Mock test scores decreasing

Question

Hi everyone,

For some weird reason, my mock test scores are decreasing, and I am a bit worried about what might be the case. I have made sure to keep everything the same in terms of test conditions for all my mocks and in spite of actually studying, my mock scores are decreasing. My mock scores are as follows.

700 (Q50, V34)
680 (Q50, V31)
670 (Q49, V32)
650 (Q47, V32)

Yes, my quant is decreasing, but my verbal is also not increasing at all. I am able to understand the reason for this. It would be great if you could give me some tips as to how to work on this. Any input is really appreciated.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Mandy001,

The variations in these Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores are not as big as you might think - and they are likely due to a mix of lucky/unlucky guesses and little mistakes (that you either made or did not make on individual sections of each Test). There are clearly ways to improve, but you will likely have to make some fundamental changes to how you 'see' (and respond to) the Exam before you will be able to consistently score at a higher level.

We last discussed your studies approximately 4 weeks ago. At that time, you noted that your initial CAT Score was a 640/Q50/V26 (which does not appear in your list of Scores) and that your next score was the 680/Q50/V31. To properly assess your situation, it would help to know a bit more about the specifics of how you have been studying over the last 4 weeks.

1) How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you been using? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) On what dates (or approximate 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)?
4) Is your overall goal score still 750?

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

Contact Rich at: [email protected]

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

700 (Q50, V34)
680 (Q50, V31)
670 (Q49, V32)
650 (Q47, V32)

Yes, my quant is decreasing, but my verbal is also not increasing at all. I am able to understand the reason for this. It would be great if you could give me some tips as to how to work on this. Any input is really appreciated.

If you've been focusing heavily on Verbal prep and neglecting your Quant, it may partly explain the decreasing Quant performance. For Verbal, here's  someone who improved their V31 to a V40  on a retake in about 30 days. They took a bit of tutoring but mention a variety of resources.

Mandy001 · Answer

Hi,

The reason for not including those scores was that they were GMAT official mocks while these 4 are from Expert's global. To answer your questions

1) How many hours do you typically study each week?  I study approx. 20 hours each week which I will be increasing starting this week 
2) What study materials have you been using? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?  I have used Expert's global mock and course 
3) On what dates (or approximate 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)?  I take one mock every week on Saturday and most recent one was yesterday 
4) Is your overall goal score still 750?  Ideally I want more than 740, so yes, 750 is still my goal

Mandy001 · Answer

Yes, I have been focusing more on verbal and have been making quite a few silly mistakes in quants. Thanks for the link, it was really helpful

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Mandy001, I've sent you a PM with some notes and additional questions. GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made, Rich Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi Mandy001,

When reviewing these practice exams can you point to careless errors as a reason why your quant score has been decreasing?

Mandy001 · Answer

For the quant score, I am able to pinpoint that I have been making silly mistakes most of the time. My issue is that my verbal score is not improving as such.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Regarding quant, here is a great article you can check out:

Improving Your Accuracy on the GMAT

IanStewart · Answer

You really shouldn't read anything into the scores you get from prep company tests. No prep company test is using the real scoring algorithm, and prep company questions, especially in Verbal, are often of very poor quality, so it's not clear even what they're measuring. It's also really unlikely that you're getting worse after doing more practice, which is another reason to discount these test results.

The only reliable test scores are the ones from official tests, and your two official test scores suggest you're at a Q50 level, and that you've been making progress in Verbal. I wouldn't suggest taking another official test until you feel you've made some significant Verbal gains, because you don't want to use up all of the official tests too soon, and there's no reason to assess yourself every week when the only good assessment tools (the official tests) are in short supply. Good luck!

	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Mock test scores decreasing

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards