670 Final Score, 100 Point Higer than Prac. Test 2 Days Befo

So my GMAT story is a bit unusual. I had relatively low expectations with the following practice test scores.

MGMAT CAT #1 (Dec 12th) – 570
MGMAT CAT #2 (Feb 6th) – 600
MGMAT CAT #3 (Feb 28th) – 600
GMAT Prep 1 (March 7th) – 620
MGMAT CAT #4 (March 21st) – 570 (Very saddened)
GMAT Prep 2 (March 26th) – 570 (even more disheartened)
MGMAT CAT #5 (March 28th) – 630 (Happier)
Actual GMAT Exam – (March 29th) 670 (SHOCKED!)

Most people said that my score will be very comparable to the GMAT Prep Software. I felt like my actual test had very similar questions, but the scores were completely different. I was absolutely shocked to get a score 100 points higher than my last GMAT Prep, especially with three days in between. In this posting, I strongly feel the GMAT Prep and MGMAT CAT Scores are not completely reflective of the actual test score. Basically, anything can happen and dont let yourself down.

My story:

I received a 570 on my GMAT Prep 2 exam, three days before my actual test, and I was really scared. Throughout the practice test, I thought I was doing well until I saw my final score. My timing was good, but I made some simple mistakes. However, I really dont understand why the GMAT Prep software gave me that low of a score! Unlike the MGMAT CAT Tests, I dont know if the problems I got wrong were really easy.

So trying to cram in another test to boost my feelings, I took an actual MGMAT CAT exam the day before my actual exam! Yes, I know it was unwise to study last minute and it might have drained my mind a little, but I did feel a confidence boost with my 630 score. Still, I was way off the target of a high 600 score.

So I go into test day a little more confident, and very very happy to take a 4pm test (many of my friends took an 8am, and I wasnt in the mood to be too nervous to not sleep the night before). I prepare for the test like an actual sports game. I jumped up and down in the waiting room a little, went to the bathroom and gave myself a little pep talk, and went for the test.

Anyways, the math section was very similar to GMAT Prep. Not overly difficult, but fair. I had no idea that my Quant Score would end up 74%, because I couldnt tell if a question was actually considered hard or experimental. To sum it up, I didnt think about the difficulty of each question through the test, because I didnt have time.

The 8 minute break was crucial between my two exams. Drank a bunch of Dr. Pepper (I recommend any caffeine) and went to the bathroom for another pep talk and to wash my face. Put on my IPOD and blasted some music from Arcade Fire. I got back to my seat with 15 seconds to spare before my next section, not a good idea! But worth it for me!

Verbal was mind numbing. The noise canceling headphones started feeling tighter. I started to hear my own pulse as my head was throbbing. But I actually did something that I believe worked. I took a risky 10 second break between every 4-5 questions to clear my mind. Staring at the screen that long, I highly suggest spending the 10 second to clear your mind. Also, people tend to have less timing issues on verbal, so the risk might be worth it for you. Overall, the questions were feeling harder, which may have been a good sign. I was super nervous with my last few questions.

Was pretty scared to see my score, and thought I got that 570 again. Why wouldn't I feel that way, the whole test experience seemed really similar to the GMAT Prep in terms of difficulty and timing. But to my disbelief, I got a 670, 100 points higher. 40 points higher than any practice test. 80 points higher than the average of my last three practice tests. Even better news, I had good balance. Q45 (74%) and V36 (78%).

To sum it up, dont be discouraged by low practice test scores. Test day is a whole new ball game. Get in the zone, clear your mind, and go for the gold. Anything can happen.