Manhattan Prep test 1 590? what to do.

Question

Hello,

I took some free tests and scores were: 
640- (q50, V29) (Feb end)
680 (Q50, V34) (middle of march)

Then i bought Manhattan prep tests. yesterday i took one and score was 590. that too after some 1 week of further studies.
590 (q44, V28) 24 march

That quant section was extremely lengthy. couldn't go faster. and result was, last 15-17 question i was guessing.
Verbal section, speed was OK and only had to guess last 2-3 questions.

So now Question is 'IS Manhattan Prep so difficult?' I have read articles where people have score around 80-90 more than what the scored in these practice tests.

I am targeting 720-740. before taking test was thinking to take GMAT in first week of may. now I am doubtful. Shall i still wait to take one more test and then decide.?

I have still not taken the 2 free GMATprep tests, planning to take that next week middle.

Kindly give comments and ideas.

samusa · Answer

MGMAT CAT quant. is hard for most of us.However, they are the best ones for practice besides the official GMAC ones.
Do not feel let down with your score .Use only official tests -exampack1 and exampack2 -scores as true scores.
Do not keep the official tests for last few days.
But do use MGMAT CATs to identify your weak areas.You will be surprised to find how you could have scored higher on MGMAT CATs if you had cut down your silly mistakes.

nurik · Answer

from my experience, the only reliable mock tests are the ones at gmatprep. The rest tend to over or under-score your performance.
I wouldn't look too deep into the results of Manhattan prep test.

CABBA · Answer

Personally I found the Manhattan GMAT CATS more difficult (quant & IR especially) than the GMAT Prep tests and even the real GMAT. In my opinion, I'd say use the Manhattan CATs to practice your skills and techniques, but use the GMAT Prep tests to get a better idea of where your scoring ability is. 
This is my opinion, actual results may vary.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

However, the prep companies try to mock the CATs as much as possible, still the best way to understand your current position is to take a GMAT Prep CAT.
You should take the CAT as soon as possible and then work on the results that you have obtained from the test.
You can buy 4 additional tests from mba.com in the from of Exam Pack 1 and 2.

You need close to 3 months to prepare well for the GMAT.

1. Understand the concepts and fundamentals before jumping into problem solving
2. Solve full length CATs including AWA and IR. You can get two free GMAT Prep mock CATs and can purchase two more from mba.com
3. Make sure you solve the official questions from the Official Guide

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Prabhuiitr09,

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.

Have you had a chance to do a full review of this recent CAT? While no 3rd party CATs are a perfect match for the Official GMAT, a number of them are 'close enough' to give you a reasonably accurate score - ASSUMING that you use the CAT correctly. We're also meant to assume that you took your CATs under identical circumstances AND that those circumstances are a relative match for what you'll face on Test Day. The more the details vary from one CAT to the next (and on to Test Day itself), the more likely that there will be 'swings' in your scores.

1) Did you take the FULL CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) After reviewing this CAT, how many questions did you get wrong that you COULD/SHOULD have gotten correct? The little mistakes that you made on those questions play a big role in accounting for the score drop that you experienced.
3) What practice materials have you been using?

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

prabhakar09 · Answer

Thanks a lot guys. This gives me some hope. I will post again when i take another test.

prabhakar09 · Answer

Some more update on the practice tests.

I took last test at the exact time i would take the real GMAT. and in full. with proper breaks. and no disturbance (almost).
11-04: GMAT prep test 1:- 600/Q48/V25.
17-04: MGAT test 3:- 580/Q42/V28
So basically no improvement.

I haven't booked the test date yet. Do you think its possible to improve to 700 level in 4 weeks time. Should i take a proper course as self study didn't give any improvement in last 3 weeks.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Prabhuiitr09,

These scores are so close that they're essentially the same performance. You do certain things consistently well, but you make the same consistent mistakes. This implies that you've developed some 'bad habits' that will take time to 'fix' (and replace with new 'good habits'). You're likely going to need at least 2 more months of consistent, guided study to hit your score goals. Before I can offer you the specific advice that you're looking for, I'll need to know a bit more about your studies so far:

1) Did you take the FULL CAT each time (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) After reviewing each of these CATs, how many questions did you get wrong that you COULD/SHOULD have gotten correct? The little mistakes that you made on those questions play a big role in accounting for the score drop that you experienced.
3) What practice materials have you been using?

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

HiLine · Answer

Your math is probably fine, but the verbal portion needs significant improvement. In verbal, what types of questions do you tend to get wrong?

prabhakar09 · Answer

Thanks Rich,

To answer your questions.
1. I tool the cats in full. I will take one more GAMT prep this sunday. will post the results.
2. I would say about 5-6 (each) questions are wrong which should have been correct. Also last 3-4 questions are blind guessed. to finish in time. i had crossed time limit in second MGMAT. 
3. I had been using self study so far. from Princetonreview, time study material and OG. after the first MGMAT test in march i shifted to online studying with videos guides and attended some webinars aswell. They seemed to be working. i was more confident. but not on paper.

