Please help analyze my scores !

[Mani_mba]

Hello,

I have been taking Mock tests for the past 10 days: My scores are as follows

I. Kaplan CD CAT1 - 600 (50Q,29V)
II MGMAT Free Test - 690 (48Q,36V)
III Princeton Free test - 630 (47Q,30V)

I just want to know where i stand as the scores are not consistent.

I will be taking my GMAT in 20 days. And i am aiming for a 700+ score. Is that realistic with my current progress ?

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks !!

[lunarpower]

I just want to know where i stand as the scores are not consistent.

that variation is substantial, but not unreasonable.
the actual test has a standard deviation of 30 points (post back if you don't really know what that means).
tests made by test prep companies don't have precisely calibrated standard deviations, but their SD's are almost certainly higher than 30 points, because no test prep company puts the same amount of research and development into their practice tests as GMAC does into the official tests. it's just not possible - test prep companies have to devote most of their effort to teaching and curriculum, so there's no way they could calibrate their practice tests as precisely as does GMAC.

so, the short answer: you should expect a fair amount of variation on your practice tests. a 90-point spread may be frustrating, but it's by no means "extreme" or "unreasonable".

I will be taking my GMAT in 20 days. And i am aiming for a 700+ score. Is that realistic with my current progress ?

how are you studying?
what are you studying?
for how long per day?
what is your history with standardized tests?
have you been practicing faithfully under timed conditions?
do you have a positive attitude toward studying, or are you stressed out about it all the time?

we can't reasonably answer a question about possible scores without answers to pretty much all of these questions.

[Stacey Koprince]

Agree with Ron! Also, I have a few more questions.

Have you taken GMATPrep? What were your results there?

What are your specific strengths and weaknesses? Are you struggling with content, technique, timing, or all of the above?

If content, what specifically is giving you the most trouble? (eg, in SC, modifiers and verbs) Include in this category the different types of questions for CR and RC (eg, find an assumption vs. weaken or inference vs. main idea).

On what types of questions or content areas are you struggling with technique or timing? (Technique is knowing how to identify / categorize a particular type of question and knowing what you're expected to do / answer as you move through the problem.)

What kinds of errors do you tend to make repeatedly? Why are you making those errors - does it have to do with knowledge of the fundamental concept, or more with execution of the test-taking technique? Or timing?

Also, from the results you posted, it looks like your quant is a bit more consistent but your verbal fluctuates a bit more (although, really, it's tough to draw even that conclusion because you took tests from three different companies - you should expect some differences just based on that). Have you noticed yourself that your performance on verbal tends to fluctuate a bit?

How was your timing in the verbal section? Did you generally move steadily through the test, giving appropriate time and attention to each question? (1.5m for SC, 2m for CR, 2-4m to read a passage, 1m for general RC questions, 2m for specific RC questions) Or did you have to rush at times and possibly make random guesses? If you did have to rush and/or make random guesses, on how many questions would you say you did that? Did you do it on a lot of questions in a row or were the guesses scattered?

How was your stamina? Did you always do the essays first? How did you feel toward the middle and end of the verbal section? Did you have something to eat and drink on the breaks? Did you get up, walk around, and stretch?

[Mani_mba]

Thanks for the replies Ron and Stacey. I too realize that GMAT PREP is a good simulator to know my competence. The problem here is that, i have already taken them twice when i prepared for my GMAT first attempt (In the month of August). And if i take again, there is a great chance that i won't see a new set of questions.

Is powerprep simulator a good indicator of the score level ?

Or i think i will have to buy MGMAT CATs. if i take MGMAT CATs instead of taking tests from different companies, i think we can understand better as the scores would be almost consistent.

[Stacey Koprince]

We certainly do like our own tests, but we're biased of course.

If you re-take any tests on which you might see question repeats, follow these guidelines to minimize the artificial increase you might have in your score:

First, anytime you see a problem that you remember (and this means: I know the answer or I'm pretty sure I remember the answer, not just "hmm, this looks familiar..."), immediately look at the timer and make yourself sit there for the full length of time for that question type. This way, you don't artificially give yourself more time than you should have. Second, think about whether you got this problem right the last time. If you did, get it right again this time. If you didn't, get it wrong again. If you *completely honestly* think that you would get it right this time around if it were a new question (even though you got it wrong last time) because you've studied that area and improved, then get it right this time.