Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 21:12 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 21:12
Home
GMAT
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Rewards
Chat
My Profile
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
avatar
thompstc
avatar
Joined: 01 Apr 2016
Last visit: 04 Jul 2016
Posts: 27
Own Kudos:
3
Given Kudos: 3
GPA: 3.9
WE:Project Management (Manufacturing)
Posts: 27
Kudos: 3
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 29 Apr 2016, 11:34
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
are the official ones worth the higher price tag?

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
KyleWiddison
User avatar
Manhattan Prep Instructor
Joined: 30 Apr 2012
Last visit: 06 Jul 2016
Posts: 781
Own Kudos:
2,684
Given Kudos: 5
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 781
Kudos: 2,684
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 29 Apr 2016, 18:15
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I recommend that you use both. The MGMAT CATs are great for databasing your strengths and weaknesses so you have some guidance on how to improve yourself moving forward. The Official GMAT CATs are the best preparation for and closest approximation of the actual exam. Use the Official CATs as you get closer to test day...

KW
User avatar
dabral
User avatar
Tutor
Joined: 19 Apr 2009
Last visit: 29 Nov 2024
Posts: 557
Own Kudos:
664
 [2]
Given Kudos: 19
Affiliations: GMATQuantum
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 557
Kudos: 664
 [2]
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs Updated on: 20 Aug 2023, 17:45
Originally posted by dabral on 30 Apr 2016, 21:30.
Last edited by dabral on 20 Aug 2023, 17:45, edited 1 time in total.
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I am no longer active on this forum.
avatar
IvyLeagueBoundGurl
avatar
Joined: 22 Apr 2016
Last visit: 21 Jul 2017
Posts: 2
Given Kudos: 3
Posts: 2
Kudos: 0
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 30 Apr 2016, 22:00
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Can we still use last year's guides or is it best to get the newest ones? What is the difference?
User avatar
dabral
User avatar
Tutor
Joined: 19 Apr 2009
Last visit: 29 Nov 2024
Posts: 557
Own Kudos:
664
 [1]
Given Kudos: 19
Affiliations: GMATQuantum
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 557
Kudos: 664
 [1]
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs Updated on: 20 Aug 2023, 17:45
Originally posted by dabral on 30 Apr 2016, 22:11.
Last edited by dabral on 20 Aug 2023, 17:45, edited 1 time in total.
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
I am no longer active on this forum.
User avatar
deabas
User avatar
Joined: 18 Feb 2016
Last visit: 12 Nov 2016
Posts: 87
Own Kudos:
63
Given Kudos: 94
Posts: 87
Kudos: 63
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 05 May 2016, 15:57
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
KyleWiddison
I recommend that you use both. The MGMAT CATs are great for databasing your strengths and weaknesses so you have some guidance on how to improve yourself moving forward. The Official GMAT CATs are the best preparation for and closest approximation of the actual exam. Use the Official CATs as you get closer to test day...

KW
Show more

Totally agree with you.. doing both is the est choice
User avatar
Senthil7
User avatar
Joined: 31 Mar 2016
Last visit: 05 Mar 2017
Posts: 323
Own Kudos:
214
Given Kudos: 197
Location: India
Concentration: Operations, Finance
GMAT 1: 670 Q48 V34
GPA: 3.8
WE:Operations (Commercial Banking)
GMAT 1: 670 Q48 V34
Posts: 323
Kudos: 214
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 12 Jul 2016, 02:03
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
dabral
Yes, the official ones are worth every penny. Also, don't save them for the end. There are six of them, space them out in your study timeline. The reason is you will learn a lot of things when you take the official tests, and you need to incorporate those lessons in your study plan, and tweak things as you go along. If you take them closer to the end, it will be too late to correct the course.

Cheers,
Dabral
Show more

Hi Dabral,

That is an interesting point (highlighted portion of your comment). Would like to know more about the learning you have mentioned. Do you mean the timing strategies or even content? I presume the content itself must have been learned well before. Please guide.
User avatar
AtlanticGMAT
User avatar
Joined: 27 Jan 2013
Last visit: 17 Sep 2025
Posts: 258
Own Kudos:
644
 [3]
Given Kudos: 38
GMAT 1: 760 Q47 V48
GMAT 2: 770 Q49 V47
GMAT 3: 780 Q49 V51
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 3: 780 Q49 V51
Posts: 258
Kudos: 644
 [3]
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 14 Jul 2016, 12:54
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Hi there,

I would recommend sticking to Official GMAT materials. They are the best possible thing to work on and there is a sufficient supply of them. Most people don't need third party questions or practice tests. There are certain situations in which third party questions are helpful:

1. You've been studying for so long that you've run through the official stuff three times and so need some new questions to chew on.

