I took all 6 practice exams, scores 590-710, is this normal?

Question

I took all 6 practice exams back-to-back with a day in between each:
Exam 1:  590 , with the lowest relative score on Integrated Reasoning
Exam 2:  650 , Integrated Reasoning
Exam 3:  710 , Verbal
Exam 4:  700 , Integrated Reasoning
Exam 5:  620 , Verbal
Exam 6:  620 , Verbal

In my opinion, those results show a very wide range of outcomes... Is this a normal experience for everyone? If so, then, in my opinion, the GMAT isn't super accurate unless everyone takes 3+ tests to report the average and doesn't "game the test" by refusing low scores and trying again...

bb · Answer

NUTS! I assume these are GMAT prep tests?

The results are pretty insane. It is also amazing and crazy at the same time that you have taken all the tests one day apart … Are you under pressure to finish the prep stage now? Usually people try to save these… What prompted you to do such a fascinating experiment? I love it by the way 😎

The overall score does not take integrated reasoning into account and the IR score doesn’t really count all that much in admissions. You want it to be OK but it won’t influence anyone unless it’s like 2.

PS. A couple points in defense of the poor GMAC 😂:

1. No test is perfect especially since multiple subjects and topics are tested and the scores will be influenced if your knowledge is deficient or superior in one of them.

2. There is a standard air is the result of bullet point one of about 40 points meaning that if you take the test back to back your difference in scores may be as high as 40 but not 140

3. Some of this could be possible if you had known some of the questions or other answers to some of the questions on the test. Any chance this could’ve been the case?

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mikebator · Answer

For the last 7 years, I was a working professional in the US after finishing my bachelor's in a developing country (Europe). And since I didn't have much of the textbook knowledge fresh in my head, I gave myself about a week

to prepare for the first practice exam by only using the 90 practice questions and looking up wrong answers on this forum. 1. Ok. 2. Ok. 3. No, I didn't know the questions or answers. Well, my official test is tomorrow, so yes, I was under self-inflicted pressure as I made the mistake of scheduling the test before learning how challenging it will be

Anything below 720 I will need to refuse, which is pretty much a guarantee at this point. And will schedule another test 2-3 months later.

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Might be worth checking if there is a specific section you are "hit or miss" with in the mocks. For example, the algorithm may be making a judgement on your overall geometry ability when it throws circles your way (because you're super strong with circles) but changes that opinion when it throws triangles (which you're perhaps not so strong with).

mikebator · Answer

Probably this, thank you. As a next step, I will systematize all my errors to find patterns and will find targeted questions for those.

bb · Answer

If your test is this close. You may want to take a little breather and rest for a bit. It’s a good you’ve conditioned your mind and body to perform so much and get used to the test fatigue and the pain. You just want to give yourself a little bit of a breather see you have extra Umph on the test day.

Good luck!!!

Posted from my mobile device

Good luck!!!

Posted from my mobile device

AjiteshArun · Answer

You are already capable of getting a 700+ score. The variation may be due partly to fatigue.

All the best.

bb · Answer

I can see this potentially too! I admit I did not think of this reason… I don’t know if I could force myself to take a test every other day 🤦‍♂️

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kaladin123 · Answer

I did something quite similar, way back in 2019.

But, in my case, my scores were pretty consistent. https://i.ibb.co/8mpqgBm/mocks.jpg

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi mikebator,
 
There are a variety of factors that can impact your performance during a practice CAT/mock, including the type of Exam that you're using, the time of day that you start the Exam, the testing conditions, how well-rested you are, etc. In addition, the process of taking (and reviewing) a CAT requires a significant amount of energy and effort - and takes time to 'recover' from. This is one of the reasons why you typically shouldn't take more than 1 CAT per week - and your last CAT should be taken about 1 week before Test Day. By taking 6 CATs in such a short timeframe, there's a reasonable chance that you experienced some 'burn out' on your later CATs (which would help to explain the drop in those latter Scores).

Since your Official GMAT is scheduled for tomorrow, you should now limit your studies to general practice and light review (NO CATs and NO 'cramming') - you would be better served by getting some extra rest though, so that you can go into Test Day calm, clear-headed and ready to work. Once you have your Scores, you should post back here and we can discuss the results and how you might best proceed from here.

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

mikebator · Answer

Got 640, cancelled immediately. Does this count toward 8 total that I can take in a lifetime?

Will try again once I score consistently above my target of 740

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi mikebator,

I'm sorry to hear that Test Day did not turn out as well as hoped. Many GMATers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so it's likely that you just have not put in enough time and effort to earn a higher Score YET. To answer your immediate question: YES, this attempt does count towards your 8-attempt lifetime limit (even though you 'cancelled' this result). Since it sounds as though you're ready to put in significantly more study time, before we discuss how you might best proceed with your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

1) What were your Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores on your Official GMAT?
2) How many hours have you typically studied each week?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

If you took your GMAT at a Test Center, then you might also choose to purchase the Enhanced Score Report. While the ESR doesn’t provide a lot of information, there are usually a few data points that we can use to define what went wrong on Test Day (and what you should work on to score higher). If you purchase the ESR, then I'll be happy to analyze it for you.

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

kaladin123 · Answer

I didn't get an option to cancel my GMAT (online) score, so I'm assuming that you took the test at a test-center. AFAIK, cancelled scores count towards the lifetime limit. https://gmatclub.com/forum/if-i-cancell ... 68631.html Sad to hear that you didn't get the score you wanted. But, hang in there.

All the best with your prep!

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi mikebator,

I think part of the reason you had such fluctuations in your scores is that you took those tests so close together. is there a particular reason why you did that?

bb · Answer

Yes. Every attempt counts unless you had a technical difficulty that interrupted your test and you were given an option to retake it for free. That is the only situation when it will not count towards your lifetime limit.

PS. There was a period of about five months last year during the first five months of GMAT online when a single attempt did not count towards the lifetime limit. That attempt was then extended when GMAC allowed to retake the test with the physical whiteboard and that attempt was also not counted but everything taken after September 24 2020 has been counting towards the life time limit.

Annoyingly enough, I have not seen a single person who has received a waiver to the eight lifetime test limit despite the fact that it was introduced and suggested that waivers would not be unreasonably withheld. Go figure.

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I took all 6 practice exams, scores 590-710, is this normal?

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