Official Mock 320, MGMAT CAT 530 - Confused with the score d

Question

Hi All,

Need a suggestion as I am confused of the outcome.

1) My first mock was one of the free official GMAT exam.Got a dismal 320. I studied for few months understanding the concepts and strategies, but during the mock exam everything got messed up.Bad time management and panic got the better of me and I screwed up.

2) After a week of analysis and preparation I gave the mgmat free CAT exam and scored 530.Not satisfied with the way I answered the questions (strategy+guess). Made sure that I answer all the questions.

Are the mgmat cat tests accurate?? How should I perceive this score difference??

Posted from my mobile device

kiran120680 · Answer

MGMAT is one of the most accurate CAT exam. However, there would be 10-20 points of variation in each section.

m1033512 · Answer

Although no gmat mock is closer to real one but MGMAT has good reputation amd good reviews for GMAT mocks on GMAT Club .

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adizephyr · Answer

Thanks to both of you. Should I take this as an improvement or this is something delusional??

Official Mock score - Q18, V13

MGMAT CAT Score - Q34, V28

I need to know if this score jump is trustworthy and confidence booster??

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m1033512 · Answer

would be really helpful to analyze both the exams and find im which topics you scored poor in official exam and in MGMAT.

This analysis will help to pin point weak areas and you can work to improve ..

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EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi adizephyr,

The scoring algorithm on the Official GMAT is far more complicated than most people realize. Since that algorithm is proprietary, no GMAT company has an exact match for it, thus CAT scores can vary a bit based on the 'biases' involved in their respective designs. The most realistic CATs available are the 6 from GMAC (the 2 free CATs, and each of the 2 that come with Exam Pack 1 and Exam Pack 2), but the CATs from Kaplan, MGMAT and Veritas are all 'close enough' to the real thing that they will provide you with a relatively realistic score assessment (assuming that you correctly take the CAT in a realistic fashion).

Since you are concerned about the accuracy of this recent result, then we should start with some of the more common, potential issues: had you seen any of the questions BEFORE (for example, on a prior CAT or in the forums here)? Did you do anything unrealistic when you took the CAT, such as pause the Exam, use a calculator, etc.?

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 in total? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far?
3) Are these the only 2 CATs/mocks that you've taken? If there were others, then how did you score on those CATs?

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

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

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

You ask a great question. Certainly, when you take practice tests from companies other than GMAC, you may find some variation in algorithms used and thus variations in your score. Why don’t you take another GMAC practice exam, so you can get an apples-to-apples comparison to your first practice exam? Also, what is your score goal?

adizephyr · Answer

I intend to take another official mock in a couple of days.Currently struggling with time bound medium level CR questions.

My target score is between 700 - 720. Thanks Posted from my mobile device

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Gotcha. Well, reach back out once you take your next practice exam. If you need any further advice, feel free to let me know.

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Official Mock 320, MGMAT CAT 530 - Confused with the score d

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