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The_Optimist
- Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Sat Sep 04, 2010 5:59 pm
Hi
I need your opinion and suggestions. My actual test is in 2 weeks time and I can use some help from experts and fellow aspirants alike. Please help!
Here's what I have done so far -
I have used GMATPrep and MGMAT CAT for my practice tests so far. For the past 2 months I have tried gauging my progress by taking up the test simulation ordeal. I have taken all the practice tests in true simulation (as far possible) of the actual one - wrote 2 essays everytime with a topic randomly chosen from OG12, took 5 minute breaks in between sections and didn't even drink water in between. I even used the air conditioner to make the room a little too chilly - this helped to simulate the nervous tension factor. I tried timing the exams around the same time period of the day when my actual test is scheduled.
Now, the scores that I obtained in GMATPrep are almost the same all the time (in spite of me doing a whole lot better in tackling practice questions from this forum or from practice materials). My MGMAT score improved by 50 point over a period of 32 days while my GMATPrep score recorded a mere 20 points increase in about 50+ days. I have hit a wall and in spite of all my attempts am still behind the wall.
Here are the scores of individual tests, arranged in chronological order, the oldest tests first:
GMATPrep Practice Test 1: 700 (Q47 V39)
Manhattan CAT 1: 640 (Q43 V34)
GMATPrep Practice Test 2: 710 (Q50 V36)
GMATPrep Practice Test 1 - 2nd Attempt: 710 (Q49 V37)
GMATPrep Practice Test 2 - 2nd Attempt: 700 (Q48 V38)
MGMAT CAT 2 : 690 (Q47 V37)
GMATPrep Practice Test 1 - 3rd Attempt: 720 (Q50 V38)
I haven't seen many common questions in my GMATPrep exams and hence they aren't that skewed, probably, almost original. I did see a few common questions in the verbal section of my last test but I could just remember seeing these questions - didn't remember anything about their solution.
The aforementioned is the background for my queries. Here they are:
1) When compared to the actual test how would you rate the GMATPrep tests? Please comment on the relative complexity of questions in each section - that would be very helpful. Are they at all reliable as a true indicator?I got a 700 in my first diagnostic test with this software and after 2 months of solid preparation I'm still getting 720 - probably defects in my preparatioin model but what confuses me is the contrasting improvement of my performance with practice materials. If I haven't improved much, which is what GMATPrep suggests should I not be seeing the same when solving practice materials? Utterly confused. Experts' help is highly solicited.
2) From my scores it seems to me that verbal has a huge scope of improvement. But, unfortunately, I have only 2 weeks of time left. I think I fare pretty well in CR, am decent in RC but still an ape when it comes to SC. I am reading the SC Bible with hopes of improvement. Other materials include OG12, VR2, GMAT 800 (2006-2007) and Princeton Review 2010 with RC strategy from Kaplan 2009. Any suggestions and varied opinions will surely help.
The post got a little too lengthy but I'm a little too eager to provide as much information as possible so that you can understand my situation better. I'll greatly appreciate your opinion and suggestions.
Thanks
Nabrina
I need your opinion and suggestions. My actual test is in 2 weeks time and I can use some help from experts and fellow aspirants alike. Please help!
Here's what I have done so far -
I have used GMATPrep and MGMAT CAT for my practice tests so far. For the past 2 months I have tried gauging my progress by taking up the test simulation ordeal. I have taken all the practice tests in true simulation (as far possible) of the actual one - wrote 2 essays everytime with a topic randomly chosen from OG12, took 5 minute breaks in between sections and didn't even drink water in between. I even used the air conditioner to make the room a little too chilly - this helped to simulate the nervous tension factor. I tried timing the exams around the same time period of the day when my actual test is scheduled.
Now, the scores that I obtained in GMATPrep are almost the same all the time (in spite of me doing a whole lot better in tackling practice questions from this forum or from practice materials). My MGMAT score improved by 50 point over a period of 32 days while my GMATPrep score recorded a mere 20 points increase in about 50+ days. I have hit a wall and in spite of all my attempts am still behind the wall.
Here are the scores of individual tests, arranged in chronological order, the oldest tests first:
GMATPrep Practice Test 1: 700 (Q47 V39)
Manhattan CAT 1: 640 (Q43 V34)
GMATPrep Practice Test 2: 710 (Q50 V36)
GMATPrep Practice Test 1 - 2nd Attempt: 710 (Q49 V37)
GMATPrep Practice Test 2 - 2nd Attempt: 700 (Q48 V38)
MGMAT CAT 2 : 690 (Q47 V37)
GMATPrep Practice Test 1 - 3rd Attempt: 720 (Q50 V38)
I haven't seen many common questions in my GMATPrep exams and hence they aren't that skewed, probably, almost original. I did see a few common questions in the verbal section of my last test but I could just remember seeing these questions - didn't remember anything about their solution.
The aforementioned is the background for my queries. Here they are:
1) When compared to the actual test how would you rate the GMATPrep tests? Please comment on the relative complexity of questions in each section - that would be very helpful. Are they at all reliable as a true indicator?I got a 700 in my first diagnostic test with this software and after 2 months of solid preparation I'm still getting 720 - probably defects in my preparatioin model but what confuses me is the contrasting improvement of my performance with practice materials. If I haven't improved much, which is what GMATPrep suggests should I not be seeing the same when solving practice materials? Utterly confused. Experts' help is highly solicited.
2) From my scores it seems to me that verbal has a huge scope of improvement. But, unfortunately, I have only 2 weeks of time left. I think I fare pretty well in CR, am decent in RC but still an ape when it comes to SC. I am reading the SC Bible with hopes of improvement. Other materials include OG12, VR2, GMAT 800 (2006-2007) and Princeton Review 2010 with RC strategy from Kaplan 2009. Any suggestions and varied opinions will surely help.
The post got a little too lengthy but I'm a little too eager to provide as much information as possible so that you can understand my situation better. I'll greatly appreciate your opinion and suggestions.
Thanks
Nabrina
