Accuracy of GMAT Prep Software

Question

A very dedicated student of mine took the GMAT today. He had been studying with us and his last three GMAT Prep simulation results were 750, 770, and 760. We all expected him to score at least 700. He just emailed us the score: 650 with Q:47 and V:32. English is his second language.

This is the 3rd student we've had this month with a substantial under-performance on the real GMAT vs. GMAT Prep. Is this a fluke or are other people seeing similar trends?

amyjohn · Answer

Hi

Exactly the same problem happened with me..On both the gmat prep tests i scored 740 and 730 respectively but on gmat i scored less

MacFauz · Answer

I've taken all the free CATs out there on the internet and I do beleive the gmatprep one is the most accurate indicator. It could be a case of the person having taken the gmatprep CAT too many times and as a result getting a number of repeat questions on his last few attempts.. This can severely inflate scores..

vogelleblanc · Answer

... im currently approaching my second gmat attempt and i also had a difference of ~100 between the GMATPrep software and the real GMAT.
However, i just bought the Exam Pack 1 and took one exam. On MGMAT test i continuously scored about 42-44 and now i just scored a 49 on the Exam 3 of the Exam Pack. Did i just become a math genius over night or is anybody else facing this issue as well?

dabral · Answer

@Zosimus

The GMATPrep tests have been fairly accurate for my students over the years. However, there are reasons where one can end up with a lower score on the actual GMAT test(and higher as well). I think the following reasons come in to play:

1) The additional stress of a real test environment. That is why I recommend students to take the test in one single shot and at a place away from their home or a comfortable environment. A library is a good place, I have even had students take the test in my office to add the pressure of a new location.

2) Not completing the test and leaving some questions unanswered. There is a severe penalty for not completing the test. It is easy to get sucked in to GMAT questions and students will sometimes lose track of time.

3) Losing confidence early on because they didn't do well on the first few questions. I always reiterate to my students that even if you miss the first five questions it is not the end of world. Sometimes the first question can be really hard, I believe the difficulty level of the first question is set randomly, sometimes that can throw one off. I also wouldn't like to see a nasty question right in the beginning of the test.

4) Carrying over the experience of not doing well on one section to the other. If one doesn't do well on the quant section, sometimes students will keep thinking about that during the verbal section. Again, one has to completely ignore that and focus on the task at hand. I know it is easier said than done.

I will often repeat these points to all of my students. I think it helps them gain confidence and keep any eye out for these mistakes.

Dabral

Ajax1 · Answer

I think I can contribute something here, since I've already taken the GMAT once with a not so great score of 620. This when I was consistently scoring above 700 in the MGMAT and GMATPrep tests. However I don't think I have the software to blame for this inconsistency but myself. I think I had an attack of nerves in the quant section which completely ruined my timing and I ended up having to guess on a lot of the questions towards the end. This fact kept playing on my mind in the verbal section as well and I didn't do too well their either. So I guess I agree with the points that dabral has made above, stress or rather how you manage stress plays a very important role on the day of the test. That's one of the things I will be focusing on keenly in my retake a week from now.

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