How is the current scoring for the economist gmat practice test?

Question

sorry, idk why i posted this in the quant section haha, i deleted that post. it's more appropriate in the general section Hello all, i couldn't find a recent post about the scoring of the economist gmat. i just finished with it and got a 510

whether or not that is indicative of my real ability for the GMAT, i am very upset with myself. i took my first practice CAT on saturday with kaplan, scored 560. i was able to manage my time better on my second practice test with the economist kaplan- quant 58percentile ( 17 incorrect) - verbal 22percentil ( 22 incorrect) economist- quant 37percentile (10 incorrect) - verbal 46percentile (12 incorrect) the economist quant section seemed a lot easier to me than the kaplan one (as you can see from the amount i got incorrect). i know these tests are adaptive, but comon! a score of 510 compared to a 560? i almost got twice as many incorrect in my kaplan than i did in the economist. i know i still have a lot to work on and im not going to let this 510 get to me, whether it is accurate or not. but i would like to hear if there is a certain explanation for this discrepancy... Thank you!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi btan219,

These two practice scores are not as far apart as they might appear. GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +-30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how practice CATs function, these two scores point to a general ability in the low 500s.

As far as "data" is concerned, the percentiles and number of correct answers are both dubious pieces of information. A percentile is just a measure of "where you are in line" compared with the other people who took that Test. The scoring algorithm on the Official GMAT is far more complex than most people realize and the calculation involves a number of different factors, including which questions you got correct and incorrect, the relative difficulty of the question, whether you were expected to get it correct or not, whether it even counted or not (some questions are 'experimental' and are worth 0), the 'strings' of answers, if you ran out of time and left questions unanswered, etc.

The 'accuracy' of a CAT score is also based on how realistic YOU choose to make the CAT. If you skip sections, pause the Test, take it at home, take it at a different time of day as your Official GMAT, do anything else that is unrealistic, etc., then your score is likely to be less accurate.

1) What is your goal score?
2) When are you planning to take the GMAT?

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

btan219 · Answer

taking it on april 11. been studying consistently for 3months. i know a lot of concepts and equations, but once i take the tests i cant seem to apply it, so all my studying has been pretty much useless. practice questions on mgmat are easy for me, but once i do real quetsions during cats i just don't know what to do. ive been in gmatclub forum for at least a month now, everyones been super helpful and the resources have been great and ive learned a lot (at least i thought i did, but my scores arent reflecting it). but i feel like at this point if im still struggling to even get a 550 on the gmat im pretty much hopeless. i just dont know what to do at this point anymore. im gonna be taking a a cat or two every week until my test and just hope for the best. i only need a 550, but if i cant even get that ill probably just give up on life haha

edit: im also not a foreign student, so all the concepts ive known since before and studying for the gmat was mostly a refresher. i really dont think what the questions are asking for are difficult at all, idk why i just cant seem to know the right equation to get it, even though i know pretty much all the basic questions. i know in quant gmat it usually only requires 2-3 steps, but seriously, each question seems so different than review topics ive gone over (mgmat, gmatclub, etc) like most of the questions make you have to alter the equation not in any way that has been reviewed at all.

sorry for the rant. its probably just me, im just sick of being an idiot. and honestly at this point i really dont think theres anymore tips that can help me increase my score. ive done everything i can, and i know ive done a lot to prepare for this, theres just nothing else i can do but rely on luck

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi btan219,

If you're generally comfortable with the overall material and you can get questions correct when you're calm (and not worried about the clock), then you probably need to work more on your state of mind and 'mechanics' than on anything else. Taking lots and lots of CATs will NOT solve either of these problems - you'll just keep performing in the same general ways.

As odd as this may seem, taking MORE notes actually makes the whole process of answering a GMAT question easier. Since you already know that GMAT questions require several steps, you shouldn't worry about trying to do all the steps at once and you shouldn't worry about figuring out what all of the steps are before you get started. Instead, find ONE step that you can deal with....and then deal with it. For most questions, the first step is to take some general notes - write down a formula, make a table, jot down the data (and label it), etc. Also write down the question (what is the goal? what are you trying to figure out?) - this will give you context for whatever you have to do next. You'd be amazed how easy most of the 'math' actually is, but it's only easy if you can "see" it, so DO NOT do work in your head. Force yourself to put everything on the pad and demand precision. At this scoring level, silly mistakes are the 'enemy', so don't let them happen.

You should also take advantage of the Quant and Verbal Forums here. Post any and every question that you want to review - the Experts and other Users will be able to provide plenty of assistance.

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

GMATPill · Answer

btan219,

Be sure to actually review mistakes from your prior tests. You're taking a lot of tests and I get the sense that you're not necessarily thoroughly reviewing your mistakes. You should hold yourself accountable and now allow yourself to move forward until you can mentally walk through questions and make a conscious effort to adjust your thought process so you don't make the same mistake next time.

When you are ready, we encourage to click the links below in my signature to get further practice. Again, make sure you actually review -- this is where the real studying happens. Don't just simply blow through question after question without thoughtful review. We can help you in the process.

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How is the current scoring for the economist gmat practice test?

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