GMAC CAT exam vs Actual GMAT

[jz95104]

I spoke to two of my buddies who took the GMAT before and they all told me that the software GMAC gave us after we sign up for the GMAT is actually harder than the actual GMAT exam.

I'm just wondering if all you successful GMAT killers have experienced the same thing.

[aim-wsc]

...not always necessary.
It's a common perception in GMAT takers that both GMAT Prep s/w & real GMAT test have more or less the same structure & probable score.

PS: moving to the GMAT strategy section

[Stacey Koprince]

GMATPrep uses the same algorithm as the official test and its database of questions consists entirely of questions that have appeared on the official exam in the past.

Our perceptions of one test being harder than another are just that - perceptions. There are many reasons why someone would think one test (whether GMATPrep or official) is harder than another - the difference in prep because the tests are taken at different times, the random mix of questions you happen to get on each test, the elevated stress level of the real test vs. a practice test, etc. The tests themselves are basically the same - the only substantive difference is that you know, psychologically, that the real thing counts and the practice test doesn't.