Is anyone else getting same questions on GMATPrep Free Exams 1 and 2?

Question

Downloaded the GMATPrep free program a couple weeks ago. I finished both exams, but I noticed that there was very significant overlap between Exam 1 and 2. Is anyone else getting these overlaps? I am seeing it across pretty much all the sections (IR/Q/V) and it's incredibly frustrating when I am trying to test for a realistic score.

Pretty much half the questions were the same...The only section where nothing was the same was RC.
I just don't understand why you would advertise 2 practice exams and have overlapping questions to the point there it is really just 1.5 exams. 
Is the other paid Exam Prep 1/2 the same too where you really only get 1 full exam?

AjiteshArun · Answer

Did you hit reset before taking the second test? "Reset" tells the software to "forget" which questions have already been shown to you.

Most people do not get repeats, so you should get the exams packs if you need them. You will see repetition in IR, but the quant and verbal sections should be good. Keep in mind that the question pools are the same for 1 & 2, 3 & 4, and 5 & 6.

LODD2 · Answer

Oh, I understand my mistake now. I downloaded GMATPrep on two separate computers. I took Test 1 on one computer and Test 2 on the other computer. That probably explains the significant overlap. But, it still doesn't make sense to me why both exams pull from the same question bank.

sdlife · Answer

Hi  AjiteshArun ,

I have a few questions on GMAT Prep Tests.

1) I read on the forums that GMAT Prep 1 and 2 can be taken 3 times before they start showing repeated questions, while Exam Pack 1 and 2 can be taken twice because of the smaller question pool. Is that how it works?

2) I am planning to take 6 official mocks (multiple times) and as many GMAT Club Tests for Quant. My GMAT is in 6 weeks so I am saving the last 30 days for mocks. Currently just focusing on improving Verbal and Quant by working on weak areas. I've already taken GMAT Prep 1 and 2 once a few months back. What would be your recommendation on how to efficiently use the 6 mocks? Should I also include MGMAT mocks if I don't see my target score?

Please advise! Thanks in advance!

YT

AjiteshArun · Answer

You can take the GMATPrep practice tests multiple times as long as you know what retaking will or could mean. It could be as simple as treating the first attempt as the most important one, and  using only the first attempt(s)  to get a score estimate. Retakes are useful more for practicing your timing strategy and/or gaining confidence with the format of the exam than as accurate indicators of your current ability level. For example, even tests 1 & 2 generate score estimates that are inherently less reliable (despite the larger question pool) when they're taken multiple times, simply because at some point the test will no longer be able to give you the questions it wants to give you. This is one of the reasons people are not allowed to take the actual GMAT exam more than 5 times a year.

6 tests in 6 weeks sounds very doable (not sure whether you intend to use all 6 in the last 30 days though). You could certainly add more tests if you feel you can fit them in. But if you're not seeing your target score, it might be better to push your GMAT date back a bit than to just add more tests.

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi yt770,

You mentioned some details about your study plans that should probably be "adjusted." When you take a CAT, if your goal is to receive a realistic score assessment, then you really have to be strict about HOW you take the CAT. The more the 'CAT-taking event' deviates from what you'll face on Test Day, the more likely the score is to be inaccurate (and in most cases, that means "inflated"). As such, you should make sure to take a NEW CAT each time, which the Essay/IR sections, away from your home, at the same time of day as your Official GMAT, etc. Retaking a CAT that you've already taken will almost certain lead to repeat questions. Seeing even a few of those repeat questions will throw of the 'realism' of the experience and your pacing, stress and energy levels will all be 'better' than they normally would be.

Beyond those details, it's important to remember that taking lots of CATs will NOT make you a better Test Taker. A CAT is really a 'measuring device' - when used correctly, it will give you a realistic score and help define your strengths and weaknesses, but it will NOT help you to fix any of those weaknesses. To raise your scores, you have to put in the necessary practice and repetitions. The CAT will show you whether your studies are helping you to improve or not. As such, you really shouldn't take more than 1 FULL CAT per week.

