What about MGMAT CATs? I don't like their questions, but their scores are usually pretty close to GMATPrep results.

I agree MGMAT CAT are good practice. I took each of the six MGMAT CAT three times. My verbal score was around 38-40ish. I just don't know why all my previous real exam my verbal score was all around 27,28. I don't understand. I have to admit that I do have a little test anxiety especially with verbal section.

I think $890 is a bit overpriced for a program that is still in an academic beta. Although the CATs appear to have room for improvement, the rest of the program is still pretty good. As you've noted, the SC questions are very similar to OG11. In fact, some questions are copied directly from the OG, but the nouns are changed. Although the question stem will seem familiar, they often test slightly different concepts.

Based on where things stand today, this is my view of the CAT world:
GMAT Prep - Easily #1
Manhattan GMAT - Neither Quant nor Verbal questions are representative of the real GMAT, but the estimated scores are reasonably accurate.
Knewton - The scoring needs some work, but the questions are very similar to the GMAT. Unfortunately, the CAT currently fails to deliver enough 700+ level questions.

It's a toss up between MGMAT and Knewton for me right now. I really dislike the fact that MGMAT encourages you to study the wrong ideas, but Knewton's scoring and poor progression for question difficulty present a new series of issues.

If you're looking for a new approach to the GMAT, and you don't mind being a lab rat, Knewton might be for you. It's just too early in this program's development to give it a solid recommendation. The instructors are really great though.

I dont know whether that is entirely correct or not. What I am told by some one who is an instructor is that questions on parabola's and Geometric progressions are becoming very common. While the MGMAT Quant is still a stretch by all means, the verbal seems to be pretty close and the sort of stuff that will help one get past 700. If you look at the advanced concepts in the 4th edition SC guide, there are going to be questions that will come to your mind and if you have a good memory you will soon remember that the OG explanation sucks and MGMAT pretty much peeled the onion for all such similar questions.

I am not sure about parabola's and geometric progressions are becoming very common, but I did encounter one parabola question on my last real GMAT exam.

To clarify - I don't believe there's a single question type in the MGMAT CATs that isn't capable of appearing on a real exam. However, I do believe that MGMAT overemphasizes the frequency of some question types. While it can be helpful to study more difficult and complicated material to increase speed and stamina, it is perhaps more important to spend the most time studying the concepts that you will definitely see on the exam.

I own the 3rd edition SC guide, so I haven't read the 4th edition, but that's outside the scope of what I said anyway (I was comparing CATs - not study materials). The guides are great, but the CATs can be misleading.

For what it's worth, I do use the MGMAT CATs occasionally for an additional reference point. I'm only one data point though.

Ahh! I Thanks for the clarification. I some how missed the point that you were specifically talking about the CAT's. I agree with what you are saying on the importance of what we see on the exam but I am starting to feel that few SC questions will be unlike those in the OG/VR and thats where MGMAT might be helpful. Take a peek at the 4th edition, it seems useful to me.

CAT #3 Update

Score: 750 (Q48, V45)

Quant (48)
-Missed 1 Question (#22)

Verbal (45)
-Missed 4 Questions (# 1, 13, 14, 24)
-Wrong Answers (3 SC, 1 RC)

Analysis
I've been supplementing my Knewton coursework with Jeff Sackmann's Total GMAT Math, so I was expecting to see a small increase in my Quant score. The CAT still isn't providing a significant number of difficult quant questions. After finishing the quant section, I made a note to myself that the questions felt as if they were in the 46-48 range.

The increase in SC errors is a little disappointing, but I haven't been studying SC much at all. It's always hard to balance Quant vs. Verbal.

I think I'm going to take GMATPrep #1 next weekend, so we can tie all the results together and see what the correlation is.

Here's my Knewton CAT history so far:

CAT #3 07/04/2009 at 02:59PM | Q48 V45 750
CAT #2 06/20/2009 at 02:46PM | Q46 V45 730
CAT #1 05/25/2009 at 12:42PM | Q46 V32 640 (Diagnostic - really out of practice)

There must be something wrong with the timer function of the Knewton GMAT CAT. I finished my first diagnostic WAY early, 57' for Quant and 66' for Verbal, something that never happened during my 3 actual tests, all of which I struggled with pacing. I emailed support yesterday. Let's hear what Knewton have to say about this.

I just bought the Knewton course. My OCD is acting up again so please bear with me. I can’t decide which schedule to take, the 2 times a week classes or the once a week classes. I’m also thinking of just creating my own schedule and watch the archived classes. IIRC, the 2 times a week session is about 1 ½ months long, while the once a week session is about 3 ½ months long.

I’ve been preparing for the last 2 ½ months already. For 2 ½ months I’ve read pretty good books like Sackmann’s Total Gmat Math, Powerscore’s CR bible and MGmat’s SC bible. These are solid books. I probably just need to read them again or at least review them.

Despite my preparation however, I scored very low in my Knewton diagnostic exam. (Q and V are both low, too embarrassed to mention right now ) I’m worried about regressing if I go with the once a week classes. I’ve read so much about the “law of diminishing returns” if I take my review beyond 3-4 months (something like that) or worse suffer burn out. On the other hand I might get information overload if I go with the 2 times a week classes. Has anyone tried either of the schedules I mentioned? How did you find them? Was it too hectic, too long or what have you? How about creating your own schedule and watching the archived classes? Has anyone tried this? Sorry for being too anal about it. I just can’t believe that I got a very low score in my Knewton diagnostic exam, since almost everybody here seems to find the questions easy or at least not particularly difficult. Well, I did find the question not particularly difficult also. In fact I finished about 25 minutes early in the verbal section and 5 minutes early in the quant section. I’m just surprised with my very low score. I tried to justify it by finding some excuses such as my lack of sleep (5 hrs.) and my carelessness. But excuses are just that, the real gmat won’t care.

Whew. It feels good to get it off my chest. At any rate thanks for reading my whinings. I just want to maximize my preparation without going overboard or regressing. My target gmat score is still 700 plus. Anyway, hopefully all of us get our target gmat scores. TIA

P.S. Just wondering, did anyone of you get the bonus MBA mini-course? My Knewton course doesn't seem to include it. Thanks.

I did not get the Mini-MBA course - I was wondering where that offer went.

As for schedule, I'd recommend the 2x/week if you can make the time for it. Once a week would be too slow in my opinion.

I asked knewton support about the Mini-course. They told me that the Mini course will be offered late in the summer, maybe in early August. You should receive an email about that one week prior to the course starting date.

Awesome - thanks for sharing this.

I have just done knewton CAT#4

Total 690
Q 48 missed (#22, #32) both are DS questions. I finished with 20 minutes to spare. I did encounter a pretty tough question around #6, but I guessed right. Overall, the quantitative part is still kind of easier compare to the real one. The timing for the quant part is ok. Last time when I was in the test center for the real deal, I also finished the quant with around 15 minutes to spare.

V 35 missed (#3, #5, #15, #24, #31, #32) 1SC, 4RC, and 1CR. I guess my problem is RC for sure. I can't tell whether verbal is also easier than the real one. I think SC and CR are kind of easier than the real deal. I finished this section with 5 minutes to spare. This timing might be a little suspicious. I always seem to run out of time on GMATprep or the real one.

Overall, it is still great question for practice.

CAT#4 07/06/2009 at 10:30PM Q48 V35 T690
CAT#3 06/24/2009 at 10:49PM Q50 V26 T640
CAT#2 06/15/2009 at 10:18PM Q45 V41 T700
CAT#1 (diagnostic) 03/28/2009 at 11:02PM Q48 V31 T660

I think for me to get over 700, it will all depend on my luck on the verbal section.

Hi,

Thought I add my experience.

I am currently doing MGMAT and its not bad. But comparing to Knewton, it seems Knewton gives more direct teaching on where you are weak.

But comparing both the CATs from MGMAT and Knewton (I tried their trial), MGMAT seems to give a lower score. I scored about 620 for MGMAT, but scored 670 for Knewton.

Perhaps for people keen, go for the lessons with Knewton, but test yourself against MGMAT CATs.

Knewton CAT #4

Score: 730 (Q48, V41)

Quant
-Missed 1 DS

Verbal
-Missed 1 RC and 2 SC, but happened to be within the first 15 questions.

For a company that prides itself on having the original creators of the GMAT on staff, it certainly has an terrible scoring method and/or adaptive algorithm.

I'm beginning to wonder if these CATs are even worth taking as legitimate practice. The CATs have a good database of GMAT-like questions, but you're unlikely to challenged to your full potential and your score will reflect that.

There is a discount going on knewton - $800 course is available for $599

Thanks
Ichha
_________________

heres a link for $590 - https://www.knewton.com/secure/gmat/lp/ ... g_try_free

Fellas,

Knewton CAT2: 740 (Q 48, V43) Q26,27,30 wrong V25,39,41 wrong. This was 10 days ago

Knewton CAT3: 700 (Q 50, V 34) Q All correct. V 4,33,40,41 ( I cant believe that I chose E for Q 33 while in my mind I answered it A, which is correct)

The only thing I figured out of so far with Knewton tests is on the GMAT in the Verbal Section" Dont think twice if you are confident, because it will cut into the time for the last 6/7 questions"

Now, I guess I am the second one to report that you get all 37 correct in Q and only still get a 95th percentile or lower.

Doesnt make sense? Do they?

I took MGMAT CAT #4 today as another reference point.

Score: 730 (Q49,V41)

Admittedly, I still struggle with the seemingly impossible timing requirements for MGMAT CAT's. I paused the clock for a few minutes in each section. The quant is simply really involved and the reading comp passages are super long.

I'm done with my Knewton course now, so I'll be spending the next two weeks taking practice tests and reviewing weak areas.