How to gauge what score level I am currently at ?

Question

Here's some info about the tests that I have taken and when I have taken them. What can I expect on gmat day ? My target is 760. Should I postpone my gmat ?

23rd Feb 620 Q-37 V-38 GMATPrep official mock 1 ( first attempt )
4th April 660 Q-47 V-34 GMATPrep official mock 2 ( first attempt )
18th April 690 Q-50 V-34 GMATPrep official mock 3 ( first attempt )
14th May 710 Q-49 V-38 GMATPrep official mock 4 ( first attempt )
24th May 740 Q-49 V-41 GMATPrep official mock 1 ( first reset )
26th May 750 Q-49 V-42 GMATPrep official mock 2 ( first reset )
28th May 710 Q-45 V-42 GMATPrep official mock 5 ( first attempt )
28th May 720 Q-49 V-39 GMATPrep official mock 3 ( first reset )
31st May 730 Q-50 V-39 GMATPrep official mock 4 ( first reset )
1st June 720 Q-49 V-40 GMATPrep official mock 6 ( first attempt )

Im a bit confused. Should I take the 6th and final mock within a few days to see where I stand or is it that at this stage, the scores are unpredictable and I should just give the actual test a go ?

desertEagle · Answer

You are taking tests too frequently. So, your score is higher than it should be because you might be getting repeat questions. Mock tests are not be be used in this manner.

The right way is to take a test. Find which topics you are lagging in and then work towards improving those topics by revising the topic from book or source material from which you have prepared. Then do 20-30 question on that topic. Then after all such topics in which you lag are revised and worked upon, you revise it one day and then take the test the next day.

I believe you real score is around 720-730. If you want to guage your score more accurately take a free mock test from one of the companies, eg manhattan gmat etc. The first one is free, rest you will have to buy.

Best of luck

sujoshk · Answer

Thank you so much for your response. Just wanted to mention that I realize that repeated tests can give you inaccurate results which is why I purchased the 4 additional mocks from gmatprep and took them. Even the repeat attempts were after a very long time gap and i don't think I remembered much from taking these back in feb.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Consider taking a bit of a gap whenever you decide to take the 6th. A day and time that you are rested and fresh.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi sujoshk,

When is your Official Test Date - and are you taking your GMAT at a Test Center or through the At-home option?

In addition, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

bb · Answer

Hi. Taking GMAT Prep after a reset is tricky. However, it looks like based on the most consistent measurement is that you are around 710 based on the test 5. Resets can provide unpredictable results so I would not want to fall for that potentially.

My suggestion is to take the test when you are within 10 points or so of your final score OR when you really don't feel you can study anymore and starting to lose the edge. In this case it looks like your May 14th and May 28th scores were the same. Are you not studying? Are you studying? Perhaps the root issue is elsewhere since it shows no improvement?

I would also note that test 6 can be a bit unpredictable. This test still provides the score using the official questions and algorithm but many reported getting a deflated score with only 3-4 questions wrong and most of the test 6 questions being low and medium difficulty (which in turn requires a much higher accuracy rate since the diff never goes quite high). Anyway, if you are finding you make a lot of careless mistakes (by a lot I mean more than 2 per section), then you may get a lowballed score, that's potentially a bit lower than what you would have gotten on Test 2 or 4 for example. At the same time, if you do get a low-balled score of 700 or 690, don't throw your computer through the window and don't get disappointed, it is just a slightly different focus on this test 6 due to the questions it contains. And if you do make more than 2 per section, you really need to figure out how to get a handle of careless mistakes - at the goal you are aiming for, you can't afford these anymore.

-BB

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

sujoshk

One thing that may be helpful for your prep is to go through the Official Mocks and figure out what may be causing any issues or fluctuations in your scores. Is it the length of time you spend going through RC passages, for example? Is it geometry questions on the Quant section?

For specific suggestions, consider adding the Q/V scores of your mocks in your original post.

All the best.

For specific suggestions, consider adding the Q/V scores of your mocks in your original post.

