What is up with the Kaplan tests?

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wgrau: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 56; Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:02 pm; Thanked: 5 times; GMAT Score:720

by wgrau » Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:02 pm

Hey there. I posted this in the "ask a rep" section, but I wanted to get others feedback as well. I am becoming highly suspicious of these Kaplan tests. I understand that many believe that they are skewed low because of the score guarantee, but I find the results of test 3 to be very odd. Let me know what you think.

I am enrolled in the in-class prep course. I have taken the GMAT and wanted to improve my score, so I enrolled. I took my third practice GMAT today, and the score was completely off the wall. Here is my score history including my real GMAT.

Gmat 680 (86%) 44V (97%) 39Q (55%)
Diagnostic 690 (92%) 43V (97%) 41Q (67%)
CAT 1 660 (83%) 48V (9%) 38Q (53%)
CAT 2 640 (76%) 44V (97%) 38Q (53%)
CAT 3 700 (90%) 34V (69%) 52Q (99%)

How the heck did the Quat score get up into the stratosphere? How are these tests even scaled? I haven't even heard of a 52, and believe me, there was no way I was answering 99th percentile quant questions in test 3. What is going on with the scoring? Or is it a matter of the question pools. I was noticing that the quant questions were very similar to questions that were just reviewed in the last class. Are the tests built with indiviual question pools that replicate information that has just been taught? WTF? (and I mean that in the nicest way possible - I am utterly confused!)

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Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:02 pm

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by beatthegmat » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:19 pm

I'm very curious to hear what Kaplan says about this too. 52Q is a bit suspicious!

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dr82: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 3; Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:33 am; Location: United States

by dr82 » Thu Apr 09, 2009 2:20 pm

Very interesting you bring this up. I am also taking the Kaplan in-class course....and my CATs have been all over the board.

Before the class started, I took a GMAC CAT and scored 640.

Kaplan Diagnostic - 620
CAT 1 - 600
CAT 2 - 610
CAT 3 - 690 (also got a 52 Quant, 99%, but only a 31 verbal (58%))....I hadnt scored above 80% on quant before, then drop a 99%?! )
CAT 4 - 680 (40 Quant 59%, 48 Verbal 99%). I am befuddled - within a matter of days I have two 99% scores, but on the opposite sections. The ratios are almost identical for the opposite sections too.

For both my 99% sections I dont feel like I was answering 99% type questions, although it is more difficult to diagnose difficulty on the Verbal.

My exam is in 9 days, and I dont even know where my strengths are anymore. I'm taking a GMAC test tonight to hopefully gain some insight as to where I stand. I'd like to think I'm in position for 700+, but who knows at this point.

Good luck!

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wgrau: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 56; Joined: Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:02 pm; Thanked: 5 times; GMAT Score:720

by wgrau » Fri Apr 10, 2009 6:20 am

I am not looking at the Kaplan tests as a predictor anymore. The scoring seems to be too far off. I will use them to track my progress though, but even this could be a stretch given the varied results.

I spoke with my instructor, and he confirmed that the Kaplan tests pull from a question bank unique for each test. This would seem to suggest an ability for Kaplan to "game" the tests to hit areas that were just taught, which would skew the results to show progress in Kaplan's favor. This is in contrast to methods used by other prep companies. I believe MGMAT uses one question pool for all of their tests.

Don't let yourself get flustered DR82. If you score like you did on your last test, you will definitely score a 700.

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dr82: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 3; Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2009 11:33 am; Location: United States

by dr82 » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:15 am

I am pretty much in the same boat as you it sounds like - I am not going to lose sleep over my Kaplan scores. As long as I am within a wide range (say 600 - 700) on the Kaplan tests I feel ok.

For a point of reference, I did take a GMAC test last night and scored 670 - although with some horrendously careless Quant mistakes. If I can eliminate those I'll likely be in the 690-700 range, which gives me a fighting chance on test day next weekend.

I have my ultimate practice test tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes - I'm going to try and focus on improving in weak areas rather than my final score.

Good luck to you.

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