Frustrated with weird results

Hi, souvik101990. Let's see what we can find out together.


Judging by the six-minute gap between your posts, I think that it's important to start by taking a deep breath and trying to relax. If there is a problem, then there is a solution. The last thing that we want is to panic, because that only gives us another obstacle to deal with.


Could you elaborate on this? The way I currently understand this is that you usually don't take practice tests in their entirety. In other words, you take attempt each section (AWA, quant, verbal) separately with relatively large time gaps between them. Am I interpreting this correctly?

If this is indeed the case (and my apologies in advance if not), then I am forced to adopt a stern stance here: practice tests have absolutely no value or purpose if not taken under realistic test conditions. That means taking the full 30 minutes for AWA with the math and verbal sections with no additional break time. Anything else will present a false indication of one's level. I could probably go on (and on) about this, but let's make sure that I'm on the right track about how you take these practice tests.


Your focus seems to be on RC, though a verbal score of V31 suggests a problem with verbal overall. Let's start with the basics first: what specifically have you used for your verbal prep? Tell me everything (books, questions sources, strategies, how many times have you read the books or revisited the questions, etc.). As for RC itself, a good training program involves LSAT RC passages. Those are much longer and more complicated than GMAT passages.


The time differential does have me scratching my head on this one. Again - and without accusing you of anything - did you take the Manhattan verbal section on its own or right after the AWA and quant sections? And this wasn't a repeat test, right?


How many practice questions do you usually complete in one session? But to answer your question, I think that it's a good idea to practice with a good number of questions at a particular time to improve endurance for the test.

It seems that you experimented with a new strategy, but didn't quite have full control over it. You highlighted RC as a problem area in general, but was the RC passage mentioned above toward the very end of the test? If so, then it seems that fatigue, time pressure, and the general difficulty of the verbal section brought on a certain level of anxiety (see here). I suspect this since you recounted a hard time near the end. Have you ever faced such adversity in a practice test before?

The verbal section - especially the latter portion - is definitely a critical point in the test. Many points are lost or gained at this stage. I wouldn't feel too bad about it for now. Verbal is more difficult on the GMATPrep than Manhattan. Combined with the possible issues discussed above, a decrease of six points, while not welcome, is not catastrophic either. With that said, you're right to be on-guard. We certainly don't want a pattern to emerge.

So unless there are more concerns related to your recent GMATPrep experience, we could move on to discussing more about your verbal prep. You mention OG 13 and the Manhattan SC, but is that everything?

Your approach seems reasonable. So work on endurance and gradually build your skill level. But, as mentioned already, use LSAT RC passages too. As far as extra practice tests, Manhattan and GMATPrep should be enough. While some prefer more CAT sessions, be aware about burnout or fatigue. Too much of a good thing is still too much.

And, as a side note, did you happen to eat any snacks or drink anything between the test breaks to maintain energy levels for the practice tests? Doing so can make a difference in one's performance. See here.

Also consider the Powerscore CR Bible. You appear to feel comfortable with CR, but this guidebook is fantastic and will almost surely improve your performance. Plus, it (indirectly) helps with RC comprehension as well. And get OG Verbal if you haven't done so already.

I have the new gmatclub adaptive tests
Should I take the verbal CATs from there?
can anybody shed some light on the quality of gmatclub verbal CATs and whether they can help in my situation?

Thanks for an elaborate reply. Thanks a ton actually.
But I think you misinterpreted me. I have taken only 3 practice tests so far
2 MGMAT CATs: These were 2 months back and I did not even complete half of my preparation and results were
680 Q49V34 and 710 Q49V37
Both of these tests were taken in ideal conditions and both of these times I had time to spare in verbal.
So, I thought I should complete my courses and then have a look at where I stand.
I completed knewton course and e-gmat SC course. Finished Manhattan SC and completed OG 13 questions.
I also solved gmatclub questions regularly and had a fair bit of accuracy.
I also have the gmatprep Q pack and my accuracy is certainly above 85% there.
However the gmatprep exam that I took yesterday attacked my nerves.
In quants the problems seemed to be very difficult and I made 8 mistakes. But Q50 seemed rational.
In verbal I made a complete mess.
Because I make a lot of silly mistakes in general, I thought this time my strategy should be focus and spend more time on each question and make sure it is correct.
This approach did not work at all and I ended up guessing an entire RC passage (attempted 3Q without reading) and had a very nervous stretch for the last 5 CR/SC questions (4 of which I got wrong)

While practicing I solve OG/gmatprep Q pack, but I think my major problem is lack of concentration. I think that is why I end up scoring pretty good during practice but failing in the CATs.
Hope I made myself clear.
Any thoughts now??

