GMAT Prep & Power Prep Official Free GMAT Tests

GMAT Prep Test is one of the most essential tools in GMAT test prep. GMAT Prep is the Official GMAT Diagnostic Test with Real GMAT Questions.

!	Downloads Section GMATPpre v2 Current Version from MBA.com GMATPrep v1 2005 - 2006 PowerPrep 1999 - 2005 (overlaps with OG) Collection of all SC questions from GMAT Prep (don't take these until you have exhausted all of the tests)

1. What is GMAT Prep and where to download GMAT Prep?:
GMATPrep is a GMAT Simulator software provided by GMAC (General Management Admissions Council) for free to help MBA applicants prepare to the test.
It can be downloaded from GMAC's official website (MBA.com) http://www.mba.com/mba/TheGMAT/DownloadFreeTestPreparationSoftware/

2. Why is GMATPrep valuable?
The value of GMAT prep is that it is able to predict one's GMAT score more accurately than any other product on the market.
The key lies in using real gmat questions and same testing algorithm as GMAT. Also GMAT Prep test has the same interface as the real GMAT test, so that the experience from taking the GMAT Prep is very similar to the one in the test centre . No other product is able to provide this value.


3. Getting the Most out of GMAT Prep
Now there is a number of different strategies on how to use GMAT Prep tests most effectively. And the answer to which one is the best, of course is — it depends.
Most people agree that its good to keep one test till the end of the preparation process to use it as an accurate estimator of the GMAT score.

Though some people recommend to take it more than two times... one or two extra times in order to get new questions. Some real fans even go to the extent of squeezing all the life out of it by taking the test until they don't see any new questions. It's up to you to decide whether this is a good strategy for you. But if you ever want to take GMAT Prep more then twice here is how to do it:

GMAT Prep "Reset" - Reinstall
1.Go to C:\Program Files\GMATPrep\Exams
2.Within the Exams folder, you should see a Practice Test 1.log and a Practice Test 2.log
3.Delete or I'd say move to other location both logs*
4.Relaunch the GMAT Prep software, and it should show you that both practice exams are now Not Attempted, and you can take them again.

GMAT Prep "Reset" - Reinstall in Windows Vista (Special thanks: to bigoyal for researching this)
1. Basically same as above only GMATPrep creates folder in following location:
C:\Users\{user_name}\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\GMATPrep\exams
Note: {user_name} is your user name, it will vary from system to system
2. Usually you can go directly to AppData folder by typing in "%appdata" - in explorer window
3. Make sure explorer shows hidden files

Feedback from GMAT Club Members:
- Quant question pool is larger than verbal pool; if you take tests multiple times, the chances of seeing new question are higher for the Math section.
- Question pool for “hard” questions is fairly small and chances of seeing new questions when you get to 750+ score range is small.
- AWA questions are static and do not change

*To learn about GMATPrep Log files and how to read them, please see a post directly below


4. What is the difference between GMATPrep ver1 and GMATPrep ver2?
As reported by guptaji.
The two versions are quite different. Not too many repeats in the two versions of the GMATprep. There were some questions in the older GMATprep which are now on the OG12 and the Verbal Review for the OG, but not enough to make you feel that you are seeing a lot of repeat questions. Besides, in most of the repeat questions that I saw I almost always had to rework the problem and arrive at the answer. You hardly have the time to recollect the explanation/answer under timed conditions, especially in DS where you have to redo the problem even if you have solved the same problem just the day before. Even with the RCs and SCs it was like doing them for the first time.


5. Want 2 more adaptive tests? Use PowerPrep
PowerPrep is the previous version of GMATPrep developed by ETS. This software product is no longer supported by GMAC and no longer distributed, but we have a copy. It uses the older GMAT interface and potentially an older GMAT algorithm. Here are a few considerations about using PowerPrep.
1.There seems to be no question overlap between GMAT Prep, and Powerprep
2.There is, however, a significant overlap between OG and Powerprep, so if you already worked on OG, your score might be significantly inflated
3.There are reports that PowerPrep isn't truly adaptive and not as good of an indicator of performance on the real GMAT.
Download GMAT PowerPrep


6. What Other GMAT Preparation Resources Are Available?
GMAT Club Tests
GMAT test reviews, pricing and links.
Top 20 Most referenced GMAT books


7. Issues with GMATPrep Software
Practice Test 2: Application error has occurred. The Application will exit now
How to reinstall GMATPrep

GMATPrep Logs and how to use them
One of our forum members discovered that you can get a view behind the curtain of the GMATPrep software. Perhaps it will be useful to someone.

