590 Diagnostic - What does this mean?

[wesfarmer]

Hey all,
I just took a diagnostic CAT and received a 590. I had not looked at anything before taking this test so this is most certainly a baseline score. What does this mean? Is this a good place to start? How high can I go if I improve as much as the average student?

Thanks in advance!

[Jim@StratusPrep]

This is just an indication of your starting point. Typically students can increase their score between 50-100 points with a proper study program. It is tough to give a concrete answer right now as it depends on why you got stuff wrong. Simply didn't remember concepts or the concepts were over your head? Likely it is the former and some study can significantly improve your score.

Good luck.

[Bschool2013]

Hey all,
I just took a diagnostic CAT and received a 590. I had not looked at anything before taking this test so this is most certainly a baseline score. What does this mean? Is this a good place to start? How high can I go if I improve as much as the average student?

Thanks in advance!

It means that once you familiarize yourself with the test, get the proper pacing down, and learn techniques such as how to attack data sufficiency problems, your score should increase dramatically.

I scored a 590 on my diagnostic with zero prep, scored a 660 on my first try with the real GMAT and ended up with a 700 on my final attempt. Dig into the material and you'll see that knowing the test is just as important as content.