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capitalist96
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Subject: Help! Major Score Drop Between Official GMAT Mocks and Actual 13 Nov 2024, 18:13
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Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out because I'm really puzzled by the difference between my scores on the official GMAT mocks versus my actual GMAT results. I’ve taken the official GMAT exam twice now and unfortunately received much lower scores than what I consistently achieved on the mocks, even though the difficulty level felt very similar between the two.

Here’s a breakdown of my mock vs. actual results:

- **Mocks**: My verbal scores generally ranged between the 70-99 percentile, DI between 70-90 percentile, and quant between 50-70 percentile.
- **Actual Exam**: My verbal dropped to 65-70 percentile, quant went down to 40-60 percentile, and DI consistently stayed around the 40 percentile.

This drop is really discouraging, as I had felt well-prepared based on my mock scores, and the actual exam experience felt pretty similar in terms of difficulty. Despite feeling comfortable during the mocks and the exam itself, the actual results don’t reflect my preparation or mock performance.

Has anyone else experienced this kind of discrepancy? Could there be any factors I’m overlooking that might explain the drop in my actual scores? I’m still determined to improve and am planning to take the GMAT again, but I’d really appreciate any insights or advice on how to close this gap between my mock and actual performance.

Thanks in advance!
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AjiteshArun
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GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q83 V90 DI83
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Subject: Help! Major Score Drop Between Official GMAT Mocks and Actual 13 Nov 2024, 21:35
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capitalist96
Has anyone else experienced this kind of discrepancy? Could there be any factors I’m overlooking that might explain the drop in my actual scores? I’m still determined to improve and am planning to take the GMAT again, but I’d really appreciate any insights or advice on how to close this gap between my mock and actual performance.
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Hi capitalist96,

You mentioned that your verbal scores fluctuated between 99% (V88-89) and 70% (V81-82). Did you see this on your most recent practice tests too?
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Subject: Help! Major Score Drop Between Official GMAT Mocks and Actual 13 Nov 2024, 21:41
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Hi Arun,

Thanks so much for replying. Yes, I did. My verbal scores has always been high on the mocks

AjiteshArun
capitalist96
Has anyone else experienced this kind of discrepancy? Could there be any factors I’m overlooking that might explain the drop in my actual scores? I’m still determined to improve and am planning to take the GMAT again, but I’d really appreciate any insights or advice on how to close this gap between my mock and actual performance.
Hi capitalist96,

You mentioned that your verbal scores fluctuated between 99% (V88-89) and 70% (V81-82). Did you see this on your most recent practice tests too?
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Subject: Help! Major Score Drop Between Official GMAT Mocks and Actual 14 Nov 2024, 04:52
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capitalist96
Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out because I'm really puzzled by the difference between my scores on the official GMAT mocks versus my actual GMAT results. I’ve taken the official GMAT exam twice now and unfortunately received much lower scores than what I consistently achieved on the mocks, even though the difficulty level felt very similar between the two.

Here’s a breakdown of my mock vs. actual results:

- **Mocks**: My verbal scores generally ranged between the 70-99 percentile, DI between 70-90 percentile, and quant between 50-70 percentile.
- **Actual Exam**: My verbal dropped to 65-70 percentile, quant went down to 40-60 percentile, and DI consistently stayed around the 40 percentile.

This drop is really discouraging, as I had felt well-prepared based on my mock scores, and the actual exam experience felt pretty similar in terms of difficulty. Despite feeling comfortable during the mocks and the exam itself, the actual results don’t reflect my preparation or mock performance.

Has anyone else experienced this kind of discrepancy? Could there be any factors I’m overlooking that might explain the drop in my actual scores? I’m still determined to improve and am planning to take the GMAT again, but I’d really appreciate any insights or advice on how to close this gap between my mock and actual performance.

Thanks in advance!
Show more

How many mocks have you taken? Have you taken mock 4- 6 too? Were the scores similar in those? The reason I ask is that most people studying for GMAT through online resources would be fairly familiar with Mocks 1 and 2. The questions and their lookalikes appear in plenty. Mocks 4 -6 will have a bit more novelty value.

If you did take mocks 4 - 6 and scored much higher scores, then certainly the drop is uncalled for, especially considering you were comfortable in the actual test. What does your score report say?
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Subject: Help! Major Score Drop Between Official GMAT Mocks and Actual 14 Nov 2024, 18:54
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Hi Karishma,

Thanks so much for replying. Yes, you're right, my performances in mocks 1 and 2 were significantly higher than 3-6 (see below).