My reason for targeting test in may end was 
1. to give time to prepare applications
2. also give back-up time in case re-do is needed.

Saurabh

prabhakar09 · Answer

hi, my thought exactly.

But the weakest link is very shifty.
in first test i got 17% correct in RC. 
in second it was 50% but CR dropped form 53% to 29%
in third test CR came back to 50% but RC was at 33%.

BR,
Saurabh

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Prabhuiitr09,

Given your overall score goal, you're going to have to perform at a high level in the Verbal section (and you'll have to perform consistently). From your CAT results, you're currently not accomplishing either of those goals, so you should consider pushing back your Test Date so that you can continue to study.

1) What practice materials have you been using?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

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

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi prabhakar09, You have been essentially getting the same range of scores in Verbal, I would suggest you to go back to your books/course and revisit the lessons. Since you have been studying for long and not seeing any improvement, it might be a good reason to change your mode of studying. You need to build the concepts/fundamentals before you jump in solving the problems. You can do so by choosing one of the following ways: 1. In person classes/private tutoring 2. Online classes 3. Self paced online preparatory course 4. Book heavy approach GMAT tests you on some concepts and fundamentals that you can learn from a course. Most of the preparatory companies including ours offer a free trial of our course. You can take the trial and see if the course suits your needs. You can get a free trial hour with our tutor here: https://www.optimus-prep.com/request-fre ... rial-hour/ I would recommend you to postpone your test by a month. Even after postponing the test, you will have plenty of time to prepare your applicaitons. Most of the preparatory courses come with a free trial. You can use the trial period and see if the course suits your needs. For improving the Verbal section, you need to drill down deep and understand the root cause of the problems: SC: The questions test various concepts such as S-V agreement, modifiers, parallelism etc. Find out what troubles you. CR: There might be certain types of questions that are troubling you. May be Assumption, may be conclusion, inference etc. You need to find that out and then practice them RC: This again can be drilled down into different types of questions and also different topics. See what questions and topics trouble you the most and then practice accordingly. As an addition, start preparing an error log and keep a note of all the mistakes you made and the lessons you learnt from the problems. This will ensure you do not make the same mistake again.

prabhakar09 · Answer

Hi Jenielle

I agree you and others 
1. postponing the test. 
2. And start working on basics

This error log, I have to start working on that as well.

Thank you.

prabhakar09 · Answer

Hi Rich.

Thanks. I agree with pushing back the date. And restart the Study train.

1. Now i am using online course materials. before i was basically on books only. I will try some free sample courses during the weekend and lock on one which suites me. 
2. I want to go for round 1 of Autumn 2017 batch.

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Error log is one of the most important part of your preparation as it makes sure that you do not repeat the same mistake again (provided you keep on revisiting the error log

) Write down all the incorrect questions in your log and then read the explanations of the problems in your book/course and on the forums. You will surely find something new Make sure to write down this finding in your log. Regarding the courses, you can also opt for a combination of online course and tutoring.

prabhakar09 · Answer

Hello, thanks for support guys.

I took one free test on the website of "IE B-school". the test was provided by "the Economist'. Is this course accurate? 
My purpose was only to see if i am moving in right direction.

And got the result as 640-680. 
Verbal = 29-31. 
Quant = 50-53

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi Prabhuiitr09,

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 accuracy of your score can also vary significantly based on how YOU choose to take the CAT.

1) Did you take the FULL CAT (including the Essay and IR sections)?
2) Did you take them at home?
3) Did you take them at the same time of day as your Official GMAT?
4) Did you ever do ANYTHING during your CATs that you couldn't do on Test Day (pause the CAT, skip sections, take longer breaks, etc.)?

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

OptimusPrepJanielle · Answer

Hi prabhakar09,

Just looking at the Quants scores, I would not want to trust this test.
The best way to know your current standing is by taking a GMAT prep Mock CAT. You can download 2 free and buy 4 additional from mba.com

It would be good if you sit for the GMAT prep mock CAT at the earliest.

	Manhattan Prep: $99 Bonus Score Higher on Your GMAT Exam. Guaranteed.
	Target Test Prep - Save up to $599 $400 Discount + $99 Bonus GMAT Club Tests
	e-GMAT: 60% Off on GMAT Focus Get to 735+ from any starting point
	Magoosh increases your score, guaranteed - 15% off ALL Magoosh GMAT plans with code GMATCLUB15 + Free GMAT Club Tests.
	Experts' Global - ~~$1720~~ $960 End-to-End GMAT Prep + App Support: 150+ Videos, 2000+ Questions, 15 FLTs +
	GMATWhiz - $299 ~~$499~~ Experience the course through a free trial.
	GMAT Club Tests - Free Included with every course purchase of $149+ View all deals

Manhattan Prep test 1 590? what to do.

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