710 Q47 V40 - Pearson Vue

Arggh! I took the test yesterday here in Korea at the Pearson VUE center. The test was free, but I'm kind of frustrated with the score. I'm still debating whether or not I should retake it.

Here is the breakdown:

Q47 - 81%
V40 - 91%

710 - 94%

I guess I should be happy with the score, but from the practice tests and studying that I did I was pretty confident that I would get between 730 and 750.

Before even touching any questions in the OG, my PP scores were 710 and 720.

I took two Kaplan CATs: 630 and 640.

And two Princeton Review CATs: 730 and 740.

And after going through the OG and analyzing my mistakes I took the PP CATs again: 790 and 780.

My strike rates for all the sections in the OG were around 90%.

Anyway, I'll write about my experience with Pearson VUE.

My appointment was for 12:30, but I got there around 11:40 and the clerk let me check-in and start the test early. She checked my confirmation letter from Pearson VUE and took my digital signature and fingerprint, as well as my photograph from a video camera hooked up to a computer.

She then gave me a checklist of rules to look over. I was disappointed that I couldn't take my watch into the testing room...I hate looking at the timer on the computer screen. No watches are allowed, even analog ones without alarm clocks. I was only allowed to take my locker key and passport in the testing room. Before entering the testing room I had to press my finger on a fingerprint recognition device and hand over my passport again. Before entering and right after leaving the room each time I had to go through this procedure.

What I think contributed to a possible loss of 20 or 30 points in my score was the marker and "erasable boards" I had to use. The boards were just just laminated white grid paper. Two of them. And I was told not to erase my work, but to just raise my hand and request more. I found this extremely frustrating during the quantitative section as it ate into my precious time. It didn't take long to fill up the paper. More annoying than this was the markers. I've always done all my mathwork with a mechanical pencil and found the markers awkward to write with. Even though they were fine-tip. Not only that, but I was only given one marker at a time and I had to replace them about three times just during the math section. The first two markers didn't write well - they just gave me used markers. Because of the constant replacing of markers and papers, I had trouble maintaining my pace. Needless to say, it rattled me and threw me off for the entire test. In hindsight, I should have found the best marker before going into the testing room. But, I shouldn't have to do this...Pearson VUE could easily shell out a new marker for each person and throw away all the old ones. This test really is about confidence and racing against time...so disturbances, no matter how minor, can have a big impact on your mindset.

One other difference, I think, is the break times. Ten minutes after the AWA, and ten minutes after the Quant section.

Anyway, as for content, nothing new to report here. I got a few probability questions. And lots of Data Sufficiency ones. The first ten in a row were DS. Much more fun to do the PS questions.

My score will get me into the schools I want to get into, I'm just wondering if I can get more $$$ for having a 740 or 750, instead of a 710. Any advice is welcome.

Well, I'll write more later, and if you have any questions, shoot.

how about the difficulty? does the test become easier or more difficult?

This is the only "real" GMAT I've taken, so I can't really say if it was more difficult or easier. I did find it slightly harder than the PowerPrep CATs. The difference is that the PowerPrep CATs didn't really throw a lot of hard bin questions at me over and over like the "real" GMAT did. Each of the questions appearing on the "real" GMAT weren't any harder than the more difficult ones in the OG. However, if I were to practice again, I would take sets of 37 tough questions from the OG or other ETS sources and get used to the pacing for having difficult questions over and over. The Kaplan practice CATs were good for that though. The Quant sections, I mean. The Verbal sections of the Kaplan reeked.

As for the Verbal section, the OG provides a very good approximation of what you'll see on the GMAT. I did encounter a few of the bold-faced CR types. Actually, the Verbal section started off with three or four CRs, then a reading passage. I was hoping to get some SCs in the beginning.

Many thanks!
Is the computer test interface similiar to the powerprep cat that we can download from internet?

As you may know, the interface color and other features of the summer test powerprep cat is quite different from the classic interface used by ETS. So I am wondering what is the situation of real test.

The interface was not much more different. A little more sleek and modern looking. The timer displayed seconds at all times, instead of just during the last few minutes. And when you confirm your answer a pop-up appears in the middle of the screen after each answer you choose. There is no 'confirm' button at the bottom of the screen like in the ETS interface.

The differences in the interface are nothing to worry about. But, you should get used to using a whiteboard and marker...

That is really distracting! My attention may be drawn to the timer from time to time. As time gets close to the end, I may become increasingly nervous!

hello ajr47,

please explain what this Pearson VUE test is about. Is it a trial test or something?

from 2006 and you can sign up this summer to take a free GMAT through them at various locations throughout the world. They are running this limited summer test to get feedback on their service. The score I got is valid and I can send reports to different universities for free. I just have to fill out a survey about my testing experience with them by a certain time.

You can download the new 'GMATprep' for the PEARSON VUE tests from the link below. The program itself is a bit heavy on the memory of your computer, so better run this one solely without running another program, unless you have over 1GB RAM.

GMATprepdownload

The questions are different from Powerprep materials, but if you're already done with papertests, you will see quite a number of overlapping questions. Also, it seems to be a beta version of the software, so you won't see any explanations to the CAT during review, just the answers.

ajr47:

Congratulations and good luck with your application.

During the test, the proctor gave you only two white boards and you needed to raise your hand to get more. Did the proctor replace your used boards, or did he give the new ones that kept added to the used ones until you finish the test?

As for AWA, if I do not proceed to the next section before time is up, can the system automatically save what I have written on the screen?

Many thanks for your answer!

How can you sign up for this.
-n

Congrats on the score!

i am curious to know if Pearson is calibrating correctly. You scored a:

Q47 - 81%
V40 - 91%

710 - 94%

good score no doubt but with a Q47 and V40 I would expect that to map closer to 730 than 710. I am basing this off of other people's breakdowns and what they got. any thoughts on this?

Regarding the Pearson VUE change...

Are there any LEFTY beta-testers here who can comment on their experience w/the markers & "erasable boards"? IE, any excessive smudging or smearing from hand drag?

To be PC, I suppose this question is also directed to any righties who write right-to-left. :)

Hi guys,

Managed to speak with a person from the Pearson testing center here in Singapore. She claims that the two-board rule is open to reconsideration, given the during beta testing, alot of candidates complained of the inconvenience of asking for more boards. They're reviewing the final number of boards to be given.

I've taken the Gmat before and plan to retake it this january. given my experience with the quant section and factoring in the thicker marker, i would say i would need around 5-10 boards for the entire section...

Can any of you guys confirm if the test score is being re-calibrated or is it using the same standards as ETS?

hey any one here know about free gmat test in india... plz help me out

Hi
Can u tell me how you registered for a free GMAT Test, can u send the link?
Thanks.

I am having exactly the same feeling here. I expected to have scored higher than 710(94%), 51(99%), 34(71%). and it is also enough for my program. but well, that may just be it, since it is just a score for application, not the real thing.

Super awesome. Thanks for the inspiration.