Stuck after attempting GMAT Prep Exam Pack 1 test

Hi there! Following are the answers to the queries you've asked:-

1) I have taken CATs of official GMAT Prep software. Before I started preparing for the exam I gave a mock (one of the two free CATs available on GMAT Prep) and scored a 600 Q47 and V26. After two months of preparation I gave the second free CAT and scored 730 Q49 and V40. I will be honest that in this test I encountered many questions I had already attempted. Then I bought Exam Pack 1 and 2 and I yesterday gave 1st exam of Exam Pack 1 and I scored a 760 Q50 and V42 and to be very honest in verbal section almost 55% - 60% questions were the ones that I had already attempted.

2) I've given three CATs- 2 free CATs of GMAT Prep and 1st exam of Exam Pack 1 and in all of them I've encountered questions I've already attempted (the most number of questions in Verbal section of 1st exam of exam pack 1).

3) I haven't scored really well in my past academics so for a "consideration-worthy" application I need 740+.

4) I have to appear for the exam on 23rd September, 2016 that is coming Friday.

Hi sudhirgupta93,

Since you have seen repeated verbal questions on your last few practice exams, you may consider purchasing exam pack two and taking one of those exams to get an up-to-date GMAT score. If you score near your goal of 740+, you should be pretty set for your real exam. However, if you do not score near your goal, you may consider scheduling your GMAT for a later date.

Once you take another official practice exam, report back with your score breakdown, and I’d be happy to provide some further advice.

Here’s a great article that has some strategies you should follow the week leading up to your GMAT.

Good luck!

Hi Jeff!

I gave another CAT today and my score came crashing down to 680 Q50 V31. I'm doing okay on my quant I guess but my verbal performance today was a surprise even for myself. I got 12 questions wrong and scored 31 on verbal however I have scored V41 with 11 questions wrong. This disparity has set an alarm for me. What can I do for verbal now?

Hi sudhirgupta93,

From what you've described, it sounds like almost all of your CAT scores include 'inflated' Verbal results (since there were so many 'repeat' questions that you already knew the answers to). This recent score (with the V31), might be the one accurate measure that you have - and we can't assume that those other score results are accurate. While your Quant scores seem consistently strong, you would have to make some significant improvements to raise a V31 up to a high enough level to hit 740+ on Test Day. Unfortunately, with less than a week to go, that might be too difficult a task to be considered a realistic goal.

Since it's now less than 7 days until your Exam, you should plan to take the GMAT on Friday as planned.

1) After reviewing the V31, what types of questions were you having the most difficulty with?
2) If you don't score 740+ on Friday, how will your plans change?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
4) What Schools are you planning to apply to?

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

Hi! Thanks for your response.

1) I think I mostly have problem with SC and CR, with more issues in SC. I think I'm performing okay on RC.

2) My target is 740+ but if I get around 720 also I will get my profile evaluated first. If a score of around 720 is not good enough given the other aspects of my application then I will give a second attempt. If I score below 710-700 then I will definitely give a second attempt.

3) I'm planning to apply in second round in this year only.

4) I want to go to a good B school in US. Everyone hopes for the best but I would target the schools that seem fit as per my GMAT score and my profile evaluation.