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Question regarding format of test

Problem Solving — algebra and arithmetic (GMAT Focus Edition)
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Question regarding format of test

by kidderek » Thu May 11, 2006 5:35 pm
My strength is math and my weakness is verbal, so I want to maximze my quant score. If I was to get every question correct in the math section, how many do you think would be deemed "difficult" questions.

I'm just trying to figure out how things would work out timing-wise. I can breeze through the medium to moderately difficult questions, but the difficult questions take up a quite a bit of time for me, esp ds.

For example, if I get the first 15 correct, will I more than likely get all difficult questions the rest of the way? Or is it more like the first 10 or 20 . . . ?
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by beatthegmat » Fri May 12, 2006 11:40 pm
Hi kidderek:

The way the GMAT verbal and math section works is as follows:

Your first question on a section will be a medium-difficulty question. If you get this question right, the next question will be more difficult; if you get this first question wrong, the next question will be easier. And so forth.

Therefore, if you were to get every question correct on the math section, after the first half-dozen or so questions, you will be answering exclusively difficult questions for the rest of the section.

If you know your strength is math, I would focus on studying mostly difficult practice questions, and find a way to set a good pace for yourself on the real exam. You certainly want to use your time wisely...

Best of luck!
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by dblazquez » Sun May 14, 2006 2:44 pm
Interesting... so, eric, do you think that after the 6th question the difficulty level has peaked? i thought that it was slower, say, 12-15 questions to reach the most difficult quant questions.

Thats a good goal, kidderek! any advice for reaching that level?
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by beatthegmat » Sun May 14, 2006 9:12 pm
I don't have insight into the exact scoring algorithm, but I've been told that if you were to get every question right in a section, the question difficult significantly "flattens" out after a half dozen or so questions.

But you may be right, dblazquez. It may very well take a dozen questions for the difficulty level to completely peak.

In any case, the principle is the same. Do your best to start of each section strong. The sooner you get to those difficult questions, the better (that means you are doing well!).

Best of luck!
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by kidderek » Wed May 17, 2006 4:04 pm
I don't have insight into the exact scoring algorithm, but I've been told that if you were to get every question right in a section, the question difficult significantly "flattens" out after a half dozen or so questions.

But you may be right, dblazquez. It may very well take a dozen questions for the difficulty level to completely peak.

Best of luck!
I think half a dozen or so is a really small amount of questions before moving into difficulty level, of course i base this on absolutely nothing.

ALSO, how do experimental questions work? From what I've read, I believe about a quarter of the questions are experimental. How does the difficulty level work with experimental? Is it similar to the regular CAT format? get a few questions right and you get a diificult experimental?

I remember reading somewhere, I believe it was Princeton Review, where they said not to be flustered by seeing a medium difficulty question after a series of questions you thought you got right because it may be an experimental question.
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by beatthegmat » Wed May 17, 2006 4:24 pm
You may be right, kidderek. Neither of us has complete insight into the GMAT scoring algorithm, so this conversation is purely based on speculation.

I do know that experimental questions do not have an impact on your score, or the progression of difficulty in a given section. I tend to believe the Princeton Review book, that you should not feel flustered by seeing a medium or easy question in the middle of your section because it may be experimental.

My advice for test takers out there is to not read too much into figuring out whether a question is difficult or not on the real test. You don't want to psyche yourself into thinking your are performing poorly, when that may not be the case at all.

Just tackle each question one at the time and do your best to get it correct! You don't want to lose your focus by thinking about algorithms...

Best of luck!

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