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01 Jun 2017, 14:41
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I am trying to get into business school last minute for this year and basically have had 4 weeks to prep for the GMAT and have two weeks until test day. I am shooting for a 630 or so, and my last 3 practice tests have been a 570, 620, and 600 respectively. I am finding multiple quant problems where I understand the principles behind them, but being on a time crunch my brain shuts down a bit and I get behind the clock and eventually have to move on without a certain answer. Does anyone have any feedback, given I have two weeks to study, to improve my score in the quant area? I have considered just doing hundreds of practice problems, as almost every problem once I glance how they started the problem, I have that "oh yeah" moment. Another interesting thing is that my correct rate is the exact same on 600-700 level questions as it is for the 500-600 level questions through 3 Manhattan practice tests. What would be the best method to ensure I am answering the 500-600 level questions with greater accuracy? I've considered running through Magoosh practice set to medium for tons of questions. As my post is kind of all over the place, so is my brain. I feel I just need some input on how best to approach a problem as soon as I start it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
01 Jun 2017, 15:39
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Hi JGallimore,
If you took these CATs in a realistic fashion, and we assume that the scores are accurate, then you could have very easily scored 630 on any (or all) of them. 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 your CATs function, your 3 CAT score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (about a 600 +/- a few points; with a "high end" of 630 and a "low end" of 570). To hit your goal score, you do not need to correctly answer any questions that you think are too hard or too weird, but you do need to keep the little mistakes to a minimum on the "gettable" questions.
I have a few questions about how you took your CATs:
1) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) Did you take them at home?
3) Did you take them at the same time of day as when you plan to take your Official GMAT?
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you can't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)?
5) Did you ever take a CAT more than once? Had you seen any of the questions BEFORE?
Beyond those questions, I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:
1) When you say that you're trying to get into Business School "at the last minute", what does that mean exactly? What application deadline(s) are you facing?
2) What's more important - getting into (any) Business School now or getting into your first-choice Business School (even if that means getting in a little later)?
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
If you took these CATs in a realistic fashion, and we assume that the scores are accurate, then you could have very easily scored 630 on any (or all) of them. 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 your CATs function, your 3 CAT score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (about a 600 +/- a few points; with a "high end" of 630 and a "low end" of 570). To hit your goal score, you do not need to correctly answer any questions that you think are too hard or too weird, but you do need to keep the little mistakes to a minimum on the "gettable" questions.
I have a few questions about how you took your CATs:
1) Did you take the ENTIRE CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) Did you take them at home?
3) Did you take them at the same time of day as when you plan to take your Official GMAT?
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you can't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)?
5) Did you ever take a CAT more than once? Had you seen any of the questions BEFORE?
Beyond those questions, I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:
1) When you say that you're trying to get into Business School "at the last minute", what does that mean exactly? What application deadline(s) are you facing?
2) What's more important - getting into (any) Business School now or getting into your first-choice Business School (even if that means getting in a little later)?
3) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
01 Jun 2017, 16:22
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Rich,
Thanks for the response. To summarize a response to some of your questions, I took my last two practice exams in very realistic fashion, all sections, same time of day, etc. I did not see any of the same questions on each exam. To further explain my situation, I am applying to the EWMBA program at Haas. I inquired about the program about 4 weeks ago, just before their application deadline. I inquired late because I thought I would be moving this fall, but due to some changes I will now be staying in the Bay Area. The low end range for the program is about a 640, and my (fairly late) application is very strong minus the GMAT score. I have decided Haas is where I want to be due to their defining principles and strong veteran support. All that being said, if I can't get my GMAT into the competitive range by June 15th (test date), I will do a more lengthy study and prep to ensure I am well in the range. I work full time and still am in the military reserve and have some commitments so study time has been pretty sparse, but I'm doing my best to give it a shot to get into the program for this fall. To give some more clarity on the practice exams, my verbal has ranged from the 68th-80th percentile, but my quant has been 30-50% range. I am quick with calculations once I set things up properly, but translating the problem into the proper equation seems to be my issue (mixture, ratio, sets, problems mainly). So I am looking for guidance on how best to boost my quant score over the next two weeks. I am not holding my breath on getting in this fall, but the timing would be perfect with my career and family so I want to give it a try.
Posted from my mobile device
Thanks for the response. To summarize a response to some of your questions, I took my last two practice exams in very realistic fashion, all sections, same time of day, etc. I did not see any of the same questions on each exam. To further explain my situation, I am applying to the EWMBA program at Haas. I inquired about the program about 4 weeks ago, just before their application deadline. I inquired late because I thought I would be moving this fall, but due to some changes I will now be staying in the Bay Area. The low end range for the program is about a 640, and my (fairly late) application is very strong minus the GMAT score. I have decided Haas is where I want to be due to their defining principles and strong veteran support. All that being said, if I can't get my GMAT into the competitive range by June 15th (test date), I will do a more lengthy study and prep to ensure I am well in the range. I work full time and still am in the military reserve and have some commitments so study time has been pretty sparse, but I'm doing my best to give it a shot to get into the program for this fall. To give some more clarity on the practice exams, my verbal has ranged from the 68th-80th percentile, but my quant has been 30-50% range. I am quick with calculations once I set things up properly, but translating the problem into the proper equation seems to be my issue (mixture, ratio, sets, problems mainly). So I am looking for guidance on how best to boost my quant score over the next two weeks. I am not holding my breath on getting in this fall, but the timing would be perfect with my career and family so I want to give it a try.
Posted from my mobile device
