GMAT Strategy

GMAC can't choose to make the test harder. The scoring algorithm is entirely based on the calibration of questions, and remember that we, as GMAT test-takers, determine how hard questions are by answering them when they are diagnostic questions. To give a simple example: if GMAC writes a question, and includes it as a diagnostic on a real GMAT, and all the 40-level Verbal test-takers get the question wrong, and all the 42-level Verbal test-takers get it right, it will be considered a 41-level question. That kind of stark division would never happen- calibration is all done based on complex statistics- but that's essentially the idea. Notice that because of this, if the test-taking population improves, the test will get harder for future test-takers, and this is what I think has been happening in the Quant section recently. This has nothing to do with a decision made by GMAC, and all to do with the increased time GMAT takers are devoting to preparation.

What GMAC can do is change the style of questions they write, so that people see things that seem unfamiliar on the test, which will make the test seem harder. I've also explained, in a thread on this forum, how issues like the ScoreTop scandal might change the calibration of some questions, making the scoring of future GMAT tests harder for honest test-takers.

So in brief, I think the Verbal section may be slightly harder now (and from a recent test, I do think it is a bit harder, but not much), but not because GMAC decided 'let's make the test harder'. I expect they're trying to update the style of the questions in the verbal so the test isn't too predictable, and I expect some of the illegal activity on some GMAT forums is having a small influence as well. Still, I think GMATPrep gives a very good indication of what the real verbal is like, and I expect some people find the real test more difficult in part because of psychological factors- test pressure, time pressure, etc.

Totally agree with Ian.

Just wanted to add one thing on a comment someone made about how it's been a while since GMATPrep came out. It is true that GMATPrep first came out a while ago, but they are also quietly updating / changing the pool of questions in GMATPrep as time goes on. Various people here have downloaded the software at different times since it launched and the pool of questions has not remained the same.

That's also good news if you took GMATPrep a while ago and are gearing up to study again - download the new software so that you reduce your chances of seeing repeats. (Though I should note: they haven't changed the pool of GMATPrep questions dramatically - but some are definitely dropping out and new ones are definitely showing up over time.)