GMATPrep: ace the questions OR use it to evaluate progress?

[jsl]

Hi guys,

I did a GMATPrep test at the beginning of my studies 3 months ago. I am planning to take my GMAT in roughly 2 months and I want to get your advice on the GMATPrep test, which you can download from mba.com

Should you use this software to:

• 1. ace it in order to be able to do the real thing?
  2. use it to try to accurately benchmark your progress?

It is widely accepted that this test is the most accurate predictor of how you will do on your GMAT. The scoring algorithm seems valuable but will obviously become skewed if you use the test too much.

Please can anyone offer their advice? Should I use this test to benchmark my progress or should I use it to learn the question types inside out?

[ahalani]

I used the GMATPrep to gauge my standing at two different points in my preparation (4 weeks before my original date, and 2 weeks before my new date, which is 8/25/08 ). The benefits to these tests obviously are that they are as close to the real thing as you will find. I also used MGMAT CATs.

However, many of these questions appear in the OG guides as well. So essentially by getting to know the OG guides, you are getting to know the GMATPrep.

JMO and observations.