How inflated is this GMAT PREP CAT Score?

Question

Hi, my test day is one week away and I just took the GMAT PREP CAT #3 for the second time. First time, I got a 630. I am saving the GMAT PREP #4 until Monday. But I am curious to know how inflated my score may be due to repeat questions. I know this is almost impossible to answer precisely, but if you can just give me a rough idea of how much better students do when they repeat exams, I would really appreciate it.

Whenever I saw a repeat question, I answered it just as I normally would (not answering right away). If I remembered the answer but could not prove it with my work, I got the answer wrong intentionally (this happened for two of the quant questions)--basically at a time I would have guessed on the real test.

I just scored a 710 (Q49,V38).

Quant- 11 repeats
Verbal- 10 repeats

Can someone please give me some insight?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi dutchmen991,

Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to answer this question in a practical way. When repeat questions show up, it's not just a matter of treating the question the same way (as you did before) or not. Overall pacing, stress levels, effort, etc. are thrown off by seeing just one repeat question. As you see more and more of them, the impact can be compounded. Also, if you've done anything else to impact your performance (re: skipping sections, pausing the CAT, doing ANYTHING that you're not allowed to do on Test Day, etc.), then your score can also become inflated.

As a basis for comparison though, how does THIS score compare to the other CATs that you took just once? If it LOOKS 'inflated' relative to your other recent scores, then it probably is.

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

dutchmen991 · Answer

Most scores have been in the 630-650 range.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi dutchmen991,

Based on what you've described, it sounds like this 710 is an 'outlier' (and likely inflated), so it's not necessarily accurate. However, it is possible that you ARE currently capable of scoring at a higher level, but you don't have the necessary data to confirm it.

You mentioned having one more *new* CAT, so you can take that and use it as a measure of your readiness for Test Day. You just have to be mindful to not take that CAT too close to Test Day. I know that it's coming up, but what exact date is your Official GMAT?

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

dutchmen991 · Answer

Friday the 22nd. I am taking my next CAT on Sunday or Monday.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi dutchmen991,

With the Friday Test Date, taking the CAT on either Sunday or Monday is fine. You should do your best to make that last CAT 'match up' with Test Day in as many ways as you can reasonably handle (take it at the same time of day as your GMAT, away from your home, test-like setting, etc.).

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

dutchmen991 · Answer

Hi Rich,

Thanks for getting back to me, I appreciate it.

I just took GMAT PREP #4. For some reason got some repeats, not as many as before (only 4-6 total).

Anyway, I just got 29/37 correct and they were not all early, but I only scored Q46. Any explanation or is this accurate? Attached is my breakdown.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi dutchmen991,

The scoring algorithm on the Official GMAT is far more complicated than most people realize. It takes into account a number of different factors, including the relative difficulty of the question, whether you were expected to get it correct or not, the placement of the question, what's going on "around it", the "strings" of correct and incorrect answers, whether the question even counts or not (some questions are "experimental" and are worth 0), if you leave questions unanswered and incur a penalty, etc. As such, you shouldn't be spending time trying to figure it all out (but the short answer is: the number of correct answer is NOT the only factor).

How did you perform in the Verbal section?

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

dutchmen991 · Answer

Thanks for the advice.

Q46 / V32. My typical Verbal is 35. Goal is 700. Test Day is Friday. It seems like if I can bring up my Verbal to what I am clearly capable of, high 600s / 700 is possible. First attempt at the test was March 17th (didn't finish the last 6 questions on both sections--test day got to me.) My timing was/is consistently good.

I am very pleased with my progress in my weak areas. SC used to consistently bring my score down. After spending considerable time studying SC, it has become my strength on the last couple tests. Recently though, I have been getting more CR questions (usually inference) wrong, despite the fact that it used to be my biggest strength (1 or 2 wrong per test). I think I am just a little rusty here and some last minute prep on CR should bring me back to where I need to be.

Verbal Breakdown (V34-->V37-->V35-->V35-->V36-->V36-->V32-->V31-->V38 (inflate)-->V32
On Quant, I have drastically improved my scores (Q35 --> Q34 --> Q43 --> Q43 --> Q43 --> Q45 --> Q41 --> Q49 (inflate) --> Q46).

Areas to emphasize with 3 days to go (8ish hours/day available):

CR Inference (all CR used to be a strength)

Geometry DS (used to be a strength) 
Algebra -- Realizing the need to factor 
Algebra -- Recognizing diff of squares in the middle of a problem
Algebra -- Exponents & Powers (know all the rules by heart, but sometimes mess up in the middle of a problem)
Algebra -- Converting words to algebraic expressions

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi dutchmen991,

You mentioned that when you took the GMAT in March you did NOT finish the last 6 questions in each section. If you did not get to them (meaning that you physically did not answer those 12 questions), then the "penalty" would have been pretty severe. It would have been better for you to blindly guess on those questions and get them all wrong then not get to them at all. So, you MUST make sure to answer every question, even if it's just a guess.

While it's okay to do some light studying in these last few days, putting in 8 hours of study per day is NOT a good idea. At that pace, you have a higher chance of 'burn out' and we don't want you going into Test Day with that 'damage.' You'd be better served doing some work and trying to rest up.

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

How inflated is this GMAT PREP CAT Score?

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