2. You are really gunning for a perfect Quant score. Not a 45, 46, 47.... a 51. In that case, some extra tough GMAT club quant can be helpful.

For test scheduling, I'd recommend a test somewhere in the beginning of your prep so you can get an understanding of what you're up against. Then I'd hold off for a bit to build up some skills. In my mind, you get the most out of the practice tests a little bit down the stretch after you're well acquainted with the exam. But, leave yourself at least a month to work through the official practice tests. The GMAT prep tests have a ton of excellent questions to learn from. And, let's say that you're starting sub-500 and want to achieve 700+ you can probably mine the practice for much longer than a month.

Happy Studies,

A.
User avatar
AtlanticGMAT
User avatar
Joined: 27 Jan 2013
Last visit: 17 Sep 2025
Posts: 258
Own Kudos:
644
 [1]
Given Kudos: 38
GMAT 1: 760 Q47 V48
GMAT 2: 770 Q49 V47
GMAT 3: 780 Q49 V51
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 3: 780 Q49 V51
Posts: 258
Kudos: 644
 [1]
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 14 Jul 2016, 13:02
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Senthil7
Hi Dabral,

That is an interesting point (highlighted portion of your comment). Would like to know more about the learning you have mentioned. Do you mean the timing strategies or even content? I presume the content itself must have been learned well before. Please guide.
Show more

I'm sure Dabral will respond on his own. I assume he's getting at the fact that the practice tests are good not only for getting you in competition mode but for revealing variations in the content that you don't necessarily see in the other materials. So don't leave the practice tests for the last minute because that might not give you enough time to get the most out of the material.

A.
User avatar
mcelroytutoring
User avatar
Joined: 10 Jul 2015
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,204
Own Kudos:
2,644
 [2]
Given Kudos: 282
Status:Expert GMAT, GRE, and LSAT Tutor / Coach
Affiliations: Harvard University, A.B. with honors in Government, 2002
Location: United States (CO)
Age: 45 (10 years and counting on GMAT Club!)
GMAT 1: 770 Q47 V48
GMAT 2: 730 Q44 V47
GMAT 3: 750 Q50 V42
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 1,204
Kudos: 2,644
 [2]
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 14 Jul 2016, 13:52
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Yes, the GMATPrep tests from GMAC are worth the higher price tag. MGMAT tests are the best imitations, and do have certain advantages such as better timing and question classification information. But now that there are 6 full GMATPrep tests, I would agree with dabral and others that non-official materials are not necessary for most GMAT test-takers. Plus, the MGMAT scores are not as reliable as are scores from the GMATPrep tests, because Manhattan GMAT does not have access to the proprietary GMAC algorithm, or real test questions for that matter.

Pro tip: to get timing information on your GMATPrep tests, simply train yourself to take a screenshot at the beginning of each question. For question classification information, use the GMAT Club question forums (a simple search for the text of your question should do the trick) and browse for Tags.

Why You Should Use Only Real GMAT Questions

How to access all 1,500 questions from your Free GMATPrep Tests
User avatar
HanoiGMATtutor
User avatar
Joined: 24 Jun 2016
Last visit: 25 Sep 2019
Posts: 333
Own Kudos:
142
Given Kudos: 21
GMAT 1: 770 Q60 V60
GPA: 4
GMAT 1: 770 Q60 V60
Posts: 333
Kudos: 142
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 15 Jul 2016, 07:33
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mcelroytutoring
Yes, the GMATPrep tests from GMAC are worth the higher price tag. MGMAT tests are the best imitations, and do have certain advantages such as better timing and question classification information. But now that there are 6 full GMATPrep tests, I would agree with dabral and others that non-official materials are not necessary for most GMAT test-takers. Plus, the MGMAT scores are not as reliable as are scores from the GMATPrep tests, because Manhattan GMAT does not have access to the proprietary GMAC algorithm, or real test questions for that matter.

Pro tip: to get timing information on your GMATPrep tests, simply train yourself to take a screenshot at the beginning of each question. For question classification information, use the GMAT Club question forums (a simple search for the text of your question should do the trick) and browse for Tags.

Why You Should Use Only Real GMAT Questions

How to access all 1,500 questions from your Free GMATPrep Tests
Show more

How long does it take you to take each screenshot? Do you find it distracting to take screenshots during the exam?

