Test Insecurities - anyone else feel this way?

Question

So I've been studying for a few weeks and the last 5 practice tests I've taken I've scored in the 710-750 range, with 760 on my first GMATPrep test. However, I keep thinking I'm getting "lucky" on these. My quant score has improved from around Q41 to Q47 with one Q50, but I really don't know what concepts I've grasped. It seems like for the questions I've gotten right, it came down to "thinking logically" and solving a problem. And I keep thinking if they changed it a certain way I wouldn't be sure I'd get it right.

This worries me because I feel like I can suddenly go from getting most of the questions right to getting most of them wrong. Anyone else feel this way? What to do when I see improvement but not sure how? My scores in both Q and V have been relatively consistent: Quant around 47, V around 44, but it each time I feel I "think-ed" my way out of a problems and didn't really grasp any fundamental concepts.

bb · Answer

This is very natural. In fact a person who scores 500 and 750 will feel the same at the end of the test. Thanks to the adaptive nature of the test, you will never feel comfortable with it. the test keeps challenging you and I felt the exact same way. I thought i would get a 650 and was amazed to see a 750 score since I was uncertain of almost all of my answers and felt I was failing every single time. Nature of the beast. You are doing very well based on your practice tests - I think it is time to go into the battle.

CharmWithSubstance · Answer

Thanks bb. I agree with you that I don't think GMAT will really put anyone in a comfort zone, but if practice test scores are able to surprise me, perhaps the actual test score will too!

strikethree · Answer

Happens all the time for me. That's the thing about tests like these, even if you have a sound grasp of the material, you can get unlucky at times and overlook a mistake. It's hard to be prepared for everything they throw at you. A lot of times it's just about getting the right questions.

I remember when I was just devastated by my first time SAT of 2000. I retook and got a 2250. (Didn't study so it wasn't like I tried harder or anything.)

The best part is that they let you retake these things (although the exam prices are a bit pricey); the trick is getting the better score the second time around...

LetsGoMets · Answer

Completely agree with bb. I was stunned to see 780 when I tested. I had no idea if I was doing well on the verbal section. The test is designed to play with your mind. If you think you're getting easier questions, it either means that your skills are stronger than what the test is giving you, or it means you F'd something up earlier. And you never know which is it. I'll always think my verbal score was a fluke.

bb · Answer

I hope so too - it surprised me, but please please please do not go to the test overconfident. Fight for every single question, check your answers (something we often do not do as we are lazy) - this means spending additional 5-10 seconds per question at the end, just re-reading the question to make sure you answered the question and that your answer is within the ballpark - this helped me to avoid 2 mistakes on my own gmat and pretty much freaked me out (talk about being paranoid). The entire test I felt that i was failing down a very deep hole and had no idea at all as to what I was doing right or wrong. It is a trip. Good luck - please do post your debrief and let me know if any questions :wink:

gurpreetsingh · Answer

we need party !!! 770-q-50-v46-detailed-debrief-94193.html

nonameee · Answer

I think the reason you feel this way is because the material you have to cover is rather big and the number of problems you've solved so far is considerably less. To make a paralell: imagine you are in a new house. After a few weeks you get a feeling that you know the house well but you are still not sure. After living in it for 10 years you finally can say that you know it inside out.

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Test Insecurities - anyone else feel this way?

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