GMAT Focus Score Range Accuracy?

Question

I have taken all but two CATs in the GMATPrep Exam Packs and usually score between 41-44 on those. In my two attempts at the GMAT Focus tests my score range has been 46-51 and 45-49. My question is, in the experience/opinion among GMAT takers, how accurate a predictor of test performance is the GMAT Focus scaled score range?

AjiteshArun · Answer

I haven't taken the Focus tests recently, but here's what I remember: (a) a lot (or all) repeat questions (from OGs), (b) a really wide score range (47-51), and (c) expensive for the number of questions provided. Maybe someone can confirm whether the question pool has been updated, but I'd recommend that you consider the GMATPrep scores as being far better indicators of your quant score.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi cananalyst,

Score 'ranges' (especially at higher levels) can be rather vague - the advice that I would offer to someone scoring Q46 would differ significantly from the advice I would offer to someone scoring Q50. This is meant to say that if you want an accurate assessment of your GMAT skills, then you should take a new, FULL-LENGTH CAT and do so in a realistic fashion (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, take it away from your home, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, etc.). While the 6 Official GMAC CATs are best, any of the CATs from Kaplan, MGMAT or Veritas are 'close enough' to the real thing to provide a realistic assessment (assuming that you take the CAT in the proper fashion).

Before I can offer you any additional advice, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What study materials have you used?
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

IanStewart · Answer

GMATFocus uses real GMAT questions and the real algorithm, so the scoring is 'accurate', and will be more accurate than any company test. As Ajitesh points out above, some of the Focus questions have been published elsewhere (unless they revised the question bank recently), so if you knew some questions in advance, then your score might be inflated. One issue with the Focus tests is that they're shorter than the real GMAT, which is why they give score ranges. The margin of error on any score the Focus tests produce is too large for them to honestly report a pinpoint score, because the tests are a bit too short. Don't always take the midpoint of the score range as your score; you could very well be at the top of the range, or at the bottom, depending, and you should combine the information from a Focus test with your scores on other official tests to get a better idea of your level.

If you've done some study since taking the GMATPrep tests, and didn't recognize any Focus questions, it seems like you've improved to at least a Q46 level. If you did know some questions, that might not be the case though.

If you've done some study since taking the GMATPrep tests, and didn't recognize any Focus questions, it seems like you've improved to at least a Q46 level. If you did know some questions, that might not be the case though.

cananalyst · Answer

Thanks Rich, I have done both realistic settings and home settings where I only practiced one session. With regard to your questions:
Studies:
1) How long have you studied?  5 months 
2) What study materials have you used?  Target Test Prep, OG Guide, Manhattan SC Guide, Kaplan 800, GMATPrep, GMATFocus 
3) How have you scored on each of your CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for each)?
 45/44, 42/38, 32/41, 40/42, 35/41, 38/44

Goals:
4) What is your goal score?
 Dream Score: 44/44 Happy with anything above 700 though 
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
 Well, later this week but still time to re-take before Round 1 apps 
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
 Round 1 (Sept 14-Oct. 4) 
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
 Top Tier: Yale, CBS Second Tier: NYU & Darden Third Tier: McDonough, McCombs, Owen

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi cananalyst,

If you're taking the GMAT sometime in the next few days, then you really shouldn't try to do too much additional studying before then. A bit of light study and/or review would be fine, but NO 'cramming' (and you should not plan to take any more practice CATs). You would be better served by getting some extra rest and going into Test Day calm and ready to work. It could be that you'll be all set after your Exam, but you should plan to post back here with the results regardless.

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

AtlanticGMAT · Answer

Hi Cananalyst,

Good question! There's a lot of mystery surrounding the GMAT Focus quizzes. I find the score ranges accurate. As Ian pointed out, GMAT Focus uses the official scoring algorithm. Question overlap with the official guide used to be a problem. A great majority of the overlap has been eliminated. So for people using a relatively recent version of the guides (2017+) you should see very few if any repeats (if using older guides you could just avoid the repeats. There's a thread somewhere pointing them out). GF is expensive on a question per $ basis but in my mind the GMAT Focus quizzes are worth it. They have a whole host of tough questions and keep you honest on the timing side of things. They're great for the last couple of weeks of preparation or for a re-take. Shoot over any follow up questions!

Happy Studies,

A.

cananalyst · Answer

Thanks everyone for your insight, here's how the real deal went today:

680 (42Q/41V)  ......7 IR for those interested.

----Quant felt like quant. I didn't see any concepts I felt blindsided by, I may have over-invested in a few but only toward the end where I felt like I had banked some time. I budgeted four outright guesses and used them.

----For Verbal I started getting a little fatigued and may have fallen into relying on my ear for SC and maybe rushed a little on some CR questions. Finished with ample time.

----I chose to tackle the test in the QUANT>VERBAL>IR>AWA order.

I didn't cancel my score and was fine "banking" a 680 for now but would like to give it a few weeks and try again. I can't absorb anymore math concepts. I have finished the Target Test Prep curriculum and feel like I have a strong enough understanding of the math concepts I need to change the way I am approaching the quant questions more broadly.  Any advice on the best way to spend the next few weeks would be greatly appreciated!

AjiteshArun · Answer

680 is a very good score, and you should keep it. I'm also very impressed by the fact that you got a 41 on verbal even though you felt tired. Make sure that you're well rested for the next attempt, because you shouldn't normally be tired if you're not going with the traditional order.

You might need to continue working on your quant concepts though. I don't know enough about you to rule out any other reasons for your 42, but a 42 on quant usually means that the test taker is not truly comfortable with the concepts being tested. Go ahead and make those changes in approach that you mentioned, but I think it will be good if you keep working on the basics as well.

	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

GMAT Focus Score Range Accuracy?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards