Does GMAT Consider performance in "individual sections of the Verbal?

Question

Hey everyone,

I just wrapped up a mock GMAT and I'm a bit puzzled. I nailed a relatively higher percentage of verbal questions compared to my last attempt, but my aggregate verbal score was only 36. My last test score was 39, and I had both a lower percentage of correct answers and fewer consecutive correct answers then.

Here's a breakdown:

This Attempt:
 http://prnt.sc/9VexK6pOOej2

Previous Attempt:
 http://prnt.sc/JTajj-iZfNVu

Here's the kicker: my Critical Reasoning (CR) performance was notably worse compared to other areas, despite the overall better performance. So, I'm wondering, does GMAT also weigh how you perform in each individual area like CR? Or is it just about your overall performance in the verbal section? Would love to get some insights if anyone has any.

The only other thing that I feel could be a factor is, my wrong answers were stacked up more towards the end on this attempt, than on the last one.

Now, I know the algorithm is a closely guarded secret, but would love to hear comments based on the experience of others and especially what the experts think.

Thanks

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Consider checking out some of the V36 and/or V39 publicly shared ESRs to see the different types of performances that may get those scores.

-contact: gmatknight site | gmatclub dm

KarishmaB · Answer

The difference in your scores could be explained by something as simple as - you got 2 easy questions wrong. The subsequent questions fell to a lower level and you did not have enough questions remaining to go back up. 
There are various parameters attached to every GMAT question so what the algorithm does depends not just on whether you got it right or wrong but on what the relevant parameters for the question were. If you answer a hard question incorrectly, the algorithm may not bother much. Eh, so what, let's give another similar question. If you answer an easy question incorrectly (say most people who score 600 get it right), it could get all riled up. Wait a minute, do this one. You got this wrong too, let's drop you a level. The exact eccentricities, only GMAC knows so we do our best on every question. We do not spend an inordinate amount of time on any since it could be a really tough one or worse, experimental, and getting it right may not be the most important thing, but it is important to leave enough time for any easy questions that might appear later. You don't have to perform well on each question type but assuming that there would be some simple and some hard questions of each type, a very low performance on any one is usually bad news.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi TargetMBA007,

The GMAT is a question-adaptive test, so for each sectional score:

1.  The algorithm comes up with a score that best explains the pattern of responses in the entire section.

2.  It then adjusts that score in case the test as a whole was more or less difficult than expected.

In other words, the GMAT looks at (for example) the verbal section as a whole. It doesn't really care about your performance in any specific area or question type. This is also why the individual sub-section (SC/CR/RC) scores included in the ESR can be misleading.

TargetMBA007 · Answer

Thanks Ajitesh, appreciate that.

TargetMBA007 · Answer

Thanks Karishma, that is very insightful.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi TargetMBA007,.

Since you have some questions about GMAT scoring, here is a great article you can check out:

How Is the GMAT Exam Scored?

Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Does GMAT Consider performance in "individual sections of the Verbal?

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