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kyloxylo
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No consistency in the pre-test results (+100 in 5 days). What next? Updated on: 17 Dec 2019, 13:29
Originally posted by kyloxylo on 17 Dec 2019, 07:31.
Last edited by bb on 17 Dec 2019, 13:29, edited 2 times in total.
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Hi guys!
My test day is coming soon now. I fixed the date after reaching 660 in the pre-test (660 is my minimum goal).
However, I did another test recently and I got still lower score despite that I was studying a lot following my error log.

So my scores look like this:

Day: 1 - 580 Q40 (41%) V31 (62%) - MGMAT
Day: 9 - 520 Q36 (31%) V25 (39%) - Economist
Day: 14 - 660 Q40 (47%) V40 (90%) - Kaplan
Day: 17 - 570 Q40 (39%) V29 (56%) - Veritas

Question is - what can I actually expect on the official exam? Is Kaplan overrating the test-takers or is it my real score but I was not fully focused during the other mocks?
Anyone had similar big differences in the pre-test scores?
Also, should I focus on the Verbal to keep the high score there, or should I put more effort into elevating the Quant as there was no improvement over two weeks at al?
What do you think?
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GMAT 2: 760 Q50 V42
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No consistency in the pre-test results (+100 in 5 days). What next? 17 Dec 2019, 08:58
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You are comparing 4 scores from 4 different third-party sources. Personally I do not think they can be comparable in this manner.

The best mock test is from the test provider itself.

Also, I do not think one can expect to see meaningful score improvement after one week's of preparation.
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No consistency in the pre-test results (+100 in 5 days). What next? 17 Dec 2019, 09:23
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kyloxylo
Hi guys!
My test day is coming soon now. I fixed the date after reaching 660 in the pre-test (660 is my minimum goal).
However, I did another test recently and I got still lower score despite that I was studying a lot following my error log.

So my scores look like this:

Day: 1 - 580 Q40 (41%) V31 (62%) - Manhattan
Day: 9 - 520 Q36 (31%) V25 (39%) - Economist
Day: 14 - 660 Q40 (47%) V40 (90%) - Kaplan
Day: 17 - 570 Q40 (39%) V29 (56%) - Veritas

Question is - what can I actually expect on the official exam? Is Kaplan overrating the test-takers or is it my real score but I was not fully focused during the other mocks?
Anyone had similar big differences in the pre-test scores?
Also, should I focus on the Verbal to keep the high score there, or should I put more effort into elevating the Quant as there was no improvement over two weeks at al?
What do you think?
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Take a mock test from gmatprep. gmatprep's mock test score could be the replica of your real gmat score!
It is impossible to increase your score within a very short period of time.
Thanks__
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No consistency in the pre-test results (+100 in 5 days). What next? 17 Dec 2019, 10:39
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Hi kyloxylo,

Have you taken any official GMAC practice exams?
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No consistency in the pre-test results (+100 in 5 days). What next? Updated on: 30 Dec 2019, 11:58
Originally posted by kyloxylo on 17 Dec 2019, 10:45.
Last edited by kyloxylo on 30 Dec 2019, 11:58, edited 1 time in total.
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zhanbo
Also, I do not think one can expect to see meaningful score improvement after one week's of preparation.
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Asad
It is impossible to increase your score within a very short period of time.
Show more
I will take the official GMAT Prep test in a few days, you're both right. But I'm worried about your pessimism about progress in a short period of time.
Assuming that 520 was just an accident, my average is around 600. Isn't it possible to top it up to 660 in those 2,5 weeks? (I'm taking GMAT at the end of December).
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No consistency in the pre-test results (+100 in 5 days). What next? 17 Dec 2019, 13:13
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Hi kyloxylo,

Statistically-speaking, your 660/V40 is an 'outlier', so we might need to be a bit suspicious of that one result (especially since your 4th CAT result is so similar to your 1st CAT result). Based on your other CAT results, it's more likely that your current 'ability level' is in the high-500s.

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? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far?

Goals:
3) To confirm, is your Official GMAT in 5 days?
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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No consistency in the pre-test results (+100 in 5 days). What next? Updated on: 30 Dec 2019, 11:58
Originally posted by kyloxylo on 17 Dec 2019, 13:24.
Last edited by kyloxylo on 30 Dec 2019, 11:58, edited 1 time in total.
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Hey Rich, thanks for asking.

Studies:
1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
Before the first CAT it was around 6 weeks, with average of 12 hours per week. So I'm getting close to 90 hours in total now.
2) What study materials have you used so far?
I bought the Kaplan book so I went through the book and after that - I started to take the mock tests.

Goals:
3) To confirm, is your Official GMAT in 5 days?
It's the end of December, so I have around 2 weeks left.
4) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
I won't be able to study in January and February so I need to pass the exam now, so I'll be able to apply to schools in mid-Feb.
5) What Schools are you planning to apply to?
Low-budget schools in Europe. Some of them have 550 as minimum and 600 recommended, some 600 minimum and 660 recommended.

I'm planning to dig down into the example questions and study day by day hoping for 660 at the end - I guess there aren't many other solutions at this point.
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No consistency in the pre-test results (+100 in 5 days). What next? 17 Dec 2019, 13:56
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Hi kyloxylo,

Assuming that you took your CATs in a realistic fashion that matches what you will face when you take the Official GMAT, I think that you have a reasonable chance to score in the low-600s (based on your remaining study time). It's important to realize that to hit that type of Score, you do NOT need to correctly answer ANY questions that you think are too hard or too weird, but you have to keep the little mistakes to a minimum on everything else on the GMAT. Raising a 570 to the point that you can consistently score 660+ would likely require at least another 2 months of consistent, guided study though - and you would have to make significant improvements to how you handle BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections. Thankfully, the GMAT is a consistent, predictable Exam, so you CAN train to score at a higher level.

You have the potential to pick up some serious points in BOTH the Quant and Verbal sections, but you don't have enough time to greatly improve in all of the areas of both sections, so you might find it useful to focus on a couple of high-point categories (in one or both of those sections) with the remaining time that you have.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
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No consistency in the pre-test results (+100 in 5 days). What next? 22 Dec 2019, 08:40
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kyloxylo
zhanbo
Also, I do not think one can expect to see meaningful score improvement after one week's of preparation.
Asad
It is impossible to increase your score within a very short period of time.
I will take the official GMAT Prep test in a few days, you're both right. But I'm worried about your pessimism about progress in a short period of time.
Assuming that 520 was just an accident, my average is around 600. Isn't it possible to top it up to 660 in those 2,5 weeks? (I'm taking GMAT at the beginning of January).
Show more
Did you take official mock by this time? If yes, could you share your score with split, please? If your official mock score is closed to 630, there is a chance to get 660 by your expected date. But, it still totally depends on exam day.
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No consistency in the pre-test results (+100 in 5 days). What next? 22 Dec 2019, 08:59
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Hi! Yes!

I got 610 (Q42 V33).
My personal goal is to reach Q43 and V38.

What's worth to underline:
• I was super nervous as I knew this is kinda the official try, my hands were shaky and my heartbeat was raging (too much coffee)
• For the first time, I kinda lost the pacing ability on the Verbal, which ended with rushing through the last 7 questions (I had around 1:30 per question and then the Reading Comprehension appeared ). I've made a few stupid mistakes there so I believe slightly better pacing might do the trick.
• I had six consecutive mistakes in Quant section in the middle (13-18) as I realized I'm falling behind the time.

My strategy for now:
-> I'm studying from Kaplan 800 (book from 2009) which covers more difficult topics of the verbal section. I still believe I can do better than V33.
-> I'm also practicing my mental maths skills and medium quant questions daily, as I usually make mistakes on some obvious math problems.

I'll do 2 more tests when after I finish the Kaplan 800 book: Experts' Global and then one more GMAT Prep.

What do you think about this strategy?
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No consistency in the pre-test results (+100 in 5 days). What next? 22 Dec 2019, 09:27
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kyloxylo
Hi! Yes!

I got 610 (Q42 V33).
My personal goal is to reach Q43 and V38.

What's worth to underline:
• I was super nervous as I knew this is kinda the official try, my hands were shaky and my heartbeat was raging (too much coffee)
• For the first time, I kinda lost the pacing ability on the Verbal, which ended with rushing through the last 7 questions (I had around 1:30 per question and then the Reading Comprehension appeared ). I've made a few stupid mistakes there so I believe slightly better pacing might do the trick.
• I had six consecutive mistakes in Quant section in the middle (13-18) as I realized I'm falling behind the time.

My strategy for now:
-> I'm studying from Kaplan 800 (book from 2009) which covers more difficult topics of the verbal section. I still believe I can do better than V33.
-> I'm also practicing my mental maths skills and medium quant questions daily, as I usually make mistakes on some obvious math problems.

I'll do 2 more tests when after I finish the Kaplan 800 book: Experts' Global and then one more GMAT Prep.

What do you think about this strategy?
Show more
The time is very precious to right now. Just stick with official materials. Try to understand why right answers are right and why wrong answers are wrong. Try to understand how the answer options are made for every sections questions (e.g., try to have a feelings how answer options of 'weaken questions' are made).
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No consistency in the pre-test results (+100 in 5 days). What next? 23 Dec 2019, 05:56
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Thank you Asad.

As Official GMAT Prep tests lacks detailed explanations for the questions, I decided to hit one more Experts' Global for more questions that I can analyze, and I hit.. 670, with Q47 and V34.

I mean.. It's the first time ever when I hit a score of Q higher thatn V.
I guess I can not rely anymore on any of those scores.
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No consistency in the pre-test results (+100 in 5 days). What next? 23 Dec 2019, 08:30
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kyloxylo
Thank you Asad.

As Official GMAT Prep tests lacks detailed explanations for the questions, I decided to hit one more Experts' Global for more questions that I can analyze, and I hit.. 670, with Q47 and V34.

I mean.. It's the first time ever when I hit a score of Q higher thatn V.
I guess I can not rely anymore on any of those scores.
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