1. Open the c:\program files\gmatprep\exams directory.
2. Copy the exam logs. These are called practice test 1.log and practice test 2.log
3. Open the files in notepad.
4. Locate the section that reads:

2006-04-16 14.12.23.989:INFO :Item "QuantInstruction1" presented

Immediately after that, you will find:

2006-04-16 14.12.25.208:INFO :Navigate next requested

This is now your first Math question.

You will see something like:

2006-04-16 14.12.15.451:INFO :Item "187:009380" eligibility from STRICT to NONE - [SELECTED].
2006-04-16 14.12.55.438:INFO :Item "187:009380" presented
2006-04-16 14.13.23.515:INFO :Selecting response option D

This means you selected D.

You picked one answer and only one answer and hit submit.

Want to know which questions you flaked back and forth on?
If you see:

2006-04-16 14.34.99.324:INFO :Item "187:008920" presented
2006-04-16 14.35.28.230:INFO :Selecting response option A
2006-04-16 14.35.38.327:INFO :Selecting response option C
2006-04-16 14.37.54.208:INFO :Selecting response option A
2006-04-16 14.37.49.304:INFO :Selecting response option C

This means you went back and forth on options A and C.

Which question is this? Count the number of times you see "Item:" from the line "INFO :Item "QuantInstruction1" presented". The number of times you see it = the number of questions you answered. So in this case, if I saw Item: "....." 13 times before this section above, I know that question 14 had me going back and forth.

Same thing for verbal:

2006-04-16 15.29.45.218:INFO :Item "VerbalInstruction1" presented
2006-04-16 15.29.40.035:INFO :Navigate next requested
2006-04-16 15.29.40.156:INFO :Item "188:002908" eligibility from STRICT to NONE - [SELECTED].
2006-04-16 15.29.40.163:INFO :Item "188:002908" presented
2006-04-16 15.30.31.671:INFO :Selecting response option D
2006-04-16 15.30.23.634:INFO :Navigate next requested

Means I selected option D.
You are looking for the lines that say "presented" or lines that contain a set of choices. Lines that read:

2006-04-16 15.41.45.518:INFO :Item "188:000009-04" eligibility from STRICT to NONE - [SELECTED].
2006-04-16 15.41.45.528:INFO :Selection set "188:000009" eligibility from STRICT to NONE (responsible child: "188:000009-04" - [SELECTED]).
2006-04-16 15.41.55.538:INFO :Item "188:000009-01" eligibility from STRICT to NONE - [SELECTED].
2006-04-16 15.41.75.528:INFO :Item "188:000009-07" eligibility from STRICT to NONE - [SELECTED].
2006-04-16 15.41.15.518:INFO :Item "188:000009-05" eligibility from STRICT to NONE - [SELECTED].

Mean that you were presented question 188:000009 and options 01,04,07,05 were random answer choice selections. This counts as one question.

When you see something like this:

2006-04-16 15.58.26.311:INFO :Item "188:000553-01" presented
2006-04-16 16.01.32.121:INFO :Selecting response option A
2006-04-16 16.01.43.833:INFO :Selecting response option C
2006-04-16 16.01.31.254:INFO :Selecting response option E
2006-04-16 16.02.61.735:INFO :Selecting response option A
2006-04-16 16.02.14.641:INFO :Selecting response option B
2006-04-16 16.02.21.859:INFO :Selecting response option D

You know you really had a hard time picking!

How to match your incorrect questions with questions that you flaked on - a quick way to review


There is any easy way to do this. REVIEW ALL THE QUESTIONS YOU GOT WRONG IN BOTH VERBAL AND MATH.
Then close the GMAtPrep software and open up the software log.

Find:
2006-04-16 16.30.14.383:INFO :Item "EXIT" presented
2006-04-16 16.30.34.156:INFO :Navigate next requested
2006-04-16 16.30.25.452:INFO :Review screen displayed.

You are now reviewing your exam.

2006-04-16 16.30.29.235:INFO :Review incorrect items requested
2006-04-16 16.30.11.344:INFO :Item "187:003387" presented

This means that I got item 187:003387 wrong.

So now just go to the top of the file and search for 187:003387

2006-04-16 14.13.12.124:INFO :Item "187:003387" eligibility from STRICT to NONE - [SELECTED].
2006-04-16 14.13.33.367:INFO :Item "187:003387" presented
2006-04-16 14.15.45.116:INFO :Selecting response option B

This means I did not flake on this question. I selected only option B and hit next. I was wrong though.

