Accuracy of scores on practice?

[jmn231]

I recently enrolled in Manhattan GMAT's 9-week class and have learned various techniques and skills.

I took my first 3 CAT exams from the course, scoring 650, 650, 650 (Q44, V35). Anyways, I realized some flaws in the way I was approaching some problems, hunkered down on studying for verbal, and refreshed myself between Quant and Verbal on my most recent practice exam since I was truly running out of steam about halfway through verbal.

The results? Well, the test was GMATPrep (as we all know, produced by the GMAC) and my score was Q49 V44 (for a score of 750). I reviewed all of my questions and only got one question right where I had guessed (so I'm trusting these results). The question is this: How representative is the GMATPrep practice of the actual GMAT?

Second question: What are some other good practice tests? I think the MGMAT tests are good, and have heard that Princeton Review and Kaplan are strong as well (though Kaplan tends to be tougher?). I've heard various reviewing about 800score exams, also. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Joe

[Stockmoose16]

I recently enrolled in Manhattan GMAT's 9-week class and have learned various techniques and skills.

I took my first 3 CAT exams from the course, scoring 650, 650, 650 (Q44, V35). Anyways, I realized some flaws in the way I was approaching some problems, hunkered down on studying for verbal, and refreshed myself between Quant and Verbal on my most recent practice exam since I was truly running out of steam about halfway through verbal.

The results? Well, the test was GMATPrep (as we all know, produced by the GMAC) and my score was Q49 V44 (for a score of 750). I reviewed all of my questions and only got one question right where I had guessed (so I'm trusting these results). The question is this: How representative is the GMATPrep practice of the actual GMAT?

Second question: What are some other good practice tests? I think the MGMAT tests are good, and have heard that Princeton Review and Kaplan are strong as well (though Kaplan tends to be tougher?). I've heard various reviewing about 800score exams, also. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Joe

Joe,

GMATPREP is certainly the most accurate predictor. Don't trust the algorithm used by any of the prep companies. I took all 6 MGMAT tests and scored anywhere from a 530 - 690. I took GMAT PREP #2 and scored a 740. Then I took Princeton Review's free CAT and scored a 680, even though I only missed 6 quant questions and 5 verbal questions. On the Princeton Review verbal section, I had a string of 21 consecutive straight answers, and the scorecard said I was only in the 91st percentile. The GMATPREP said I was in the 99th percentile when I missed 5 questions.

So, bottom line is, the prep material is helpful for, well, PREP. The scores are not accurate. MGMAT math is definitely harder than the real thing, so add 40-50 points to any of their tests.

[3gmater]

Even GPREP has a SD of 30 points.....but is by far the best software.

Take other tests by grain of salt. PR has a faulty algorithm (although I liked their verbal questions). I scored 44 in Quant in one of the PR practice tests....although I got only 3 incorrect.

After my 4 attempts I have realized that the practice tests from all the test prep companies ......are just meant for "practice". Don't take the scores too seriously whether it is low or high (obviously....too low score is a concern)