Combine Practice Tests

Question

Good evening,

i´m new and i´d like to know whether it´s possible to combine the Practice Tests to one real GMAT exam. I can just select and start with either quant or verbal. But two weeks ago i could attend the free tests with both QUant and verbal.
(---> I´d like to see my Score after the test :D )

Thanks a lot for your help

mvictor · Answer

mate, real GMAT has AWA and IR in addition to Q and V parts.
When preparing, you need to take into account that when you get to Verbal, you are already at least 2h15m into the exam. You need to take into consideration that under pressure and after a period of intense thinking, the brain just simply refuses to work as it should.
Never rely on Q and V scores only.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Banach334,

The GMAT is a predictable, standardized Test, so you CAN train to score at a higher level. However, you have to study properly and make sure that the work that you do is realistic and test-like. To that end, you want to make sure that you're using the proper study materials and you want to make sure that you're taking your CATs in a way that mirrors what you'll face on the Official GMAT.

If you're not taking a FULL CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections) or doing anything else that won't match what you'll face on Test Day, then your score results will likely be 'off' (and that usually means higher than they normally would be).

1) How long have you been studying for the GMAT?
2) What materials have you been using?
3) What is your goal score?

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

GMATPILLBILL · Answer

Hey Banach334, Although combining practice tests may seems like a good idea, it doesn't accurately reflect the fatigue you may experience on test day. We recommend that you take a free GMAT PILL practice test here complete with detailed performance and timing analytics: https://www.gmatpill.com/gmat-practice-t ... ctice-test In terms of our scoring, many of our students report scores that are +/- 30 points from their actual GMAT test and so are a relatively good indicator of their performance. That said, no practice test can perfectly replicate the actual score algorithm, but this is quite close. https://gmatpill.com/images/practice-test-sample.jpg

Banach334 · Answer

Thanks for the answers so far. I practice a bit since November. Now i will study for 18 days full and write the test on the 10th of Jan. I scored 640 when i took the first offical test but when i tried other tests like the Manhatten Prep or Veritas i Scored between 580-620 and the last two Man Prep were 640. So i am at the "beginning" :/

I need 700 so I bought the 1500 Question set on this website, cause i thought then i could do 20 more real tests. But now i can´t do them, just single exams. I know that my score will be flawed if I don´t do all parts of the test thats why I asked...

So, do you know why it was possible 2 weeks ago on this " One Day Free Cats" Day to do them with getting a score at the end??

EDIT: I´ve just seen that i can see my "Score" if i will complete a full quant and a full verbal test.

mvictor · Answer

Banach334,

mate, I did the same mistake in my earlier preparations, and I want to tell you that Quantity < Quality. DO not rush to answer as many questions as possible. Instead, I would rather recommend mastering your fundamentals.

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi Banach334,

GMAT Prep CATs are the best indicators of your current standing. With around 2 weeks left for your test day, I would advise you to solve the official questions only.
You can get buy Exam pack1 and Question pack1 from mba.com
This will give you two additional tests and extra official questions to practice.

Also, make sure that you give the CAT including the AWA and the IR.
GMAT is like a marathon, you need to train your body and mind for the full 4 hours, else the score will not be what you desire.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Banach334,

What were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores when you scored 640? I ask because you have just 18 days remaining before your next Official Exam and we need to make sure that you're focusing on the proper subjects AND taking FULL-LENGTH CATs in a realistic fashion.

1) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
2) Do you have the flexibility to push back your Test Date if needed?

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

Banach334 · Answer

Hi Rich, 
47 Q and 31 V. I am quite bad in SC, my CR and RC skills are strong. I will apply for one BS on the 15th of Jan and the rest have deadlines around 30th of March. But i will try to apply before February. So if i fail my Exam i will have one more try but this will be tough cause i will write university exams around 15th Feb....

I think I will do as much of the Cats, Im studying Maths and Economics so I am quite strong in Quant, I just dont know how do get better a lot better in SC. The explanations seems to be sometimes a bit vague, for example if they just write "ambigious" one time, and the next time they write "this modifier cant modify sth else, because then its not logic " :/ DO you have some tips how to practice SC?

