATPrep1
Week2 : Master GMAT Simulation CAT
Week3 : MGMAT CAT 1 & Kaplan CAT
Week4 : Take GMATPrep2

There is no need to take 2 CATs in a week and over stress yourself. That is a sure-shot fail mechanism. Instead, take 1 - and review your mistakes. Analyze which area(s) you are lacking in and try to review relevant materials. If u have the MGMAT strategy guides, visit the chapters concerning your weak areas.

Keep us posted on your results.
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by hifunda » Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:57 am
Thanks penguinfoot! That's just what I needed.

Since I have only 1 month left and need to start taking CATs now, I'll start with GMATPrep1 as you said. I also have access to 6 MGMAT CATs, and I won't have time to do even more these 8 combined. That's why I wanted to use only the best, and safely skip the rest (aka Kaplan, Knewton free CATS?) I hope I'm not missing out on anything.

Yes, I have the MGMAT guides and will review them again after a test. From what you're saying, have you already given the GMAT?
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by penguinfoot » Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:09 am
If you have 6 MGMAT CATs available with you, the below is the suggested schedule :

Week1 : Take GMATPrep1
Week2 : MGMAT CAT 1
Week3 : MGMAT CAT 2
Week4 : Take GMATPrep2

1 thing is important : Practice will only yield good results if u can analyze your performance effectively. Get deep into details and ask yourself questions : Why is it that i have got this Question correct/wrong ? Find out what type of mistakes you are comitting : Silly ones (careless mistakes), content mistakes (Did not get correct meaning because of timing constraints) or technique mistake (Method used to solve is wrong).
By reviewing this way - you will be able to narrow down on what you need to work on.
I have taken off Master GMAT because MGMAT CAT's Questions are GMATish, tougher and good for practice.

I have not given the GMAT yet. My test date is on June 6th. :)
Let me know your performance on the test.
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by hifunda » Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:27 am
Great, thanks a lot. I will post my results as I take them. Have you taken the MGMAT tests? How was your performance?
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by penguinfoot » Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:50 am
I have taken the MGMAT CAT ... The performance was good.
The questions were tough - This can positively mean that you are doing good.
I got a 670 on it. Later that week, i took GMATPrep test - and i scored 700.

After you have taken the MGMAT, scale your score by +10 or +20 points - the MGMAT gauges on a little lesser scale than GMATPrep software.

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by IJR » Mon Apr 23, 2012 11:26 am
I would do the MGMAT first. I would also advise you not to take 2 CATs per week. I think that's overkill. You would be better off spending that time studying the materials. I would take 4 total practice tests maximum. 2-3 should do the trick.
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by hifunda » Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:59 am
Appreciate all the good advice I got so far. I have decided to take just 1 CAT per week. I just took the MGMAT 1 this evening, scores below :

Total - 650
Quant - 45
Verbal - 34

At first glance, Verbal was shocking, but considering the fact that I am yet to go over CR and RC completely, I wasn't able to apply the best of strategies in a systematic way. So I'm hoping I can see a sure improvement next time.

Regarding Math, I froze on a couple of questions, and even felt like I couldn't do some questions that looked pretty easy. The scary part is I ended up making a few random guesses even in the middle of the test, when I had no clue about the question. And then, I had to leave the last one unanswered as I ran out of time. Also finished Verbal with just under a minute to spare, and almost started to freak out :)

Definitely need some improvement here. How much is a realistic improvement based on this 650 after another 3 weeks of prep?
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by hifunda » Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:44 pm
Guys -- Your replies would be appreciated.
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by penguinfoot » Thu Apr 26, 2012 1:17 am
Hello hifunda,

You are at a critical point in your preparation. That is how i would put it.
From here on - You can go on to get a good score - something above 720+
Moreover, i have told you already - MGMAT CATs scale on a lower level than GMATPrep/Real GMAT.
So i think u r atleast at the 680 mark on GMAT.

Things to do :
Get deep into details and ask yourself questions : Why is it that i have got this Question correct/wrong ? Find out what type of mistakes you are comitting : Silly ones (careless mistakes), content mistakes (Did not get correct meaning because of timing constraints) or technique mistake (Method used to solve is wrong).
By reviewing this way - you will be able to narrow down on what you need to work on.
This method is something which should be architected on factors such as time available, error areas and how you most effectively can improve in those areas.

HTH!
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by campbellronald7 » Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:14 pm
If you are confident enough you can take one now and let the other one is in buffer.
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by hifunda » Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:53 am
Quick Question!

I've been meaning to take my second practice CAT today (GMATPrep 1 - new version). I just realized that Integrated reasoning is there in this version. Should I just uninstall and use only the old software, as I'm going to take the test before it changes in June?? Or do I just use this new version by skipping the AWA/IR section?

IS it going to affect my score?
This is urgent - Please reply.
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by penguinfoot » Mon Apr 30, 2012 4:33 am
Hello hifunda,

Two part of answer to this question :
-> If you are taking the GMAT without IR, use the older version - cause it has the essay prompt for Issue Essay.
-> If you are using the new GMAT prep, continue with the test no matter. But what this means is that you have 2 tests available in old format. You should take full benefit of these tests.

If i were in your shoes, I would prefer the old format cause it simply reflects the actual test format. Either tests will not harm your preparation in any way. If at all, it will only serve to help you better practice the test.

HTH!
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