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GMAT Club Verbal Expert
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Re: GMAT Prep Software Analysis and What If Scenarios [#permalink]
 11 Mar 2013, 00:27
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Re: GMAT Prep Software Analysis and What If Scenarios [#permalink]
11 Mar 2013, 06:43
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Re: GMAT Prep Software Analysis and What If Scenarios [#permalink]
13 Mar 2013, 16:42
Awesome work, Bunuel and Vercules! It's interesting to see that omitting the last seven quant questions is so deadly on GMATPrep, since the fine folks at GMAC insist that there isn't a huge difference between guessing and omitting questions at the end of each section. They published an official blog post on that issue a couple of years ago ( http://officialgmat.mba.com/2009/09/17/ ... g/#more-57) and there's also an accompanying research study on the GMAC website ( http://www.gmac.com/~/media/Files/gmac/ ... ssWhat.pdf). Basically, GMAC argues that there isn't really a meaningful difference between guessing and omitting the last five questions on verbal. They also argue that you're better off omitting the last five if you're doing badly on the quant section, and you're better off guessing only if you're a "high ability" test-taker on the quant section. Interesting. I guess there are a few ways to look at the differences between the GMATPrep results and the GMAC's official statements. It's possible that the GMATPrep software runs a substantially different algorithm than the actual test, but I think it's more likely that the dramatic result in Bunuel's study is the result of an extra couple of questions (omitting seven questions probably does substantially more damage than missing five) and the fact that he is clearly in the "high ability" category.  A large proportion of GMAT Club members will ultimately do well on quant, so it's best for most members to guess at the end of the quant section instead of omitting questions. But on the verbal section--or for test-takers who aren't strong at quant--maybe it doesn't really matter all that much?
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Re: GMAT Prep Software Analysis and What If Scenarios [#permalink]
14 Mar 2013, 08:20
Bunuel wrote: 6. Best Guessing Strategy: Part II - guess every third question Experiment: I will try to test a scenario in which a test takers GUESSES every other question (e.g. 2, 4, 6, etc). I was answering C to all even numbered question and guessed correctly 3 out of 18 Results: Q40, 55th percentile. (22 correct answers and 15 incorrect answers, I guessed 3 questions correctly.) Analysis: Not sure what I was expecting guessing every other question. I guess I got the 55th percentile (half the ultimate score but I also only invested half the effort and gottend double the time to answer my other questions). So far, I don' think this is the best strategy in terms of guessing since my goal would be to get the most return for the least amount of effort. However, I do think this score is too low to be seriously considered by anyone. Total Score: Every question in the verbal section was answered as "A" this time and it resulted in the final score of V6, 0 percentile. Total score: 380, 10th percentile. Bunuel and Vercules, Thank you for the hard work. I am still a little confused by this as the title doesn't match the description. Was the title intended to say "every other question"? Additionally, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I was told by a GMAT rep that the GMATPrep software uses the same number of questions as the real test. To me, the existence of experimental questions in the real test means that GMATPrep cannot be using all questions to calculate the score, so there might be an element of randomness to the analysis. Do you get the same or variable results when you replicate these tests?
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Re: GMAT Prep Software Analysis and What If Scenarios [#permalink]
14 Mar 2013, 14:12
GMATNinja wrote: Awesome work, Bunuel and Vercules! .... Basically, GMAC argues that there isn't really a meaningful difference between guessing and omitting the last five questions on verbal. They also argue that you're better off omitting the last five if you're doing badly on the quant section, and you're better off guessing only if you're a "high ability" test-taker on the quant section. Interesting. I guess there are a few ways to look at the differences between the GMATPrep results and the GMAC's official statements. It's possible that the GMATPrep software runs a substantially different algorithm than the actual test, but I think it's more likely that the dramatic result in Bunuel's study is the result of an extra couple of questions (omitting seven questions probably does substantially more damage than missing five) and the fact that he is clearly in the "high ability" category. A large proportion of GMAT Club members will ultimately do well on quant, so it's best for most members to guess at the end of the quant section instead of omitting questions. But on the verbal section--or for test-takers who aren't strong at quant--maybe it doesn't really matter all that much? I have the same question....I always seem to have around 7 questions left when taking the quant sections of MGMAT CAT's. With limited time, should I guess on the last seven instead of trying to solve 1 more correctly and leave around 6-7 blank?
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GMAT Club Verbal Expert
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Re: GMAT Prep Software Analysis and What If Scenarios [#permalink]
14 Mar 2013, 14:30
hyt wrote:
I have the same question....I always seem to have around 7 questions left when taking the quant sections of MGMAT CAT's. With limited time, should I guess on the last seven instead of trying to solve 1 more correctly and leave around 6-7 blank?
Hi hyt, Yes, you should not leave any of the last questions blank. If you face a time crunch at the end is a section then better guess all the seven question than get one or even two questions correct and rest blank. Based on the last test that I conducted on GMATPrep, the best approach would be to guess on 6 questions, mark a random option on the last question and then attempt it. If the time gets over your last question would still count as marked and if you are able determine the correct answer choice you will get it correct. Hope this helps, Vercules
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Re: GMAT Prep Software Analysis and What If Scenarios [#permalink]
31 Mar 2013, 10:15
Good Insight. But I guess we can't depend on it fully since the experimental questions can swing the balance either ways.
Good to form a general strategy though!!
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Re: GMAT Prep Software Analysis and What If Scenarios [#permalink]
01 Apr 2013, 05:52
I tried a different scenario : All CR Correct, Rest All Wrong. Result V8 1%ile.
GMAC Representative claimed that SC, CR and RC are measured independently. However even though was getting all CR correct, the CR problems were pretty easy. Hence its not true that your ability in SC will not affect the difficulty level of CR/RC questions.
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Re: GMAT Prep Software Analysis and What If Scenarios [#permalink]
14 May 2013, 01:47
Hi Vercules and Bunuel,
Great job guys..
you guys had actually dissected whole gmatprep software... really given insightful to future test-takers like us.
Vercules: I would like to know
What if we get all CR question incorrect?
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Re: GMAT Prep Software Analysis and What If Scenarios [#permalink]
14 May 2013, 03:11
For me reading once again the tests conducted by Bunuel and Vercules the scenario is pretty clear. Quant: no matter what the first 10 questions MUST be correct and guess C if you do not answer a question or at least strategically, the rest of the questions Verbal: no matter what the first 10 questions or so MUST be correct, then if you have to guess picking C (verbal counts more than quant in terms of overall score). Correct me if I'm wrong, please. regards
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Re: GMAT Prep Software Analysis and What If Scenarios
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14 May 2013, 03:11
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