Advice for a Mock Test Addict

Question

Hi All, I've got about 1 week remaining until my test date. I started studying with the MGMAT course/books in mid-July and wrapped up the lessons in Early September before taking a lengthy 1-2 weeks off for vacation. I've been grinding for anywhere from 2-8 hours daily since I've been back and I feel like I've improved a lot, but my last two mocks taken today and yesterday evening have thrown off my confidence. I'm not sure whether its just nerves or the content, but I'm going to stop taking Mocks for now (maybe just one more this week

) and complete the rest of my OG problems in a controlled environment. My mocks so far to date are below: MGMAT 1 7/16/2023 640 42 35 MGMAT 2 8/6/2023 590 39 32 MGMAT 3 8/20/2023 680 46 36 MGMAT 4 9/20/2023 690 41 42 MGMAT 5 9/26/2023 690 44 39 MGMAT 6 9/29/2023 650 44 35 GMAC Official Mock 1 9/17/2023 710 46 42 GMAC Official Mock 5 9/25/2023 720 47 42 GMAC Official Mock 6 9/30/2023 640 44 34 I noticed on my best results (MGMAT 3,4,5 and GMAC 1&5), I completed each section with 5-10 minutes to spare and felt confident despite some silly mistakes that might've benefited from the extra time. I don't particularly care about my MGMAT 6 since the verbal questions I got wrong have arguments on the GMAT Club boards, but I feel really bad after GMAC 6. Interestingly I got only 7 verbal wrong and 10 quant wrong on GMAC 6, but I got the exact same # of questions wrong on GMAC 1 & 5. In addition, of my incorrect Verbal As on GMAC 6, I only got one of the first 10 questions incorrect and proceeded to get 19-20 correct in a row before whiffing 2 RC Qs each in some back-to-back sections at the end (thanks algo). I feel my time management skills were off on the latest two tests as well - I spent 3-5 mins on questions I inevitably got wrong and wasn't marking reading sections off in my notes like I typically do. At this point, its too late to change strategies for questions, but not too late to refresh concepts and grind problems so I will be focusing on those, but I am discouraged by GMAC 6. I've read online that #6 has a very shallow pool of questions that is unforgiving for wrong answers and the bulk of my mistakes in my mocks are questions where I either go too fast or too slow so the difference between an easy and hard question is moot for me with regards to mistakes. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Consider taking a gap of a day or two before taking another fresh Official-Mock. If you usually have "5-10 minutes to spare" after completing a verbal section, perhaps using question/time markers during the section may allow you to  use  those minutes better. All the best with your exam.

How to get a V40 or higher on the GMAT? What about a V51?

Archit3110 · Answer

Review your mocks and don't rush by giving mocks every alternate day...
If required enroll GC pro tests they are good as well

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

FYI - GMAC test 6 has generally easy and medium level questions which is why many people report surprisingly lower scores despite similar performance on this test. This is unique to test six. I wouldn’t take it close to your heart and ignore this result.

The other paid GMAT prep test are also somewhat perfect because they have a very shallow database of questions. Every single person gets the exact same questions but in a different order…. Hard to make an adaptive test when your database of questions is 31 for quant and 36 for verbal.

Could recommend that you not change any of your strategies and not change any of your plans and follow the exact same plan you’ve had for the last few tests. Those were good scores. Changing plans now will be very dangerous and really really really not recommended. On the test day, you want to do everything exactly how you have been doing on your practice tests. You follow your timing plan and you don’t try to chase a question or do something unusual, you don’t get a different coffee in the morning, you don’t run an extra mile, you don’t wear new clothes, you do everything as boring as you can to get an exciting score.

Posted from my mobile device

GMATCoachBen · Answer

I agree that #6 can be unforgiving; 7 verbal errors usually does translate to higher than a 34. Don't let that one score hurt your confidence, you have a great track record, and I know you're well prepared to score 700+!

I've seen several students score an average of 50 points higher on official tests than on MGMAT, so your 690's are excellent, along with your 710 and 720 on official mocks 1 and 5!

Good plan for this week. Have a great week of final prep, rest well, and have an awesome exam! Remember to use any nerves to your advantage -- think of it as "excitement", with your body putting you into a peak state for focus, precision, and high performance.  (great blog post here that cites a couple great studies about this mindset)

ShakthiSep25 · Answer

Hey! Don't panic because of just one bad mock. Could there be day specific reason why that mock did not go well - you were tired, or sick or just had lesser focus. I see both your quant and verbal score has dropped so there could be general reason than just lack of conceptual clarity.

Sometimes, closer to the actual test date, we tend to focus too much on the outcome which affects the performance. Just relax and and just try to meet your process metrics like keeping time, following your solving strategy.

1. Take only official mocks closer to the actual test.
2. You must be able to bump up your Quant score from by a couple of points at least with some targetted pratice
3. Do a thorough error analysis of verbal and see if you actually lack conceptual clarity in any section. Focus on that. Practice only official verbal questions 
4. Please do not spend more than 3 mins on any question ever - it mostly does not end well (except when you are way too ahead on the test)
5. Retake already taken official mocks for a boost in confidence a day or two before the actual test

Try meditating, may be, if that's your thing. Clearing your mind does help.

All the best for your test!

Posted from my mobile device

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi prospectiveMBA5,

I believe you already spoke to the team about this, but I agree you can look at the final GMAC practice exam as a fluke. So, honestly, try not to lose sleep over that score, and just continue to get your head right for test day.

prospectiveMBA5 · Answer

Thanks everyone for the advice! I've been practicing fundamentals, reviewing my error log, and wrapping up some "easy" level questions from the OG as final prep. 2 days out, I took GMAC Prep #2 and scored a 730! No more practice tests for me, just going to review my errors on this final mock and finish up some review on old mistakes.

bb · Answer

Relax and take it easy before the test.

Make sure you have your timing done right on the test and you don’t spend the time you don’t have 🤞

Posted from my mobile device

prospectiveMBA5 · Answer

Thanks everyone for all the advice! After GMAT Club Googling every wrong answer from my Manhattan Mocks, OG, and GMATPrep throughout prep, I got a 750 today...20 points higher than my best Mock! 750 49Q44V.

I had few to 0 combinatorics (my weakness) and few to 0 mixture problems (best strength), but even then I felt Math was really easy. My last 4Q questions were such a joke, I thought I was in the 30s...

I'd like to bring my score up to 760-780, but not sure if this result was a fluke considering my best practice was a 730. Gonna get my ESR, etc. now to see what I messed up.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Gratz on the 750. If you share the ESR here (after wiping any personal info), people may provide some specific suggestions. A Q49 V44 can potentially get a 760 as well (https://gmatclub.com/forum/the-masochis ... 88307.html) so you're very close. -contact: gmatknight site | gmatclub dm

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Advice for a Mock Test Addict

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards