Kaplan Free Mock Test

Hi eshanitrivedi,

The scoring algorithm on the Official GMAT is far more complicated than most people realize. Since that algorithm is proprietary, no GMAT company has an exact match for it, thus CAT scores can vary a bit based on the 'biases' involved in their respective designs. The most realistic CATs available are the 6 from GMAC, but the other CATs that you've taken are all 'close enough' to the real thing that they should provide reasonably accurate assessments of your abilities. Keep in mind though that the accuracy of CAT results depends heavily on how YOU choose to take the CATs. The more realistic and 'test-like' you make those experiences, the more likely the score results are to be accurate. If you deviate from the standard Test Day 'event' (skipping sections, pausing the CAT, taking it at home, taking it at a different time of day from your Official Test time, etc.), then your scores can deviate too.

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

Hello Rich ,
Can you explain as to how taking taking a test at a different time of day from your Official Test time , affects the score of the mocks?

Regards
HK

Hi HK,

There are a variety of factors that can impact your performance on Test Day, so to maximize your score you really have to account for as many of those details as possible during your practice (and especially when you take your practice CATs). For example, if your GMAT is scheduled for 12:00pm, then you should take your CATs at 12:00pm (and make sure to account for all of the other Test Day details as well). On the day of your Official GMAT, if your Exam is actually earlier though (re: 8:00am or 9:00am), then you have to consider how ALL of the other aspects of your 'routine' will be impacted. Did the amount of sleep differ? What time did you wake up? What did you eat before your Exam? Were you hungry during the Exam? Etc.

The GMAT is an 'event' that you can train for, so if you train a certain way and then suddenly change some aspect of the process at the last minute (re: on Test Day), then the results will often not be good. Points can be won and lost rather easily on the Official GMAT, so you do NOT want to do anything that will 'throw off' your performance. Too many inconsistent details (or even just a couple of significant changes in your routine) could easily cost you 50+ points.

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

Thanks for this insight so much to learn from you as always , while i was preparing for CAT , a management entrance exam in India , I was advised to take mock tests in the similar time slot of the exam , as a part of brain train . Now i realise it's importance on the GMAT as well.

Regards,
HK

Hi

According to most of the reviews of Kaplan CATs takers, It gives inflated score by 20-30 points
these CATs are less recommendable you shoul better purchase Official GMAC CATs

You should take official GMAT PREP tests because they are the close indicator of your ability.

hello
I cannot find the kaplan free in your link, could you help me?

https://www.kaptest.com/gmat/gmat-pract ... pages-2016


And you can find a full list of the tests here: https://gmatclub.com/forum/all-gmat-pra ... ml?fl=menu

I do not agree to you on the effects of changes in routine. Even though all the factors mentioned by you can together cost 50 points, they may also boost up the score. The results differ from person to person and since people are more prone to report a change that impacted them negatively, there is a huge possibility of a negative bias in this sort of generalization.

To resolve this dilemma, however, I do not propose to do the opposite of what has been stated. I'd still say that test takers must take mock tests at the same time as they would the GMAT, sleep at the same time the night before (ideally taking 8 hrs nap), try to take similar meals and keep the same routine before the test, and follow the same diet during the in-test breaks. The idea, basically, is to be completely familiar with the test day and keep things as predictable as possible. Let the questions in GMAT be the only new and unique thing of the day.

Dear Mr Sajjad

I have exhausted the 6 prep tests in my first attempt, I have my 2nd attempt in 20 days, can you recommend which mocks should i purchase now?

Regards
Sambhav

Hi Sambhav,

While the most realistic CATs available are the 6 from GMAC, retaking a CAT that you've already taken is NOT a realistic way to assess your skills - since you will likely see some 'repeat' questions that you have already faced. Unfortunately, seeing even a couple of repeats can 'throw off' the Scoring Algorithm and impact your pacing, energy levels, fatigue, etc. (meaning that they would likely all appear to be better than they actually are). Thankfully, the CATs from Kaplan, MGMAT and Veritas are all 'close enough' to the real thing that they will provide you with a relatively realistic score assessment (assuming that you correctly take the CAT in a realistic fashion) - so you can use any NEW CATs from any of those sources next.

It's important to remember that each CAT is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to learn the necessary Tactics and put in the proper practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not. As such, you really shouldn't take more than 1 FULL CAT per week.

About 2 weeks ago, you posted about your recent GMAT attempt (and how you ran out of time on the Quant section and didn't answer the last 2 questions). Since your retest is coming up relatively soon, you will want to be really efficient with this next phase of your studies - but you didn't provide much information about your prior studies or plans, so it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How did you Score on each of your Official GMATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
2) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
3) What study materials have you used so far?
4) On what 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)?

Goals:
5) What is your overall goal score?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
7) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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