Percentiles lower...now or in some tests?

Question

Hi
I notice that some of the %numbers in recent tests I took 17/18 and got ~30/31.
But my %ile is still low at 81%. Previously I noticed that this score would get me closer to
90%ile in earlier tests.

Is this
a.) Test specific?
b.) Are scores based only on first time takers? (else it really skews the results and should really go by the right/wrong than %ile).

Anyways they are good practice..

bb · Answer

The percentiles depend on the actual test, so you are compared to the test takers of that particular test set only.
And yes, only the first attempt percentiles are taken into consideration.

However another element that jumps in is the recent update of percentile tables to include results from the previous year of test takers to get the percentiles up to speed with the latest prep cycle. (Instead of dynamically adjusting percentiles every time, instead we fix them for a year and then adjust them later - my guess is that GMAC uses a similar strategy to avoid scores jumping up and down during the same application season.)

nitya34 · Answer

Taken First 2 Tests and I will highly recommend them. One Q: i have ============== Test Correct % Correct time Percentile m01 22 37 59.5% 2m 00s 12024 26.4% m02 25 37 67.6% 0m 32s 3281 28.0% v06 8 11 72.7% 2m 26s 14657 47.0% =================== Even with 25/37, I am getting 28% That means I am just average

when i consider among the pool of brilliant test takers? Btw, I got Q48 easily in actual GMAT and used to get 47-50 in GPrep. How good this Percentile indicator is? shd i aim for 31/37 in every Tests.thanks in advance..pls give some feedback I find some Qs tougher than the actual exam but since some of them are from algebra section, I nailed them easily overall--its a great great experience

icandy · Answer

nitya34,

I suggest not to read much into the percentiles. Do as many as you can. I am not able to complete all 37 in 75 minutes. I dont know whether I am the only one or I have more company. By the time I get to 33, time runs out. Some of the Q's are ridiculously tricky, landmines all over the Q. Even though I get them wrong, I am feeling good that these landmines will keep me awake during the exam and the landmines I will see on the actual test will pale away in comparison.

To get a better feel of your range, try GMAT focus.

But if you already took the test and scored 48, I think you are good and improvement is going to come only via hard work.

nitya34 · Answer

Thanks icandy. Appreciate yr words. Yes I am confident of Q 47 and above
Never scored below that in GMATPrep S/w.(Also in Real Test)
Need to improve in number ,Set, Modulus, probability
These Tests are helping me in few things
-time mgmt
-Finding the Tricks easily.
-I need to correct 30/37. Thats my target m04 onwards

Percentiles lower...now or in some tests?

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