Knowing you are doing well on the test as you are doing it..

Question

Hi Folks,

I was wondering how one can know if they are doing well on a test? I realize the questions get harder and harder but is there a type of question that serves as a good indicator ?

For example, if I get a propability question does that mean I am doing well on the quantitative section?

Thanks,

Praetorian · Answer

Doing such analysis when you are trying to concentrate on getting questions correct may not be a good strategy. Also, even if you find out that you are not doing good on the test, you can do very little with the information. 


Praetorian

Zagros · Answer

You are probably right but couldn't one opt to discard the test at the end of it they feel they did not do well?

NTLancer · Answer

the only reason to discard a test is if you pass out in the middle of your quant section

... in reality even if you felt that you didnâ€™t do well think of it as the ultimate practice test ... you need to know you level it will help you with your future studying. The effect that your low score will have on your MBA apps is minimal as you will have a much higher score to back up the fact that you never give up!

Praetorian · Answer

Take the test as best you can. At the end of the 4 hours, you are given an option to cancel. Thats why you have all the time to world to think back and consider. Until and unless you have that absolute feeling that you did very bad, do not cancel. Please. 

I have heard of stories where someone thought they didnt do well in Quant, so they lost concentration in verbal. And of course, they did great in Quant, but lost the plot in verbal.

drummond · Answer

I strongly recommend that you DO NOT CANCEL.

First, while cancelling means your scores do not go out, Pearson warns that when you take the test again, the schools which receive your scores will be advised that you had previously taken a test, and requested not to send out your scores, which just plain looks bad.

Second, to be honest, when I finished the test I felt really bad about my Quant section, and so I gritted my teeth when I had to click "accept" on the scores. I was very pleasantly surprised by the 730 I earned.

I have a suspicion that if, like me, you try to get every answer right, at the end of the test you will be dissatified and just a little bit worried about your scores, but you will get good scores. I have read several reports from people who were happy with their test until they saw the score, and several who were unhappy with how they did until they saw the score, so feeling tense and exhausted at the end of the test may actually be a good sign :stupid

Hopefully other test-takers will tell us how they felt.

Praetorian · Answer

drummond

I couldnt agree more. thanks for sharing.

Praetorian

rao_raghunath · Answer

What I heard is if you are not doing good in verbal, then your passages will become very shorter.

kayli · Answer

I agree that it's dangerous to try to guess how you're doing mid-test. It can blow your concentration. Also - I've been told that the beta questions are not placed relative to your level of difficulty, so you could get an easy beta question in the middle and make yourself think you're doing poorly. 

Personally, I freaked myself out at the end and thought about cancelling. Those 30 seconds waiting for my score felt like hours, but I was so pleasantly surprised when 710 popped up!

Re: RC passages getting shorter. I had very short passages on mine. None required me to scroll. I thought it was bizarre. But I wound up with a 50 in verbal, so I don't think there's ANY validity to that claim.

My advice - just stay calm, take each question as it comes, and don't cancel your scores unless you had something really, really major happen in the middle.

willget800 · Answer

I agree.. DO we have enough time to even finish the test let alone think how we are doing on the test? i see wha tyou guys saying.. it is a matter of impelementing the thougha nd telling yourself not to worry of the end score and just concentrating on your current task..

there is a saying in hindi: "karma kiye jaa fhal ki icha mat kar"
meaning. do your work(sow your seeds), dont be bothered of the fruit that comes out. concentrate on today!

not sure if i can apply that.. but will have to try

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