Disparity Between Veritas CATs and GMAT Prep

Question

Hi All,

I started studying for the GMAT around the second week of January, and basically had to start from scratch as I didn't remember any of the math concepts whatsoever. As a result I waited a bit before taking a practice test. I've been solely studying quant (though I do review my verbal wrong answers on the CATs). I do 1-3 hours a weeknight and then heavier on the weekends. I've gone through all of the math videos and questions on Magoosh and am currently working through the OG as well as flashcards I've made for myself.

These were all full tests.

Test 1 GMAT Prep - 2/5: 620 (36Q / 39V / IR 3)
Test 2 Veritas - 2/18: 700 (44Q 63%/43V 96%/IR 4)
Test 3 Veritas - 2/25: 640 (41Q 73%/37V 81%/IR 5)
Test 4 Veritas - 2/28: 700 (44Q 63%/42V 96%/IR 5)
Test 5 Veritas - 3/2: 740 (43Q 61%/50V 99%/IR 5)
Test 6 Veritas - 3/7: 700 (43Q 61%/44V 97%/IR 5)
Test 7 Veritas - 3/15: 700 (44Q 63%/42V 96%/IR 5)
Test 8 GMAT Prep - 3/19: 610 (32Q / 41V / IR 8)

I thought I was scoring very consistently around 700 based on my tests, but then my latest one (610!) is making me think all of my Veritas scores are inflated (especially since both of my low scores were from the official GMAT Prep). Any thoughts about what is going on?

Additionally, I have my test scheduled for 3/28 so it's too late to change that, but if I don't do well I'm thinking of getting a tutor. Don't know if anyone has suggestions around that as well?

Thanks!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Setreal,

I agree that the score disparity is something of a concern. Before we get into all the possible explanations, I have a question about what you stated about your upcoming Test Date.

You mentioned how it's "too late to change" your Test Date on 3/28. Why do you think it's "too late?" You can pay a $50 fee and reschedule your Exam (as long as you do so at least 7 FULL DAYS before your current Test Date). If you're concerned about the accuracy of your scores, then a bit of extra study time might help you to solve this problem.

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

KarishmaB · Answer

This is certainly surprising since our students report that our tests have very accurate Quant scores, but there is a big difference between your Veritas quant score and GMAT prep quant score. Some amount of the difference can probably be attributed to psychological factors since after taking so many of our tests you must have got very comfortable with the idea of "a Veritas test" and then, when faced with "a GMAT Prep test", probably you got a little nervous. But the factors will remain the same in the actual GMAT too. You must dig deeper into your GMAT Prep test and see where you made mistakes. If the errors are conceptual, then you must revisit those concepts. If the mistakes were "silly", you should try to be more careful next time. Back up to verify that what you have found is what was asked etc. This is especially useful if timing is not a constraint for you. If you are going to take the test on 28th, I would suggest you to not take another practice test in the next week. Review, revise and give it your best!

Setreal · Answer

Thanks for the replies. For some reason I was under the impression that once I was in the 2 week window for the test it couldn't be rescheduled - I'm definitely going to move the date later.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Setreal,

Have you set a new Test Date yet? How much more study time are you planning for?

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

Setreal · Answer

Hi All,

I took my official GMAT today and unfortunately things did not go well:

640 (Q36 36th / V 41 94th / IR 7) - obviously have to wait for the essay score, but I have a good feeling about it.

Any thoughts on next steps and when I should plan to retake? I know the earliest is in 31 days but I'll actually be away the week of May 16th so I won't be able to take it then.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Setreal,

First off, a 640 is a good score (it's just shy of the 80th percentile overall), so this might be enough to get you into Business School. It's understandable why you want to retest though, since the Q36 is not going to impress anyone (and might hurt your application at certain Programs).

Since you've studied a certain way for several months and have not been able to make a huge 'breakthrough' in your Quant performance, some type of significant adjustment is going to be required. Before we talk about that though, I'd like to know a bit more about how you handled the Quant section on Test Day:

1) Did you use the two 8-minute breaks on Test Day? If so, then what did you do during that first break?
2) Did you have to rush to finish the Quant section? If so, then how many questions did you have to guess on?
3) How comfortable are you with doing basic math by hand? Are there any formulas that you don't know (or are not comfortable with)?

Everything about the GMAT is predictable and standardized, so you CAN train to score at a higher level in the Quant section. We just need to get you thinking about that section of the Test in a different way.

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

Setreal · Answer

1) I used the second break to go to the bathroom and get water.
2) No - I didn't have to rush for any of the sections. In fact, I felt like the test as a whole went very well until I got my score.
3) Very comfortable at this point. When I started in January I didn't know anything basically, but that's no longer the case.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Setreal,

I have a few follow-up questions:

1) What time was your gmat?
2) Did you use the first break at all (based on your prior answers, it sounds like you skipped it entirely)?
3) How far is the Test Center from your home?

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

Setreal · Answer

1) 8:00 am
2) I did skip it, but I didn't feel like I had any fatigue issues during the test.
3) 15 minutes

KarishmaB · Answer

Sorry to know your Quant section did not go well. The good news is that everything else seems to be on track. 
Any particular reason you want to take the test at the earliest possible time? Improving your score take could take time and patience. First round deadlines will be in Oct so you have plenty of time to take the test anytime till July. I would suggest you to jot down everything you remember about the Quant section of your test - type of questions you found tough, sections in which you took too much time etc. Then take a few days off.

Thereafter, start with the sections in which you face maximum problems. Either look for a tutor, a Quant specific course or an expert among your relatives/friends to help you out with advanced concepts. Review and practice all other sections regularly too.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Setreal,

After re-reading all of your posts, your big 'problem' with the Quant section (and a few other minor areas) is in how you "see" (and respond to) the Test. You've got the necessary intelligence to score at a higher level, but you're treating the Quant section as if it were a "math test" and missing out on a lot of the strategic options (and the points that come with them).

Thankfully all of this can be improved on, but you have to be willing to change your "default" points of view. With a Q36, you're likely doing pretty well on the straight-forward "math" questions, but you're missing out on a lot of DS points and you're making some silly mistakes throughout the section. You could very easily retest in a month of so (and score higher), but you've got to get in some specific practice. The EMPOWERgmat Quant Score Booster would likely help you immensely. You can sample the entire Course for free right now before you enroll. And if you have any questions, then you can feel free to contact me directly.

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

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