GMAT Prep CAT From MBA.com

Expert replies

GAtkins: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:00 pm

by GAtkins » Thu May 06, 2010 6:28 am

I have done a search on this but just wanted to get some more insight.

I have taken the GMAT Prep CAT #1 downloaded from MBA.com twice. Each time my score was 560 total, low in quant and high verbal (don't have the exact figures in front of me now).

My questions are these:
1) How representative do you think getting a 560 twice (tests were about 2 weeks apart) will be when I take the actual test?
2) What is the most effective thing(s) I could do in the next 2 weeks to improve my quant score before I write the exam on May 22nd?

Thanks in advance for any advice and insight.

Glenn Atkins

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Thu May 06, 2010 6:28 am

GMAT/MBA Expert

Dan@VinciaPrep: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 384; Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:54 amFollowed by: 13 members; Location: Paris; Thanked: 92 times

by Dan@VinciaPrep » Thu May 06, 2010 8:16 am

GAtkins wrote:I have done a search on this but just wanted to get some more insight.

I have taken the GMAT Prep CAT #1 downloaded from MBA.com twice. Each time my score was 560 total, low in quant and high verbal (don't have the exact figures in front of me now).

My questions are these:
1) How representative do you think getting a 560 twice (tests were about 2 weeks apart) will be when I take the actual test?
2) What is the most effective thing(s) I could do in the next 2 weeks to improve my quant score before I write the exam on May 22nd?

Thanks in advance for any advice and insight.

Glenn Atkins

Hello Glen,
In general the GMAT Prep CAT's are a pretty good indicator of where your score is (even though the disclaimer on the test says that it is not meant for that purpose)

I'm not sure how to respond to your second question because I don't know what you've already done. If you've gone over all of the theory, I would say you should practice/review OG problems. If you haven't gone over all of the basics you should probably do that for at least a couple days and then do some practice problems

If my post helped you- let me know by pushing the thanks button

I'm a private tutor in Paris, I provide online and in person consulting for the GMAT and MBA application essays.
GMAT tutor paris
Prepa GMAT

Like this post

GAtkins: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 2; Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 3:00 pm

by GAtkins » Fri May 07, 2010 5:39 am

Dan,

Thanks for the insight and reply.

I have most of the books (Princeton, Kaplan, & OG, including the quant supplements for Princeton, Kaplan & OG). I also have MGMAT word translations and am getting today MGMAT Number Properties and Foundations of GMAT Math from MGMAT. I have been studying since around mid February or so and feel I have a good grasp of strategy, test day scenarios, etc. All except for the quant.

My earlier work focused on Princeton because the math review and explanations seemed more straight forward. More recently, my focus has been on OG 12, OG quant review (green) and taking the two GMATPrep CAT's about 10 days apart with both scores at 560.

My math has always been rusty and my verbal has always been high. I have been out of undergrad for 23 years, have a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, and work in the investment management field. I have enough computer power to launch the space shuttle, can program Monte Carlo simulations in VBA, but can't seem to get the quant section to click on all cylinders like verbal. Unfortunately, computer power and Monte Carlo are not tested on the GMAT!

My test is two weeks from tomorrow (May 22nd). Any more tips or insight for the final push?

Thanks much.

Glenn Atkins

Like this post

vineeshp: Legendary Member; Posts: 965; Joined: Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:52 amFollowed by: 34 members; Thanked: 156 times; GMAT Score:720

by vineeshp » Sun May 09, 2010 11:21 pm

If you have a good grasp of Verbal, you should be able to push your score by improving your score by concentrating more on quant. Let me assure you that quant is easy. Most test takers do well in Quant because the principles tested are basic high school.It is just your time management that needs attention.

My suggestion.

Target 50 questions a day for OG 12 and OG math. Review each answer you did. When you make a mistake, verify why you went wrong and take necessary action.

If you feel your quant is not improving at all, then you need to consider postponing your test date.

What is your target score?

Vineesh,
Just telling you what I know and think. I am not the expert.

Like this post

GMAT/MBA Expert

Dan@VinciaPrep: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 384; Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 9:54 amFollowed by: 13 members; Location: Paris; Thanked: 92 times

by Dan@VinciaPrep » Tue May 11, 2010 1:01 am

GAtkins wrote:Dan,

Thanks for the insight and reply.

I have most of the books (Princeton, Kaplan, & OG, including the quant supplements for Princeton, Kaplan & OG). I also have MGMAT word translations and am getting today MGMAT Number Properties and Foundations of GMAT Math from MGMAT. I have been studying since around mid February or so and feel I have a good grasp of strategy, test day scenarios, etc. All except for the quant.

My earlier work focused on Princeton because the math review and explanations seemed more straight forward. More recently, my focus has been on OG 12, OG quant review (green) and taking the two GMATPrep CAT's about 10 days apart with both scores at 560.

My math has always been rusty and my verbal has always been high. I have been out of undergrad for 23 years, have a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, and work in the investment management field. I have enough computer power to launch the space shuttle, can program Monte Carlo simulations in VBA, but can't seem to get the quant section to click on all cylinders like verbal. Unfortunately, computer power and Monte Carlo are not tested on the GMAT!

My test is two weeks from tomorrow (May 22nd). Any more tips or insight for the final push?

Thanks much.

Glenn Atkins

Since it seems like you've already gone through a fair number of books I'd focus on doing practice problems. Vineeshp is right to state that you need to make sure that you go back through the problems and learn from you mistakes. This is perhaps the most important steps in going through practice problems. Since your test is 10 days out I would suggest that you start doing a practice test once every two or three days if possible. This will help you with the timing, put you in test like circumstances, build your stamina, and give you lots of concentrated practice.

If my post helped you- let me know by pushing the thanks button

I'm a private tutor in Paris, I provide online and in person consulting for the GMAT and MBA application essays.
GMAT tutor paris
Prepa GMAT

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

560 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review