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06 Apr 2012, 12:20
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi every one,
I giving the GMAT for the first time on Monday and I've been doing some CAT exams with weird results.
Just to give you some background I studied seriously for the past 2 months by reviewing most of the Manhattan Strategy Guides, doing questions and paper based test (math & verbal) provided by a local prep institution (I'm from Argentina) and the 1000 question banks for verbal.
After feeling confortable with the after-mentioned materials and having relatively good results, last week I decided to do a CAT (GMAT Prep.) in order to see what my level was (1.5 weeks before the exam). I did it after a full morning of study and after a tough week in office and I felt that it didn't go well as I had a tough time concentrating (specially on the verbal section), had some timing issues and and encountered some really wordy quant questions that caught me off guard. After the exam was over I found out that I scored a 710 (Q46V41) what encouraged me as when I reviewed the mistakes I saw that I made some silly mistakes and in total more errors than i usually do.
After this, and after reviewing all the errors and putting in more practice with extra materials, I took two more CATS from Manhattan but got a lower score (680 in both). Although I'm still having some trouble concentrating and some timing issues and feel I'm encountering tougher question than the ones I was practicing and the ones I was presented with in the GMAT Prep software, what really concerns me is that I feel I am prepared to perform a lot better than this but I'm not achieving the level so I wanted to ask you some questions:
Sorry for the lengthy post and thanks in advance for the help
Cheers
I giving the GMAT for the first time on Monday and I've been doing some CAT exams with weird results.
Just to give you some background I studied seriously for the past 2 months by reviewing most of the Manhattan Strategy Guides, doing questions and paper based test (math & verbal) provided by a local prep institution (I'm from Argentina) and the 1000 question banks for verbal.
After feeling confortable with the after-mentioned materials and having relatively good results, last week I decided to do a CAT (GMAT Prep.) in order to see what my level was (1.5 weeks before the exam). I did it after a full morning of study and after a tough week in office and I felt that it didn't go well as I had a tough time concentrating (specially on the verbal section), had some timing issues and and encountered some really wordy quant questions that caught me off guard. After the exam was over I found out that I scored a 710 (Q46V41) what encouraged me as when I reviewed the mistakes I saw that I made some silly mistakes and in total more errors than i usually do.
After this, and after reviewing all the errors and putting in more practice with extra materials, I took two more CATS from Manhattan but got a lower score (680 in both). Although I'm still having some trouble concentrating and some timing issues and feel I'm encountering tougher question than the ones I was practicing and the ones I was presented with in the GMAT Prep software, what really concerns me is that I feel I am prepared to perform a lot better than this but I'm not achieving the level so I wanted to ask you some questions:
What could be the reasons for this results?
Do you have any tips in order to boost concentration during the exam?
What should be my focus from today to monday?
What is your general opinion on Manhattan CATS?
Sorry for the lengthy post and thanks in advance for the help
Cheers
06 Apr 2012, 17:03
Kudos
Bookmarks
htbreme
I have taken the liberty of numbering your questions for easier reference.
1. Manhattan's online tests are generally considered more challenging than the GMATPrep - especially for math. It's perfectly normal for you score to decrease in this case. It may also be sign of burnout, though, so be careful!
2. My advice would be quite basic: relax for the weekend, get good rest, bring snacks to the test center, stretch and splash cold water on your face during the breaks, and try to remain calm. See GMAT Snacks and GMAT Anxiety threads for further information.
3. I would only focus on the errors made in the latest CATs. But today is Friday and the test is Monday. So after this light review, it's probably better to take the weekend off and relax to ensure that you're mentally prepared for the test.
4. Manhattan's CATs are a good and challenging resource. Perhaps things have changed, but these were ranked (a distant) second to the GMATPrep when I took the GMAT in 2010. But nothing is better than the GMATPrep.
07 Apr 2012, 05:34
Kudos
Bookmarks
bmillan01
Thanks for the reply, tips and links bmilan01!
I noticed that Manhattan CATS are more challenging in the math section as when I review the incorrect answers from the exam the explanation given is often complex and time consuming. Never the less is good to be challenged even in test conditions.
Regarding burn out, although I've been slowing down in the last week the whole preparation process was draining. I work in management consulting and a very demanding project overlapped with my preparation, what meant really long hours at the office, 6:00 AM study sessions and back to back study weekends.
I was wondering if it's a good idea to do today or tomorrow one las CAT from GMATPrep in order to get a good feeling of where I am (I did my las CAT yesterday with the previously mentioned result) or just do banks of questiones to gain rhythm, speed and confidence and let the brain rest a little bit. Although I think CATS are great to see where you are and practice timing I don't really feel that I learn much doing them (and usually reviewing the error right after).
What do you think would be best?
Thanks again
Have a good easter weekend
I always have another chance to prove all I know
