Took MGMAT CAT and feeling good

[trahul4]

Hi,

I took the first 2 MGMAT CATs and score 670 in both of them. However the breakdowns are different . In the first one i scored Q43 V38 total 670 and in the second, I scored Q48,V34 total 670.

My main problem is I have exhausted both the GMATPrep tests 1 month back when I was in the midst of my preparation. I had scored 620 and 640 on the 2 tests. Now , however, with decent score ( at least by my standards) of 670 on the couple of MGMAT CATs, shall I go ahead and take the real GMAT. I do not want to retake GMATPrep as it will give me false sense of confidence since I have used them once. My target score is 680-700 and I have another 3 weeks to go for the real test.
I would appreciate your comments on this.

Thanks.

[Stacey Koprince]

Our tests have a standard deviation of about 50 points, so a 670 score correlates to something in the range of 620 to 720 on the real test. GMAC does not publish the standard deviation for GMATPrep, but the standard deviation for the official test is about 30 points, so we can assume GMATPrep is not quite as good as the complete real thing but probably better than ours since it's sort of a "dumbed down" version of the real thing. Let's call it 40.

If you have another 3 weeks, you'll probably want to take one more practice test, at about the 10-7 days to go mark. If you still have access to our tests, you can take another - it's not quite as good as GMATPrep, but it's pretty close. You can, of course, try to do another GMATPrep, and you may not even see any question repeats, but you are more likely to see a few than not to see any at all. You could try doing that first and, if you are recognizing too many, then stop and take one of our tests instead.

But you do want to take another test - it's nice that you've gotten two 670s but the split was a bit different in each, so you want to figure out what to do to avoid a situation where you perform at the low end of your range for both the math and the verbal.

[trahul4]

Thanks Stacey. You made valid points. I still have access to 4 MGMAT tests. I shall be taking GMATPrep repeat this weekend and another MGMAT CAT probably by Monday and will update upon the results. In this way, may be i will be getting more clear picture.

Thanks.

[beatthegmat]

Good luck, trahul! Looks like you're within striking range of your target score...

[trahul4]

Thanks Eric. I'm up for another GMATPrep and MGMAT CAT #3 in coming 3 days . Will update once done.

[beatthegmat]

Please do keep us updated! Best of luck!

[trahul4]

Hi Stacey, Eric,

I took GMATPrep 1 repeat yesterday and again scored a 670 (Q49 V32).
I dont know why this number 670 has stuck me. This has been a huge blow to my confidence since i could make out 2-3 repeats in both math and verbal.
I think i had a bad day with verbal, i got only 14 worng and yet scored 32. The RC which i got in the 5th question was extremly difficult (i had got the first 4 correct) and i completly messed it up and from then on i did not get a chance to recover. All in all, a score of 32 in verbal is pretty much disappointing.
I have not yet taken MGMAT CAT #3 and will update you once done. If i dont score 700+ on this CAT then i would seriously think on re-scheduling.

Thanks.

[trahul4]

Hi Stacey, Eric,

I had a horrible MGMAT CAT#3 test jsut now and i have been clobbered. I got a 630 (Q42 V34) . My confidence is at an all time low.
However, i have a comfor feeling that i have performed at the lower end of my ability and i know if i perform at the higher end, my scores will hugely improve. Any comments ?

[beatthegmat]

Hi Stacey, Eric,

I had a horrible MGMAT CAT#3 test jsut now and i have been clobbered. I got a 630 (Q42 V34) . My confidence is at an all time low.
However, i have a comfor feeling that i have performed at the lower end of my ability and i know if i perform at the higher end, my scores will hugely improve. Any comments ?

Try not to read too much into one GMAT practice test--it's quite normal to have one performance that seems out of line.

Have you taken a GMATPrep test lately? These tests are the best indicators of your actual GMAT performance, moreso than any other practice exam.

The important thing for you to do is to analyze your tests and go back and look at the questions you got right and wrong. Do you see patterns of errors? Do you understand why you got certain questions wrong? If you can go through a thorough analysis and learn from mistakes, then you've made a lot of progress.

Best of luck!

[trahul4]

Yes Eric, you make valid points. I took GMATPrep couple of days back and had scored 670 ( this was repeat and i easily identified 2-3 questionso n both math and verbal).. so i believe that score should be reduced by at least 20-30 points.

[trahul4]

Hi Eric, Stacey,

I took powerprep CAT #1 today and scored a 710 (Q49, V38). Although i could very well recognize 4-5 questions in verbal, i will take this score after MGMAT cat #3. I think i have determined my score range whih is from 640-720. On a good day, i will score a 720 and on a worse day i will end up at 640. I should be happy with score somewhere inbetween 680+. What do you say?

[Stacey Koprince]

Your range is within one standard deviation of 680 on the tests, so generally, yes. There is a little bit of luck involved on test day, both in terms of how "on" you are and in terms of the mix of questions you happen to get (how well those questions match your strengths and weaknesses).

[trahul4]

Yes stacey. Hopefully i get the run of luck on my side. Anyways i still have 3 more weeks to go for the real test and im planinng to concentrate on verbal. I know if i score somewhere in hig 30's in verbal, i will be in for 700. Wish me luck.

[beatthegmat]

You certainly seem within range!

[trahul4]

Hi ,

Took the rela GMAT and scored a disappointing 660 (Q48 V34). This has been a very bad experience. Not yet decided on retake but i think i blopped in Verbal.

Thanks for all your support in my journey till now and will definitely continue being here.

Thanks.