MGMAT CAT progression

Question

All,

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My MGMAT CAT progression is as follows:

4/7 - CAT 1 650 (41Q/37V)

4/21 - CAT 2 660 (42Q/38Q)

5/11- CAT 3 680 (44Q/38Q)

All three were taken under test-like conditions.

My ultimate goal is to get into the best school possible, although UT or UCLA will get me to my ultimate end goal of IB. However, I think it would be crazy to just get 700+ and not strive to do as well as possible. If I can crank out a 730+, I'm sure I might actually have a chance at a Booth/Wharton/HBS...

I plan to take an official GMAC CAT tomorrow, but I was wondering if anyone has experience with a similar MGMAT progression and has scored well over the 700 mark? I plan to take the test in a month. Between now and test day I'll keep quant fresh and review a few of my recurring problem areas, while focusing on improving my verbal as much as possible.

Thanks!

akela · Answer

Hi  JSFTX ,

The MGMAT Quant is more difficult. Verbal is close the the real test. So your Quant score is likely to be a few points higher. Only the official CAT will show the estimated score.

Rubina11 · Answer

I will suggest take official exam because official mocks are best indicator of your estimated score

kiran120680 · Answer

Usaully MGMT quant would be a little tougher than real GMAT. Try Official mocks, these are at real GMAT level CATs.

souvonik2k · Answer

Hi
The MGMAT quant is definitely tougher than the actual Gmat. So you can expect higher score in Verbal. Keep up the Verbal score and your are on your way to a good score. The Gmatprep test will give you an exact score as it is the closest to the Gmat.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi JSFTX,

GMAC has publicly stated that the Official Score that you earn on Test Day is within +/- 30 points of actual ability. Assuming a similar 'swing' in how your CATs function, your 3 CAT score results show that you essentially performed the same each time (about 660 +/- a few points). You handle certain aspects of the GMAT consistently well, but you also make certain consistent mistakes. I think that it would be a good idea to take one of the Official GMAC CATs to see how you Score. Make sure to take it in a realistic fashion (take the FULL CAT - with the Essay and IR sections, take it away from your home, at the same time of day as when you'll take the Official GMAT, etc.). Once you have that score, you should report back here and we can discuss the results and how best to proceed.

In addition, before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:

Studies:
1) How long have you studied?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) Are these the only 3 CATs that you've taken? If there were others, then how have you scored on those other CATs (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?

Goals:
4) What is your ultimate goal score?
5) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

JSFTX · Answer

Hi Rich,

I took an GMAT official practice test 1 this morning and made a 700. (43Q42V). After reviewing everything on quant, I realized that I made some super careless mistakes. Five of the questions I missed I could normally answer in my sleep.

1) I've studied for 4.5 weeks so far.
2)I've used Manhattan Interact and all of the books that go along with it. However, I do acknowledge I went through the material quickly.
3)The three Manhattan (and one official from this morning) are the only ones that I've taken.
4) My ultimate goal score is undefined. My minimum is 700, but 730+ would be great. I'm a white male with three years work experience working in Finance. I also took time off during undergrad to start a company, which I later sold. UT Austin or Rice would get me to my ultimate goal of Oil and Gas IB in Houston, but I'd love to have a score worthy of applying to reach schools like Booth/Wharton.
5) I take the GMAT on June 20th, so roughly 5.5 weeks from now... I'd move it up if it were a good idea.. at this point, I'm not sure. It would be great to get a "one and done" score.
6) I'm planning on applying round one this fall for entrance in Fall2020

Thank you for your help!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi JSFTX,

Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so since you've been studying for just about a month - and you've been scoring at a relatively high level this entire time - you're clearly a strong critical thinker. By extension, you might naturally improve as you continue to study. You're consistently scoring in the low-Q40s, but that type of Score will not 'impress' anyone at a top-tier Program. That type of Score means that you did well on most of the 'math questions' that you faced in the Quant section, but you made a number of little mistakes as you worked through the section AND you missed out on LOTS of 'strategy-based' questions. The Quant section of the GMAT is NOT a 'math test' - it's a 'critical thinking test' that requires lots of little calculations as you work through it. To score at a much higher level in this section, you need to become more of a 'strategist' and less of a 'mathematician.'

You admitted to making a bunch of little mistakes in the Quant section of this recent CAT, so maybe you just have to work to eliminate those errors from your work to hit your Score. However, it's possible that "your way" of approaching the Quant section IS the issue - meaning that you would have to change how you 'see' (and respond to) that section to score a lot higher.

You could potentially improve a great deal with another 5+ weeks of study. At this point, it's not clear whether you need consistent, guided study or not - but I agree that locking in a high Score on the GMAT on the first try is preferable to stubbornly approaching the process and repeatedly taking the GMAT - so you can decide if investing in some additional study resources is an idea worth investigating.

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi JSFTX,

A 700 on an official practice exam after studying for just 4.5 weeks is really good! If you can put in some more study time and improve your quant skills, you likely can hit your 730+ score goal. If you need some advice on how to improve those skills, feel free to reach back out, and I’d be happy to help. You also may find it helpful to check out this article on  How to Increase Your GMAT Quant Score .

Good luck!

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