Greets, Banach

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Banach334,

With Q47/V31, you obviously have a greater opportunity to pick up points in the Verbal section, although with some small changes you could pick up some points in the Quant section as well. With a V31, you're likely missing points in all 3 Verbal categories (SC, RC and CR), so it's probably not correct to say that you're 'strong' in RC and CR. You might be 'stronger' than you are in SC, but you would still benefit by practicing Tactics in all 3 areas.

Having the option to retest if needed is good news. At this point, it's not clear what Tactics you're using when you face the Verbal section, so it might be a challenge to learn, practice and properly master a lot of new material in such a short period of time.

1) What materials have you been using during your studies?
2) What 'steps' do you go through when answering a typical SC, RC or CR prompt?

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

Banach334 · Answer

1)I have the GMAT Prep books with the 900+600 questions. the Manhattan Books and this acc with 1500 questions. I´ve just read the SC book. it is quite helpful but i have the feeling the other books are not very helpful. they are too basic. (same for the maths books). 2) SC: step by step: first mistake eg Plural, skil 2 answers, next mistake and so on. most times there are 2 answer options left and they are the "taff" one. just slight differences and always another trick :/ 3) RC: i read the first question without answers, read the whole text, then answer the questions. usually i am really not that bad, for example i got 9,0 /9,0 in Reading Ielts, but ielts is easy :D I´ve read about this scratch paper for RC in Manh but i dont like this and i wont change my strategy now... if i lose points its because i dont know the words and therefore not a sentence... 4) CR: thats my "best" part compared to the others. although sometimes i have just other logics and therefore fail an answer. Dont know how to get better here. the Manh Prep is no help with their analysis whether this is a thesis, background fact etc. I know these things but if i dont understand important words.... so again a little bit the vocab, which i cant change in 14 days dramatically. So i think my plan: I will do another Real Prep tomorrow. with all inclusive. the Programm tells me i have still 90 questions so i will do a third one in a week and use my first questions. DO you know how to use my time effectively and do you have special tips for Verbal part in my situation? and thanks a lot for being so kindful and trying to help me on friday night

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Banach334,

Test Takers who use a 'book heavy' study approach tend to get stuck at a particular scoring level, so using book-based resources as your primary 'interface' might not be enough to help you achieve your goals.

Your Tactics for dealing with the Verbal section seem a bit hit-and-miss, and they don't seem to have properly trained you to deal with vocabulary that you don't necessarily understand. Certain prompts on the GMAT are 'dense' on purpose (to see if you can determine the context/purpose of vocabulary that is difficult to understand), but they can still be dealt with in a strategic way. This is all meant to say that you might benefit by investing in some new Verbal resources that will give you practice material to work with AND will teach you all of the Tactics that you don't current utilize.

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

Banach334 · Answer

Hi Rich,

thanks for the advise. Can you recommend any good source for this verbal training material??

Banach

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Banach334,

With just 2 weeks of study time, you'll have to make some significant adjustments to how you handle the Verbal section (which means that you'll have to actively learn/practice some new Tactics). Given your needs and timeframe, I think that you'll find the EMPOWERgmat Verbal Score Booster to be quite helpful. Most of our clients finish that Study Plan in under a month, but even if you can't complete the full Study Plan, you'd likely benefit by working through the SC and RC Modules.

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

Banach334 · Answer

Hey,

thanks a lot i will check this tomorrow. I´ve just done one real GMAT Prep exam. My score is 710 and i am really happy right now :D Q49 and V37, IR 7. But Verbal and IR are bit flawed. there were two questions from GMAT Club Tests... I really have to focus on verbal right now. What do you think about Q. should i continue to learn for it or focus on Verbal only?

I will post my AWA, maybe someone can give a rough score for it?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Situation: The following appeared in a magazine article on trends and lifestyles.

"In general, people are not as concerned as they were a decade ago about regulating their intake of red meat and fatty cheeses. Walk into the Heart's Delight, a store that started selling organic fruits and vegetables and whole-grain flours in the 1960's, and you will also find a wide selection of cheeses made with high butterfat content. Next door, the owners of the Good Earth Cafe, an old vegetarian restaurant, are still making a modest living, but the owners of the new House of Beef across the street are millionaires."

