Guys.. esp the folks who are the fag end of their prep or have just completed the GMAT... please evaluate and rate the different CATs/tests out there.

In particular please evaluate them as to how good indicators they are of the actual GMAT and their diffculty level.

- Manhattan GMAT CATs (3 for $24)
- 800score tests (5 for $19.95)
- Crack-GMAT CATs (5 for $19.95)
- Veritas (Part of their package)
- GMATClub Challenges (25 for $79)
http://www.gmatclub.com/wiki/Tests

- Kaplan CATs (we have enuff enough already)
- Princeton Review CATs (we have enuff enough already)

I think this will really help folks preparing for the GMAT (like me!) to go the last mile and conquer the GMAT!!

Please contribute!

Thanka
abhiforever

GMATClub Challenges (25 for $79)

It helped me to bump my Quant score from 47 to 50 which puts me in the 95% percentile for Quant

Apart from my own benefit , i feel it is a way of giving back to the gmatclub instead of a nominal donation..

Interesting topic. I dont recall having a discussion about this.

No matter what tests you buy, I would recommend that you take a learning approach. Make sure that you truly understand why you got an answer correct and why you got an answer wrong.

regards
Praetorian

I have used following and my preference for materials are

1) GMATClub Challenges (25 for $79) ,
Best Math questions ever if you finish 25 challenges and can solve each and every questions 49+ is yours.
2) Manhattan GMAT CATs (3 for $24)
Very good Test and explanation, though some questions were too time consuming to be in real exam!
3) Kaplan CATs
Good tricks and though questions in both Math and Verbal, just don’t believe their scores.
3) Princeton Review CATs (Same rank as Kaplan)
Nice thing about this CD is you can create multiple logins and keep giving tests. As test is adaptive you may find big overlap if you are really improving. Though, some questions may be repeated.

One other software I have used and really liked is Cambridge CD(~20$). They have around 5-6 CAT and I would place them before Kaplan and Princeton!

First time I took the GMATS, I prepared with the following materials:

- Kaplan CATs - good way to begin and learn the basics. However, I didn't feel like the questions prepared me for the real exam. Actual test was much harder. Also, scores weren't reflective of my real performance.

- 800score test - these tests are a bit harder than the Kaplan tests and did a better job layering different concepts.

This time around, I'm using the following tests for prep:

- GMATClub Challenges - I've only begun taking the club challenges but I have to say that they are one of the best resources out there for Quant. If you want to do well, I highly recommend getting this.

- Manhattan GMAT CATs - I just purchased this. Will let you know what I think of the materials.

I have taken 1 MAGMAT test, 1PR test, 1 GMATPrep test, and several Challenges.

I must say that GMAT Club challenges are the best of the lot for Quant.
Challenges cover *almost all* topics in GMAT Quant. The questions are TOUGH/TRICKY - basically make you think in the right direction.

Here is how I would go about utilizing the Challenges.
1. Start taking the challenges 4-6 weeks before your final test. YES you will need atleast 25 to 30 days to digest all of the information.
2. Spend time analyzing your mistakes.
3. Be sure to SPEND TIME AND ANALYZE EACH question. Initially you might take more time but its worth the effort!
4. Take a break after 5 Challenges. For the topics/areas - For eg. Mean/Median/Mode, Absolute values - you consistently miss questions, go back and STUDY THE FUNDAMENTALS.
5. Make a list of your errors in EACH category and review them once a week.
6. DON'T GET DISCOURAGED by your performance on the test. The ones who scored 98-99% on Challenges are GODs of QUANT - some of the smartest people on this planet. Don't compare yourself with others right from test1. After taking a few challenges, you will reach a stable range of scores.

Good luck!

I'd like to add Upstart Raising to the list

This challenge thing seems promising. What if I just did the practice questions? Some of them are free. Is that good enough, or should I purchase the actual challenges?

the MGMAT CATs are the one that u get online when u buy a book or are different ones...

How do I purchase the GMAT Club Challenge? Does it come with the solution?

thanks!

Yes, explanations are provided.

http://www.gmatclub.com/wiki/Tests

Hi, I just paid for access for the GMAT challenge. when can i start getting the access.

Thanks

Thanh

Here is my take. I used a lot of these as well as bellcurves.net..
I took the test in July and got a 750 (Q 49, V 44)..

Manhattan GMAT CATs (3 for $24)
A MUST very helpful for problem concepts and a lot of questions are similar to MGMAT
Verbal is good but as with all other providers, they can't match the OG and some of the questions in CR especially are iffy..Expect a score of about 20-40 points higher on actual GMAT as MGAT is harder..


- 800score tests (5 for $19.95)
I wouldn't really recommend this..

- Crack-GMAT CATs (5 for $19.95)
Great resource for Quant.. DO NOT use VERBAL

- Veritas (Part of their package)
??

- GMATClub Challenges (25 for $79)
A MUST You need this Resource to learn how to solve harder problems.. Best money I spent aside from the MGMAT SC book.. If you can get 80 percentile (not 80% right) on the challenges consistently and know your fundamentals, you should be fine for 45+ quant

- Kaplan CATs (we have enuff enough already)
- Princeton Review CATs (we have enuff enough already)

Hi,

I purchased the challeges 25. When will i be receiving them?

Dears,
Can anybody of you who purchased the gmat club challange , tell me is it sent in hardcopies to shipping address or they open the access through internet ? How long does it take?
I tried to buy the set but having a problem of stupid paypal, it doesnot allow to chage the country of shipping address. My billing address is different than shipping address as former is India and later is Belgium.

Once you pay for the Challenges, Praet will enable your access and you should be able to access them online with your user id and pass

HI..I PAID FR THE ONLINE TESTS 2 DAYS AGO..$79..WEN WILL MY TESTS BE ACTIVATED.?
THANK U

THis is very helpful thank you all for posting this.

Are the GMAT club challenges a list of practice questions or are they online exams? Just wondering.

they are online tests