I felt very confident that I knew all the concepts in Q, V, and DI very well already (I finished the TTP course), which is why I chose not to learn new materials/strategies for the past 2 months, and just focused on purely doing practice questions and mock exams.

I would appreciate any suggestions you have for my case. I'm not in a rush to retake the GMAT, but am committed to taking it again in the future. I'm targeting a 645.


QuestionScoreQ (Score)V (Percentile)DI (Percentile)Percentile
Actual Test 1 (Classic)64033%81%63%61%
Practice Test (Focus) 1A55529%51%79%53%
Practice Test (Focus) 260546%79%90%75%
Practice Test (Focus) 359552%70%79%72%
Practice Test (Focus) 460546%96%73%75%
Practice Test (Focus) 1B66581%96%90%94%
Practice Test (Focus) 2B65576%91%94%93%
Actual Test 1 (Focus)56557%67%42%52%
Practice Test (Focus) 3B61552%91%86%80%
Practice Test (Focus) 457552%79%58%62%
Practice Test (Focus) 559546%96%58%72%
Practice Test (Focus) 454546%60%45%47%
Practice Test (Focus) 5B60559%91%66%75%
Practice Test (Focus) 167566%100%90%96%
Practice Test (Focus) 159559%60%86%72%
Practice Test (Focus) 264581%96%66%89%
Actual Test 2 (Focus)54537%67%42%43%
KarishmaB
capitalist96
Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out because I'm really puzzled by the difference between my scores on the official GMAT mocks versus my actual GMAT results. I’ve taken the official GMAT exam twice now and unfortunately received much lower scores than what I consistently achieved on the mocks, even though the difficulty level felt very similar between the two.

Here’s a breakdown of my mock vs. actual results:

- **Mocks**: My verbal scores generally ranged between the 70-99 percentile, DI between 70-90 percentile, and quant between 50-70 percentile.
- **Actual Exam**: My verbal dropped to 65-70 percentile, quant went down to 40-60 percentile, and DI consistently stayed around the 40 percentile.

This drop is really discouraging, as I had felt well-prepared based on my mock scores, and the actual exam experience felt pretty similar in terms of difficulty. Despite feeling comfortable during the mocks and the exam itself, the actual results don’t reflect my preparation or mock performance.

Has anyone else experienced this kind of discrepancy? Could there be any factors I’m overlooking that might explain the drop in my actual scores? I’m still determined to improve and am planning to take the GMAT again, but I’d really appreciate any insights or advice on how to close this gap between my mock and actual performance.

Thanks in advance!

How many mocks have you taken? Have you taken mock 4- 6 too? Were the scores similar in those? The reason I ask is that most people studying for GMAT through online resources would be fairly familiar with Mocks 1 and 2. The questions and their lookalikes appear in plenty. Mocks 4 -6 will have a bit more novelty value.

If you did take mocks 4 - 6 and scored much higher scores, then certainly the drop is uncalled for, especially considering you were comfortable in the actual test. What does your score report say?
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AjiteshArun
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GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q83 V90 DI83
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GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q83 V90 DI83
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Subject: Help! Major Score Drop Between Official GMAT Mocks and Actual 14 Nov 2024, 21:54
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Hi Arun,

Thanks so much for replying. Yes, I did. My verbal scores has always been high on the mocks
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I see. That makes it much harder to explain the drops. :)

I'm again focusing on the verbal here (I understand that Q/DI are probably more important for you), but were you really good at SC? I ask because your verbal score fell from 81% (old GMAT) to 67% (2 x new GMAT). And were there any differences in how you prepped?

For what it's worth, I believe you're capable of getting a significantly better score than what you ended up with.
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Subject: Help! Major Score Drop Between Official GMAT Mocks and Actual 15 Nov 2024, 08:09
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Hi capitalist96,

Based on your description and the score breakdowns of your practice exams, it’s clear you have the potential to score higher on the GMAT. It doesn’t seem like content knowledge is an issue for you, so it’s possible that test-day nerves or an off day impacted your performance. If you decide to retake the GMAT, focusing on reducing any pressure you may have placed on yourself could help you perform at your true ability level. Feel free to keep us updated and reach out with any questions—we’re here to help!