All the best.

How to get a V40 or higher on the GMAT? What about a V51?

sujoshk · Answer

Thanks for your response, GmatTutorKnight. I have updated my score breakup in my original post. I think it is possibly due to me taking too much time reading RC passages and specifically inference type CR. I have already completed the OG all the books via the wiley platform. I think I will give the ones I have answered incorrectly another go, followed by extensive review.

But yeah, see what you can make out of the new info that i've provided in my original post. Appreciate it. Thanks...

sujoshk · Answer

Thanks a lot for the response BB. I suppose I will take the plunge and take my first attempt on 10th June anyway. Something tells me I should not wait. I see what you are saying though. Although I am shooting for a 760 at least, I would not be disappointed with a 740. Anything below that would be a no-go for me... I am solving OG all over again ( all of the books ) for verbal, and gmatclub tests for bolstering quant to a point where I can get 50 in my sleep and 51 when im awake. A bit too ambitious but what the hell

. Love the community here though. People are keen to help. A truly motivating thing when you are in a self study regimen...

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Although I am shooting for a 760 at least, I would not be disappointed with a 740.

I had a past verbal student who ended up with a Q50 V40 for a 740, so that may be a combo to consider. One reason you may end up with a Q50 is your getting it on your 18th April Official Mock (which was a first attempt). You may end up with a Q49, which may be more likely given how your repeat attempts usually came up to Q49s (that one Q45 you have may be an outlier).

If you think that you got some of those Q49s because you saw repeat questions, probably good to take them with a grain of salt.

For Verbal, consider working on your solving approach. You mentioned reading. Find a method that promotes absorption. I teach one to students that doesn't rely on note-taking but there are probably multiple out there you can choose from. Find a method that clicks for you. Consider working with a study buddy who has strong Verbal skills, particularly on RC.

Here's the  740 student  I mentioned before. They worked with a study buddy, too, in addition to the bit of tutoring we did. Also had some other tips you might find helpful.

sujoshk · Answer

So I went ahead and took the 6th mock. Was just impatient I guess. Got a 720 ( q49 v40 ).
Im a bit surprised to be honest. I got 5 incorrect answers in verbal. ( 1 in RC, 3 in SC, 1 in CR ). Can't understand how i got a 40.
Also, I got 6 questions wrong in quant and ended up with a 49.

I suppose the wise thing to do at this stage would be to work on official guide all over again. I have less than 10 days to go before I take my first gmat attempt...

vv65 · Answer

Actually, your recent scores don't seem unpredictable. They are within a fairly narrow range; this much variation is almost expected.
The 45 in Quant is an exception.

Posted from my mobile device

sujoshk · Answer

Hey thanks for your response... So what can I expect my final score to be ?

vv65 · Answer

As BB said, you seem to be in the 710-720 range. But nobody can predict the final score! Because practice tests are always less pressure than the actual test.

And some people do better under pressure or when performance really matters. These people may be a minority, but they do exist. I've had a few students who produced their best ever scores on test day. They are the ones who just get to work when the exam begins and apply everything they have learnt.

Posted from my mobile device

sujoshk · Answer

I should probably delay my date then. Doesn't make sense to take it on 10th June when im at 710-20 range. I am targeting at least a 760..

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi  sujoshk ,

If you've been taking practice tests regularly, it may be a good idea to take the GMAT soon. You're probably at a nice local "peak" right now, and you may not have enough good practice tests left to (easily) get back there if you push your appointment back too much.

Keep in mind that if the GMAT fee isn't a major problem, you can always take the GMAT again later.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi sujoshk,

Did you end up taking your GMAT?

sujoshk · Answer

Thanks for the reply. So sorry that I replied late. I booked it for 28th June. Figured that verbal needed more work... So let's see how it goes...

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

How did it end up?

sujoshk · Answer

I got a 740 ( q48, v42 ). Hope it's enough for the schools I'm looking at.

Posted from my mobile device

	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

How to gauge what score level I am currently at ?

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