OG 15 diagnostic test accuracy/difficulty?

Hi guys, thanks for the detailed replies.

Ive been studying for around 2 months.

I took both of the gmat.com CATs, one for my diagnostic exactly 2 months ago, and one about 2 weeks ago. I started at 580 (41/29) and the second time I got 720 (49/39). However, in the second time, there were a lot of many that I remember from doing in the first, so this obviously affects the scoring. I wrote the IR both times, and it didnt change. I never wrote the essay part.

My score goal is around 725.

My original goal was 3 months, but I feel no reason to rush since I believe I am still improving my scores consistently.

I would like to be in Bschool in Sept 2016.

For study material, I have a set of OG 15 and MGMAT books in pdf version from a friend, but no access to any CAT exams (other than the 2 freebies from mba.com) or question banks from MGMAT or other schools. Is it enough to just use the questions online (gmatclub), and the questions from the 3 Official Guides (Verbal, Quant, OG) + quesitons in the MGMAT textbooks or should I buy something like a package questions + CAT exams pack?

Also, are there any recommended free CAT tests?

Thanks for your feedback!

@ggsurface

Based on your quant diagnostic performance, I would say you are in excellent shape and should target Q50/51. I am surprised that you got repeats on the CATs in GMATPrep. The recommended setting is take Test 1, then Test 2, don't take Test 1 twice because there will be repeats in this case. However, if you do Test 1 and then Test 2, there will not be any repeats.

As far as CATs, I wouldn't recommend any of the free CATs, but if you can spend some money get the GMATPrep Exam Pack 1 that comes with two additional official CATs.

Dabral

Hi ggurface,

I'm hoping that you can clarify some of what you wrote:

When you took your 'second' CAT, did you retake CAT1 or did you actually take the second GMAC Cat? If you saw a bunch of repeat questions, then that second score is likely 'inflated' and not a realistic assessment of your skills. As such, you really should plan to take a *new* FULL-LENGTH CAT - there are plenty of different CATs that can all be purchased at a reasonable price.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

I took your advice and I wrote MGMAT's free CAT. Im pretty pleased with my score:



I did all the sections in standard timing, and I actually went too quickly for Quant and Verbal, I had like an extra 2 minutes for quant an extra 4 or so for verbal, so I just went extra slow when I realized towards the end.

How hard is the MGMAT practice CAT?

Hi ggurface,

That's great news about this most recent CAT. Assuming that you made the overall experience 'match up' with what you'll experience on Test Day (in as many ways as was reasonably possible), then it looks like you're in position to hit your score goals on the Official GMAT.

Your next task should be to do a full question-by-question review of this CAT and note any little mistakes you made and any concepts that need further review.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich