Is GMAT PREP reliable?

Question

Hi guys,

I would be grateful if you could clarify my ideas.
Here's the story: I have NEVER studied for gamt or even tried to answer a single question.
Today I downloaded GMAT prep and had a whole test (just to give it a try)

Result: 650, Q44 V36.

Now, is this result reliable? (it would be great for me)
Does it really mean this is (more or less) my baseline?

Thanks a lot, I am a bit confused and I'm trying to understand if I am missing something

abhimahna · Answer

Hey fabiuz23 ,

Congratulations for getting such a great score as the baseline.

Yes, this score is really reliable and you can not very confidently determine your weaknesses.

Remember, GMATPrep is the official mock and it is the true indicator of your knowledge.

Looks like you can get to your dream score very soon, if you practice/study in the right way since day 1.

All the best

fabiuz23 · Answer

Thanks a lot! Still can't believe it

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi fabiuz23,

A 650 is a really strong initial CAT score (the average score on the Official GMAT hovers around 540-550 most years), so if you truly took this CAT in a realistic fashion - and you have never studied anything GMAT-related before - then you're likely a really strong 'critical thinker' and could potentially score at a really high level on the Official GMAT.

1) What is your goal score?
2) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
4) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

fabiuz23 · Answer

Hi Rich,

thanks for your comment.

Yeah I tried to simulate the test (actually a longer pause between quant and verbal and a 2 min break during verbal because of headache).
Actually Gmat, before today, was not in my plans XD

Anyway I am interested in Masters of Management (MIM).

I have already been accepted to Grenoble Ecole de Management for September, and by the end of this month I'm having an interview+test for ESCP (gmat not necessary for this kind of admission process).

These were the B Schools I was interested in, but obviously after today I am reconsidering everything.... do you have any suggestions? 
In addition, when do you think I should be able to take the real test? I know at least 2 months of study are requested, but I think it's also a bit late for deadlines and I think that a 670-80 would already be super for me (650 is already a good score for MIM as far as I know)

Thank you in advance!

AjiteshArun · Answer

650 for your first practice test is very, very good

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi fabiuz23,

You should probably take some time to really think about the type of career path that you want to be on and how each type of Advanced Degree would help you to achieve those goals. From what you've described, you've already been accepted to a Program that does NOT require the GMAT - so there's some question as to why you chose to take this practice GMAT CAT. Perhaps you're not really that interested in this particular Program or perhaps it matches your goals perfectly (and this practice CAT was just a 'distraction'). No one here can make those decisions for you, but you appear to have some time to decide either way.

If you do decide to continue with the GMAT, then you could potentially test in a month and hit 680+ (although you would likely need to spend more time/effort on your studies to consistently score at that higher level).

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

fabiuz23 · Answer

Hi Rich,

thanks again.

Yesterday I took the second free gmat prep test (I know it's quite useless to use CATs this way) just to make sure about my baseline.
I couldn't concentrate properly and I couldn't even complete the quant section(I see it's very difficult to take 2 CATs in 2 days!), however I still scored 600, Q37 V35. For this reason I've decided i will take Gmat within the end of March.

As I can see, I'm quite strong in the verbal section and weak in quant, so I think I whould focus on this and just consolidate verbal skills (very little exercise I mean).

Now, I've already bought the Gmat official guide books, and I've seen good reviews about the Manhattan quant strategy guide. Keeping in mind that I have less than 2 months, what do you think would bring the best result, the strategy guide or maybe an online course like yours? Or both?

Thank you in advance

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi fabiuz23,

Since you've now taken a second CAT, we have 'new' information that we have to consider. Given the rather significant drop in your Quant Scaled Score, it's possible that you're not as strong a Quant thinker as the first CAT score suggested (meaning that you might have gotten a bit 'lucky' on that first CAT - perhaps in an area such as Data Sufficiency - a category in which your really have to consistently work to PROVE what the correct answer is to score at a high level). Given this second result, it's now possible that you would need 1-2 months (or more) of consistent, guided study to hit your Score Goal.

Given all of the information that you've provided, I want to reiterate that you should take a little time to define the type of career path you want to be on AND the type of degree that would best match those goals. In simple terms, you have to define what's MOST important: attending the MiM Program that you were originally interested OR getting into some other type of Program that requires a higher GMAT Score. You also have to define the timeline: would you be interested in attending a better Program IF you had to wait until later on to apply? No one here can answer these questions for you, so you have to define what you want and go from there (as an aside though, any 'plan' that would involve you having to 'rush' through your studies is NOT a good plan).

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

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