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

sdlife · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC   AjiteshArun

Hi Rich, Ajitesh: Thanks for your response. I recently gave GMAT Prep 3 and scored 680(q49, v33). I have exactly a month left to improve 80 points for a target score of 760.

Question: I couldn't focus on Verbal at all. I was too tired by the time I got onto verbal section that I couldn't focus much. Not sure how I even scored V 33. Same thing happened the last time I took the mock, which was about 5 weeks ago. Any advice on how to improve? Should I give mocks more frequently? This mock was given at 2pm. My test is scheduled for 12 pm. I had a good 7 hour sleep and lunch before the test. I had gatorade and banana during the 8 mins break after each section. Please advise!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi yt770,

Raising a 680 to a 760 in one month will be difficult, so you might want to rethink your timeline or your score goal. A 2pm start time is rather late in the day to begin a Test. Most Test Takers do their best thinking in the first 4-5 hours of the day, so depending on when you woke up you might have been 'outside' of the ideal window to take that CAT. In that same way, depending on what you ate for lunch (and how much you ate for lunch), you brain might have become sluggish as your body was working to digest the food.

Unfortunately, taking lots of CATs is NOT the solution to this problem. You have to look at the mental, physical and psychological things that you can do to raise your energy levels and put yourself in the best position to succeed. Since there are a variety of possible solutions (but we don't know which one(s) will be best for you), the time that it will take to figure all of this out will almost certainly lengthen your study timeline.

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

HiLine · Answer

It's possible the Math section tired you out excessively. Did you find yourself second-guessing a lot during the Math section? Sometimes, focusing on the toughest questions without coming up with reasonable solutions can also cause great mental strain, not to mention stress and nervousness.

Are you in good physical shape in general?

sdlife · Answer

HiLine   EMPOWERgmatRichC

Quant was a little tough for me, but I was pretty confident. Except that I got 4 wrong out of last 7 questions, since I was running out of time. After the test I solved all 4 and was able to get the answer in less than 2 minutes.

Here is what I did: Woke up at 9, skipped breakfast, revised previous mocks for a couple hours, and had a big lunch 30 minutes before the test. Maybe that's why I was feeling really sluggish by the time I got onto the verbal section.

I am not in good physical shape. I haven't been working out since I started preparing for GMAT and have gained a few pounds. Stress could be a BIG factor too since I've been preparing for a long time now.

sdlife · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC

I agree that 680-760 will be difficult in a month. But i have a lot of flexibility at work. I can easily spend 5-6 hours on weekdays and am planning to take the last week off.

HiLine · Answer

Exercising a little bit everyday will help keep your mind clear and your brain efficient. Also, don't eat anything big the 2 hours leading to the test; the digestion process will take some blood flow away from your brain. Try eating some snacks and drinking a good amount of water between sections to see if that helps maintain your energy level.

nivie · Answer

I took the GMAT Prep practice test 1 on 14th May, 2017 and then reset the test and took it again yesterday (6th June,2017) and around 20 quant and 15 verbal questions were repeated... So basically, this test didn't count! I'd read in the blogs and forums that I should expect a few to be repeats but then not 20!! Also, I know that the prep software has a pool of questions and I wish to access them.. can someone please tell me how I will be able to do that.. also, honestly, how many repeated questions should I expect? Do I buy the other prep packs too ?? i.e. with tests 3&4 and tests 5&6???

kindly help.. thanks in advance .. have a great day!

kindly help.. thanks in advance .. have a great day!

livi3210 · Answer

so I decided to retake the GMAT exam. Although the first time when I solved both practice test 1 & 2 no questions were ever repeated when I redid practice test 2 I had quite a couple of questions that I had seen the 1st and/or the 2nd time that I did the practice tests.  Basically, when you take them 3 times (1 & 2 or 2&1) : many questions repeat themselves

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