Hi,

Did you Try

SC: Thursdays with Ron videos?
https://vimeo.com/user3635135/videos

CR: Powerscore CR Bible?

RC: Thursdays with Ron?
https://vimeo.com/user3635135/videos

Quant: did you try practicing from grockit.com ? you can try this site for verbal practice too!


Hope it helps!

You indicate that you have a certain accuracy percentage in the OG, but the test is computer adaptive. This means that you're comparing apples to oranges. You can get 85% of the questions right but if 15% are the hard questions, then when you're in the test situation you get to the hard questions but then miss them.

It sounds like you need to focus in on the harder questions and make sure you have strategies to get them right.

Good advice, but I think I am fairly average on hard questions. My OG accuracy on Hard questions is definitely over 75%.

last evening I slept for 3 hours after the frustrating gmatprep. After waking up, I bought the kaplan quiz bank and solved 2 quizzes.
First one was 10 SC quiz. Only hard questions. 8 correct 2 wrong.
Second one was 10 CR quiz. Only hard questions. 10 correct 0 wrong .
My problem, seemingly is to retain concentration while doing 41 questions.

did not try that... but i guess there Verbal should be good. Quant is bit though.

Also, as i was not good in Verbal so i used to find their RC bit tough. Will suggest you to take a second opinion from someone.

I am also getting strange scores. I took the free MGMAT CAT yesterday and scored 670 (Q 40, V41). I completely messed up the timing on quant and could not answer the last 7 questions. I took the older version of GMAT Prep today (2005), and got a massive 760 (Q50, V42). Granted some 3-4 questions on the verbal was from OG12. But still I found the exam way too easy. Is GMAT Prep version 1 significantly easier than version 2? It definitely was easier than manhattan.

Dude/Dudette,
Thanks for the prompt replies and analysis of my chaotic situation. YOu are completely right in assuming that the verbal RC fiasco was towards the end of the test.
As far as the prep goes, I have done quite a lot. I completed every pre assessment tests and core homeworks on knewton.
As I was practicing questions from the kaplan quiz bank and random here and there, I see a pattern. I am doing very good (accuracy levels hardly go below 90%) when I am concentrating on a particular section or solving only a couple of questions. But when CR,RC and SC come to attack me together, especially after my internal defenses took a hit to achieve Q 50, all hell breaks loose.
So I have fixed up an agenda for me for a week where I want to work on my concentration levels.
I will take Grockit CATs every other day, while maintaining ideal gmat conditions.
I know that these tests do not reflect gmat scores, but the questions are gmat like and it will provide me with an exercise to increase my concentration and brain function levels.
Do you think its a good plan?

I think they are a bit different but not THAT different. From my experience I think something went wrong in your MGMAT CAT. While your verbal scores are certainly similar, the quant score are not even close. I agree MGMAT CATs have more difficult quant questions but I think it should be atleast within 5 points difference with gmatprep 1.

I hope you are right and that GMAT Prep is a more accurate reflection of my skill level than the MGMAT CAT. I may have messed up the manhattan one as it was the first proper practice test I took. I have decided to buy the rest of the MGMAT tests and see if I improve - taking the test on Sep 2 so I think I have enough time. There is surely a heavy penalty for poor time management! lesson learnt.

I like the idea of snacking during breaks to keep energy levels up - I got REALLY agitated towards the end of the verbal section.

Hey all the best for the next CAT.
Keep us updated here!!!

Looks like we are on very similar lines.
And I agree with you completely on your gmatprep inputs.
Where are you from btw?
A like minded study partner might help me get there

msvel2304,

Thanks for Stacey's advice link. The advice for building stamina is solid - to decide what to study first and focus for an hour without any distractions.

I think I got something that I was lacking
Concepts from Ron's Classes
Finally I get to see something that I did not know.
Dont know but this might come in handy to get rid of the plateau. Will let all of you know in this thread.