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
mcelroytutoring
User avatar
Joined: 10 Jul 2015
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,204
Own Kudos:
2,644
 [1]
Given Kudos: 282
Status:Expert GMAT, GRE, and LSAT Tutor / Coach
Affiliations: Harvard University, A.B. with honors in Government, 2002
Location: United States (CO)
Age: 45 (10 years and counting on GMAT Club!)
GMAT 1: 770 Q47 V48
GMAT 2: 730 Q44 V47
GMAT 3: 750 Q50 V42
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 1,204
Kudos: 2,644
 [1]
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 15 Jul 2016, 09:26
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
HanoiGMATtutor
mcelroytutoring
Yes, the GMATPrep tests from GMAC are worth the higher price tag. MGMAT tests are the best imitations, and do have certain advantages such as better timing and question classification information. But now that there are 6 full GMATPrep tests, I would agree with dabral and others that non-official materials are not necessary for most GMAT test-takers. Plus, the MGMAT scores are not as reliable as are scores from the GMATPrep tests, because Manhattan GMAT does not have access to the proprietary GMAC algorithm, or real test questions for that matter.

Pro tip: to get timing information on your GMATPrep tests, simply train yourself to take a screenshot at the beginning of each question. For question classification information, use the GMAT Club question forums (a simple search for the text of your question should do the trick) and browse for Tags.

Why You Should Use Only Real GMAT Questions

How to access all 1,500 questions from your Free GMATPrep Tests

How long does it take you to take each screenshot? Do you find it distracting to take screenshots during the exam?

Posted from my mobile device
Show more

Taking the screenshots takes about 1 second each and is not distracting at all once you get habituated to it. For your screenshots, use either the "Print Screen" (Windows Key + PrtScn) button on a PC or (Shift + Command + 3) on a Mac. The timer in the upper-right hand corner will give you all the pacing information you need.

Here is an example:
User avatar
HanoiGMATtutor
User avatar
Joined: 24 Jun 2016
Last visit: 25 Sep 2019
Posts: 333
Own Kudos:
142
Given Kudos: 21
GMAT 1: 770 Q60 V60
GPA: 4
GMAT 1: 770 Q60 V60
Posts: 333
Kudos: 142
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 15 Jul 2016, 15:17
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mcelroytutoring
HanoiGMATtutor
mcelroytutoring
Yes, the GMATPrep tests from GMAC are worth the higher price tag. MGMAT tests are the best imitations, and do have certain advantages such as better timing and question classification information. But now that there are 6 full GMATPrep tests, I would agree with dabral and others that non-official materials are not necessary for most GMAT test-takers. Plus, the MGMAT scores are not as reliable as are scores from the GMATPrep tests, because Manhattan GMAT does not have access to the proprietary GMAC algorithm, or real test questions for that matter.

Pro tip: to get timing information on your GMATPrep tests, simply train yourself to take a screenshot at the beginning of each question. For question classification information, use the GMAT Club question forums (a simple search for the text of your question should do the trick) and browse for Tags.

Why You Should Use Only Real GMAT Questions

How to access all 1,500 questions from your Free GMATPrep Tests

How long does it take you to take each screenshot? Do you find it distracting to take screenshots during the exam?

Posted from my mobile device

Taking the screenshots takes about 1 second each and is not distracting at all once you get habituated to it. For your screenshots, use either the "Print Screen" (Windows Key + PrtScn) button on a PC or (Shift + Command + 3) on a Mac. The timer in the upper-right hand corner will give you all the pacing information you need.

Here is an example:
Show more

You don't save the screenshots? Then how are they helpful?

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
mcelroytutoring
User avatar
Joined: 10 Jul 2015
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,204
Own Kudos:
2,644
Given Kudos: 282
Status:Expert GMAT, GRE, and LSAT Tutor / Coach
Affiliations: Harvard University, A.B. with honors in Government, 2002
Location: United States (CO)
Age: 45 (10 years and counting on GMAT Club!)
GMAT 1: 770 Q47 V48
GMAT 2: 730 Q44 V47
GMAT 3: 750 Q50 V42
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 1,204
Kudos: 2,644
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 15 Jul 2016, 15:23
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
HanoiGMATtutor


You don't save the screenshots? Then how are they helpful?

Posted from my mobile device
Show more

Yes, of course I save them, but I don't actively save them, but that's because most computers will automatically save your screenshots to the folder of your choice. For example, I use a Mac, and Macs automatically save all screenshots to the Desktop by default. You can also go into your Preferences and specify a different folder if you like.
User avatar
HanoiGMATtutor
User avatar
Joined: 24 Jun 2016
Last visit: 25 Sep 2019
Posts: 333
Own Kudos:
142
Given Kudos: 21
GMAT 1: 770 Q60 V60
GPA: 4
GMAT 1: 770 Q60 V60
Posts: 333
Kudos: 142
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 15 Jul 2016, 15:39
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mcelroytutoring
HanoiGMATtutor


You don't save the screenshots? Then how are they helpful?