The argument claims that nowadays people are less aware of the extend of red meat and fatty cheeses they eat than people were ten years ago. This trend seems to be supported by the fact that shop owners of healthy food are less wealthy and offer also high butterfat content cheese, whereas owners of the restaurant House of Beef are affluent people. Stated in this way, the argument fails to mention several key factors, on the basis of which it could be evaluated. The conclusion relies on assumptions, for which there is no clear evidence. Therefore the argument is rather weak, unconvincing and has several flaws.

First, the argument assumes that a shop which first selled healthy food in the 1960´s also offers cheese these days. This piece of evidence is not substantiated in any way. It is not said that each person is consuming more fatty cheese just because one shop varies his supplies. For example, a growth in population could necessity more supply of food in shops and supermarkets today. Furthermore, this fact indicates that consumers seem to buy a greater diversity of food in an organic shop. This can be taken as credit, that people try to focus on biological and organic food, which is considered healthier food than industrial made cheese. Therefore the argument would have been much clearer if if explicitily gave examples of how many kilograms of fatty cheese an average consumers buy nowadays compared to one decade ago. The sortiment of one single shop is not convincing to prove the change of a lifestyle or a new trend.

Second, the argument compares the wealth of the owners of an vegetarian restaurant and the owners of a new House of Beef restaurant, who are modest living people and millionaires, respectively. Admittedly, it could be possible that people would not open a new beef restaurant if they think there is no demand. But this is not for granted, because millionaires are obviously not dependent on the success of this business. Therefore they are maybe just interested and fascinated in owning this type of store. However, the argument fails because it does not provide evidence whether the owners of the different shops are wealthy or not because of their restaurants or different, independent financial activities. The author would strengthen his argument dramatically, if he gives information about the success of the business themselves, not about the owners in genereal. Additionally, some statistics about the number of consumers in each restaurant would strenthen the argument.

In conclusion, the arguemnt is flawed for the above-mentioned reasons and is therefore unconvincing. It could be considerably strenghtend if the author clearly mentionend all relevant facts, which are supported with empirical data. In order to assess the merits of a certain trend, is is essential to have full knowledge of all contributing factors. In this particular case, the information given are not sufficient to prove the author initally claim that people are not regulating their intake of red meat and fatty cheeses as they did a decade ago. Without this information, the argument remains unsubstantiated and open to debate.

BW, Banach

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Banach334,

A 710 is a fantastic performance. Assuming that you took this CAT in a realistic fashion, then you're in a great position to perform at a high level on Test Day. With a Q49/V37, you don't have any big 'weak' spots, so you'll have to nit-pick this performance a bit and define WHY you were getting questions wrong. How many were due to little mistakes, how many were due to 'missing knowledge' on your part and how many were just too hard? When you can define the most frequent issues, then you'll have something that you can focus on.

As to your Essay, you'll likely get a bigger response if you post it in the AWA Forum:

analytical-writing-assessment-awa-144/

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

Banach334 · Answer

Hi Rich, first of all thanks a lot for the tipps-that´s my plan for this day

In general, I think Q49 is pretty good but V37 seems quite bad? If i can improve my Verbal score for 6 Points I´ll get 750 :lol:

Ah And thanks for the AWA tip... BW, Banach

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Banach334,

A 710/Q49/V37 is an outstanding performance - each of those numbers represents a performance that most Test Takers will never achieve in their lives. While you're clearing aiming at a higher score overall, referring to any of those numbers as "quite bad" makes you sound silly.

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

Banach334 · Answer

Hello Rich, ok, thanks i dont want to sound silly or arrogant.... So i will focus on Verbal. Thanks for the help in the recent days

Best wishes, Banach

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Banach334,

Most (if not all) of the questions that you got wrong on this CAT have likely already been discussed in the Forums here, so you should take advantage of those posts and research any prompt that you'd like to review. The extra perspective and advice should help you to hone your skills in these last couple of weeks. You should also post any questions that you'd like some perspective on - the Experts and other Users will likely provide various points-of-view that you might not have considered when you first attempted those questions.

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

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