10 days to go: Which Practice CATs

[vik123]

Guys,

I have 11 days to go. I have given 4 CATs in the last few days:

1 GMAT Prep (740) and 3 MGMATs (670, 710, 750)

I plan to take the next GMAT prep CAT during the next weekend.

I like the MGMAT CATs, although their quant is a little tough. They also have a very good assessment report which have helped me find critical areas. Overall I feel like I am learning from these tests.

Is there any disadvantage in sticking with CATs from a single source. Should I also try out other CATs (Kaplan or Princeton) to get a different perspective? Is there any merit in taking CATs from different sources?

Thanks,
Vik

[mayonnai5e]

There are merits to taking different cats IF you run out of cats to do. MGMAT, in my opinion, has the second best cat after the GMATPrep so my advice is to continue working with that cat. Indeed, sticking with one cat is actually a good idea because it means you are comparing apples to apples when it comes to your scores. If you use the same cat, you are guaranteed the same algorithm is being used so the scores can be compared effectively.

If you, for example, take a PR cat and an MGMAT cat, the algorithms used to calculate your score depend on the individual companies' interpretation of what they "THINK" is the correct algorithm so the two scores cannot be compared with a great amount of confidence.

Finish up the rest of the MGMAT cats and then do the last GMATPrep. Your scores are very good so you should feel good about them!

Good luck.

[vik123]

Thanks mayonnai5e for the reply.

Yes I think I will stick with MGMAT tests. Looks like I am learning from them.

[vik123]

Hi mayonnai5e,

Since my last post, I have given a couple more CATs:

8/7: MGMAT-4 Score = 770 (Q51, V44) : The GMAT scoring algorithm might be a little skewed in the higher 700s.

8/10: GMAT-prep CAT2 Score = 760 (Q50, V42). This is a little skewed as well. Since I got an RC which I was vaguely familiar with from OG11. I did take your advice and spend atleast 2 minutes on each question.

In any case, I am shooting for something over 740. Hope I will be able to keep it up.

My test is on the 16th of August. I have five days to go. My plan is take another MGMAT test on 13th. Other than I plan to practice atleast a few questions of each type from verbal review and quant review. I am working for 4 of the days so can't go beyond this.

Any advice on how to better spend my last 5 days would be greatly appreciated.

[ahalani]

Hey Vik,

Just wanted to let you know that MGMAT has admitted to an issue with the later CATs if you have scored highly on the first few CATs. Essentially if you are at least in the high 600s, you'll run out of 700-800 questions by the 4th or 5th CAT.

[jsl]

...MGMAT has admitted to an issue with the later CATs if you have scored highly on the first few CATs. Essentially if you are at least in the high 600s, you'll run out of 700-800 questions by the 4th or 5th CAT.

That's interesting... can you provide a link to an article or thread to back up that claim?

Thanks!

[vik123]

I am aware of the problem with MGMAT CATs. The following is the link:

https://www.manhattangmat.com/forums/str ... t4201.html

Despite that, I plan to take another MGMAT CAT tomorrow. I can't find anything better than MGMAT CAT. I gave a Kaplan CAT yesterday, got a 730, but I don't think it reflects the GMAT format.

Vik.

[mayonnai5e]

In the final days, I actually do not recommend doing more cats as you will probably learn very little from the last cat. You simply won't have the time to learn from your lessons, practice what you've learned and consolidate them into your thinking patterns. These things take time and doing a cat 1 or 2 days before the real deal is generally not a good idea. My suggestion is to instead go over all your lessons learned, your error logs, your old cats. Revisit all the things that you've achieved and review all your lessons. This will not only be a very wise use of time, but will also reinforce your confidence.

Good luck - you seem well prepared!

[vik123]

Hey I gave my GMAT last saturday and scored a whopping 770 (Q50, V46) .

Thanks guys for all the replies.

[mayonnai5e]

Wow what an amazing score! Maybe you should have been giving me advice not the other way around. =)

[GoMBA]

Lucky you! Congratulations on a stellar performance.

Can you share some tips like your prep plan, books/materials used, prac tests, any other tips you have for us wannabees.

TIA.

[vik123]

I have already posted a message on the "I just beat the GMAT" forum. Please take a look.

Btw I got my official score report today: A 6.0 on AWA...a great GMAT outing indeed