Is Kaplan CAT a good predictor?

Question

I have been working on the test provided with Kaplan stuff and I am disappointed by the score I got in the first test that I did: 540. In other tests I got much better scores:

Princeton: 710-690-710
PowerPrep: 720-710

Is Kaplan a good predictor?. Am I on the way to pass the barrier of 700?

I am really confused. The questions I got in that test were really difficult. I could not manage my time in verbal and I got very poor scores at RC and CR. Although I need to improve much, I think I am not as bad as to score 540. Can anyone give me some advise?

Darth_McDaddy · Answer

Join the club automan, I have faced the same predicament. I get really abysmal scores in Kaplan but am able to get decent scores on the powerprep. From what I hear, Kaplan scores are not to be taken seriously, but it makes for good practice. Only the Powerprep comes close to the actual exam (Provided, you haven't touched the OG yet).

My 0.02 cents
Darth :twisted:

Paul · Answer

Don't worry, it is alright to score bad with Kaplan and then get a much better score in the real test. I had scores from 590 to 670 on Kaplan and ended up with 700+ so Kaplan is much more difficult. Your PR(2005+ version) and Powerprep scores should be quite accurate. Powerprep is good only if you did not do the OG before. Furthermore, I never really understood Kaplan RC

It was worse than LSAT RC.

k12345 · Answer

A word of enouragement.. i know some one who had scored a 550 on the kaplan test a day before his Gmats and ended up with a 720 in the actual test. soo dont worry about kaplan tests, it is often said that the kaplan is one of the toughest test available...

olorin · Answer

I have a question about this - Is it that the Kaplan GMAT CD Exams are difficult? Or is it that they grade your exam tougher?

I've heard that the Verbal in Kaplan GMAT is very bad (I think the implication was that it was too easy for the Verbal section) - in which case, it's surprising that the overall score comes out to be so bad.

Thanks.

automan · Answer

Verbal was especially difficult, IMO.

Mick06 · Answer

I agree with the above posts - don't worry. I did Kaplan 2 days before the real test, after practicing with the OG for a month and scored 590. The only purpose that test served was to freak me out. I scored 760 on the real thing. Kaplan is a terrible indicator!

coffeeloverfreak · Answer

Kaplan was very useful, I found, as long as you don't base too much on the score. Practicing with their CATs and practice sets was good preparation because they were harder than the real thing. If you can do the Kaplan math, you can surely do the real GMAT math. If you're aiming for 700+, it's a good way to prepare, IMHO.

arsenicdoped · Answer

I agree with the above-mentioned explanations. But I think Kaplan is a good motivator to prepare a little more harder. Also, try GMATPrep - though it may have some of the questions from OG, most of those will not be so. It should be a good indicator of real GMAT score.

enkie · Answer

I think Kaplan test questions are also sometimes poorly written and confusing. Does anyone else experience similar problems?

abhicoolmax · Answer

I have asked this previously in forum and have not gotten a satisfactory ans. I have 2 MGMAT tests and 2 PR tests left; of-course I have 2 GMATPrep left for last 2 weekends before the test. But I want to practice more, can anybody recommend if I should just stick with these 4 tests left, or should I also get Kaplan tests and practice a couple there? I know I can repeat MGMAT but I don't want to do that, AND did not find PR tests challenging - quant can't be that easy. Please advice.

Paul78 · Answer

kaplan is good i prepared for my test in kamplan and i did good

abhicoolmax · Answer

Thanks I ended up buying it. I was not buying it because I didn't want to get confused or waste time just because I bought it. But now I am convinced that it is VERY VERY VERY VERY IMP to practice. I would not care much about the score I get, as I know I will suck, but I will try to give as many as possible. I am guessing the best time would be the 4th of July weekend - 4 days off - hope can get through 3-4 tests

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Is Kaplan CAT a good predictor?

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