High V&Q score but low total score

Question

Hi

I want to understand if there is a possibility of error in score calculation. I have read posts on this forum and other websites about the components that influence the total score but I am aware that the actual algorithm remains a secret. However, I would really like to understand how this actual GMAT score is possible: Q50/ V40/ Total:680

I have seen multiple instances of Q50/V40 scoring 730-750 on this forum and have seen an actual GMAT official score report of Q50/ V34 and 700.

I know how the sub-scores combine to make the total score is unknown and that same sub-scores can map to different total scores. However, I thought the difference is limited to +- 10/ 20 points. With same sub-scores, is it possible to get such a  significant  difference (50-70 points)? More importantly, how can such a lower V (40 vs 34) and same Q (50) produce a  higher  score (700vs 680)?

This has been driving me crazy - would really appreciate help. Should I contact GMAC about this?

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Q50/ V40/ Total:680

Yup, you may want to reach out to GMAC about this to at least confirm what's going on.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi FitzS,

Just to confirm: are you stating that you took the Official GMAT and received a Q50/V40 with an Overall Score of 680? If that's the case, then you do you have either an Unofficial Score listing or an ESR that proves these were your actual results? I ask because a Q50/V40 would be notably higher than a 680 (likely a 730 or 740, depending on the 'rounding' of the actual Scaled Scores).

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

FitzS · Answer

Yes, this is what happened. I am new to GMAT and this was my first time taking the test. I cancelled my score because 680 was way below what I had expected. But since then I have seen multiple sub-score and total score combinations and I think something is weird. Even at the time, I felt that 680 is too low but again I didn't question anything in the '2 min' we get and simply thought okay, this is how it's calculated. Are GMAC people even responsive about such things?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi FitzS,

If you cancelled this result at the end of taking the GMAT, then we don't have an active document that confirms that you actually received a Q50/V40 with an overall Score of 680. I know you genuinely believe that that is the set of results that appeared on the screen, but since that's an auto-generated result, it's incredibly unlikely that there was any type of human error or interference. Without any documentation, I have to assume that you have mis-remembered at least one of these numbers (for example, if you actually received a Q50/V34, then that could have led to a 680).

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

FitzS · Answer

I completely understand. I am 100% sure that I didn't misread the numbers but I know its hard to prove without documentation. So I am planning on re-instating my score. I just want to know what I should do if this actually turns out to be correct.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi  FitzS ,

You could just order the ESR for this attempt instead of reinstating your score. That is, ESRs are available for "C" attempts.

RetaketheGMAT · Answer

680 is 81st percentile overall
Q50 is 87th percentile for quant
V40 is 90th percentile for verbal

Q50 V40 should combine to 740-ish combined score. 97th percentile overall (see bigger than individual percentiles)

The combined percentile is always higher than the average of the two individual (Q and V percentiles) because strength in both areas is unusual. So there's only two possibilities:

1) Read it wrong (more likely)
2) Calculation error (possible but rare)

If you're 100% sure you didn't misread it -- then reinstate it and get them to fix it -- it will be a great score.

vv65 · Answer

FitzS, 
680-Q50-V40 does not seem feasible at all. You must have misread something (perhaps because the 680 was a shock?)

Please order the ESR to double check what the scores were.
 
In case you didn't misread, and these turn out to be your actual scores, then share the ESR here. That ESR will need to be studied in detail.

Posted from my mobile device

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

HI FitzS,

Do you have any updates? Did you either reinstate your score or purchase the ESR?

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High V&Q score but low total score

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