I used Parallels (or you can use Boot Camp, which comes with Mac OS X) and XP, assuming you can get your hands on an XP disc.

I run GMAT Prep on Linux through WINE. It work's flawless.
The advantage is that WINE is not a virtual machine, so you don't need XP disk and it doesn't eat up your RAM resources.


In short - it will be more like another application on your Mac that will enable you to run some (not all) Windows programs. Cool huh?

If you don't feel sure enough about your computer skills, and don't want to go beyond drag and drop actions you should try 30-day trial of Crossover (polished commercial version of WINE) .. that one is easiest to use .http://www.codeweavers.com/products/cxmac/



If you want to master your MacBook and enjoy WINE for free you can install it easily following this steps:
Note: since WINE is free it's far from being user-friendly on Mac, you'll end up using Terminal (but that's a nice skill to have). Also for all the steps below stable internet connection is a must!



If any questions feel free to PM me.

Hope that helps.

Just as an FYI - The PowerPrep software doesn't run on Windows Vista (64-bit).

For those using Windows Vista
I just discovered that GMATPrep creates a folder and log file at following location:

C:\Users\{user_name}\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\GMATPrep\exams

{user_name} will vary from system to system. Otherwise, you can directly open your user folder from desktop and navigate to \AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\GMATPrep\exams

*Make sure you have hidden files visible

Wow, thank you, bigoyal!
I suppose this is the same on all vista systems.

For mac users, I'll get to my friends mac soon to see how to make GMATperp work on Leopard. Look out for updates.

Guys,

Is is worth taking the powerPrep GMAT tests since this was administered by ETS prior to 2006? Are the formats and question types still similar? I did take GMAT Prep and am trying to save the second one for the final week prior to my test day.

Believe me whatthehell, you can attempt GMATPrep tests multiple times, for each set. Except for essay topics, they have such a huge database of quant and verbal questions, that you may not come across repeated questions in the 2nd run.

The key is to reset your tests once done. Effectively you have atleast 4 tests (twice for each test). You can try even more number of trials, but then probably you would start getting questions repeated.

Duely noted bigoyal. Thanks!
I do plan to take those more than once, but just wanted to know if powerPrep is any good.

It is - it is second best only to GMATPrep.

There is something that I have always wondered...

If we had wanted to do the GMATPrep more than twice, why don't we download and install the software on another computer? It's only around 26 MB, right?

That would allow us to do the two practice tests without having to reset them (which is on our 'first' pc)?

I am taking my GMAT in a month's time, but my score so far on the 2 GMATPrep and the Manhattan GMAT CAT is only around 580 to 640... I don't think the questions are difficult, it's just that I am either too careless or have too little time to select the correct answers.

I am fine and confident with the 2 AWAs though.

Please, anyone has any tips for me?

Thanks alot yea.

Hi guys,
For the Mac users out there, I was able to install GMATPrep on my Macbook Pro using Crossover Mac. I'm able to run the test the flawlessly.

Yes, I also find using Crossover to be the easiest, the fastest and the most problem free way to run GMAT Prep on Mac. The only drawback is that it costs 40 USD to buy one after the trial is over.

Installing and using WINE for Mac is not that easy but it's free.

I took my practice test using prepGMAT, for got record my score, How to Check that again, IS there some way out.

Unfortunately no.

Is there a discussion thread where GMAT prep questions are discussed?

I have certain doubts in the verbal section, was curious to know if we already have a thread where the GMAT prep q's are discussed or should i be individually posting them in the verbal forum?

We do not, though it is a good idea to start one. If you have time - that would be very helpful and I am sure would warrant quite a few kudos
You can use google or forum search - that's what the most do right now.

Instead... If the moderators could regulate the posts of their respective forums to include the subject in the following format "Source Question" example "OG10 blah blah", "OG12 #47" and the best of the lot "GMATPrep blah blah" "Powerprep blah blah" "SC1000 #458" then using the search box present in each forum the user can filter to the relevant posts in a zippy.

So if my intend was to post an OG 12 SC doubt i could do a quick search of OG12 #47 or OG12 blah blah in the search box and be sure that this doubt has not been addressed already. On the same note people like me 2 days away from their GMAT can actually scan through the GMATprep doubts by running the simple search 'GMATPrep' through the search box.

What do you think? Worth some kudos..

Sure. The challenge comes in with the fact that GMAT Prep has 900 questions. It will be more efficient for you to search for keywords from that question.
However, we do have a TAG Mod coming (this coming week), so hold your breath - it will allow to tag posts and thus will simplify searching.