priyanka.x.juneja wrote:Hi all! I plan to start taking practice tests on a weekly basis starting next weekend (a total of 8 tests before my exam date). I will be using Manhattan Prep CATs, the two given by GMAT prep, and the two that can be purchased via exam pack. My question is, does it matter which order I take these in? I've heard that the Manhattan Prep CATs are harder...is there some strategy in saving them till closer to exam date? Should I alternate with the GMAT prep tests? Just curious if this matters at all! Thanks in advance
You should take the Mprep CATs first. The GMATPrep CATs do not allow you to track metrics (% right and wrong, accuracy by topic and question type). Our practice tests do, so it will be much more helpful in the beginning to assess your strengths and weaknesses. GMATPrep CATs also do not tell you your time spent per problem, nor do they give you answer explanations. For all these reasons, it's much better to use ours (or that of any leading prep company) when you're starting out. Then, switch over to GMATPrep CATs for the last 1-2 exams before the real thing.
Many people (including me) think that Mprep CATs are slightly more difficult than the real test, especially on the quant. In general, it's likely that students will get 10-20 pts higher on the real test than on ours (assuming that anxiety / timing / other issues are not a factor). Another reason to take these first, because then the official ones will feel better by comparison, and you'll go into the real test with more confidence!
Ceilidh Erickson
EdM in Mind, Brain, and Education
Harvard Graduate School of Education