Posted from my mobile device

Yes, of course I save them, but I don't actively save them, but that's because most computers will automatically save your screenshots to the folder of your choice. For example, I use a Mac, and Macs automatically save all screenshots to the Desktop by default. You can also go into your Preferences and specify a different folder if you like.
Show more

Surely you have students that use Windows computers? How do they automatically save a screenshot then?

Posted from my mobile device
User avatar
mcelroytutoring
User avatar
Joined: 10 Jul 2015
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,204
Own Kudos:
2,644
 [3]
Given Kudos: 282
Status:Expert GMAT, GRE, and LSAT Tutor / Coach
Affiliations: Harvard University, A.B. with honors in Government, 2002
Location: United States (CO)
Age: 45 (10 years and counting on GMAT Club!)
GMAT 1: 770 Q47 V48
GMAT 2: 730 Q44 V47
GMAT 3: 750 Q50 V42
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 1,204
Kudos: 2,644
 [3]
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs Updated on: 16 Jul 2016, 13:57
Originally posted by mcelroytutoring on 15 Jul 2016, 15:45.
Last edited by mcelroytutoring on 16 Jul 2016, 13:57, edited 1 time in total.
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
HanoiGMATtutor


Surely you have students that use Windows computers? How do they automatically save a screenshot then?

Posted from my mobile device
Show more

It depends on what version of Windows you have. Here is what to do for Windows 10:

"The screen will dim for a moment, and you will see the screenshot appear as a file in a folder entitled “Screenshots”, inside your default “Pictures” folder. The screenshot is automatically labeled with a number."

https://www.howtogeek.com/226280/how-to- ... indows-10/

As you can read in the below link, it is true that users of older versions of Windows, such as Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, will have to use a much more work-intensive method of pasting and then saving their screenshots to a folder. However, users of Windows 8 or Windows 10 should find the process of taking (and auto-saving) screenshots to be very quick and convenient.

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-take- ... f-windows/
User avatar
SouthCity
User avatar
Joined: 29 Apr 2011
Last visit: 20 Oct 2016
Posts: 28
Own Kudos:
246
Given Kudos: 14
Posts: 28
Kudos: 246
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 16 Jul 2016, 09:02
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mcelroytutoring


"The screen will dim for a moment, and you will see the screenshot appear as a file in a folder entitled “Screenshots”, inside your default “Pictures” folder. The screenshot is automatically labeled with a number."

https://www.howtogeek.com/226280/how-to- ... indows-10/

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-take- ... f-windows/
Show more

Thank you. It works like charm. I had no idea that this short-cut exists in Windows 10. The dim is minimal and I won't pay too much attention to it. I used to copy paste in word document and that was time taking.

Thank you again mcelroytutoring
User avatar
mcelroytutoring
User avatar
Joined: 10 Jul 2015
Last visit: 15 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,204
Own Kudos:
2,644
Given Kudos: 282
Status:Expert GMAT, GRE, and LSAT Tutor / Coach
Affiliations: Harvard University, A.B. with honors in Government, 2002
Location: United States (CO)
Age: 45 (10 years and counting on GMAT Club!)
GMAT 1: 770 Q47 V48
GMAT 2: 730 Q44 V47
GMAT 3: 750 Q50 V42
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 4: 730 Q48 V42 (Online)
GRE 1: Q168 V169
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 1,204
Kudos: 2,644
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 16 Jul 2016, 13:54
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
SouthCity
mcelroytutoring


"The screen will dim for a moment, and you will see the screenshot appear as a file in a folder entitled “Screenshots”, inside your default “Pictures” folder. The screenshot is automatically labeled with a number."

https://www.howtogeek.com/226280/how-to- ... indows-10/

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-take- ... f-windows/

Thank you. It works like charm. I had no idea that this short-cut exists in Windows 10. The dim is minimal and I won't pay too much attention to it. I used to copy paste in word document and that was time taking.

Thank you again mcelroytutoring
Show more

Happy to help! Yes, the momentary screen dimming is just a visual confirmation that you have indeed taken the screenshot (and auto-saved it into your "Pictures/Screenshots" folder).

Due to the interest in this topic, I have written a thread of my own with more detailed information.
avatar
pokaser342
avatar
Joined: 05 Jul 2020
Last visit: 05 Jul 2020
Posts: 1
Posts: 1
Kudos: 0
Official GMAT Practice CATs vs. MGMAT CATs 05 Jul 2020, 02:29
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
screenshots could be exported in a form of structured document to 8 most popular formats: PDF, Video, Word, Images, WordPress, HTML, PowerPoint, and Cloud
Moderator:
MBAACCOUNT2025
General GMAT Forum Moderator
444 posts