Variation in scores in benchmark test

Question

Hi ,
I am about start my gmat prep .
Have taken 3 benchmark exams as of now .
here are the scores
MGMAT 610 (Q44,V31) (didnt write IR/AWA)
Veritas Prep 650 (Q43, V36) (didnt write IR/AWA)
Kaplan 560 (dont know sectionals ) (wrote IR and AWA)
I found kaplan test literally brutal among all three tests .
Kaplan verbal was hopeless ... CR's were long and one RC was totally out of the world . Also i found kaplan Quant tougher than MGMAT quant.
Is real GMAT gonna be like kaplan ? :shock:

Also why there is so much variation in my 3 test scores ? what is my level as of now ?
I have 2 Gmat prep free tests but not sure if i should exhaust one of them now .

TIA

Also why there is so much variation in my 3 test scores ? what is my level as of now ? I have 2 Gmat prep free tests but not sure if i should exhaust one of them now . TIA

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi adityadon,

When Test Takers skip the Essay and/or IR sections during practice, the score results are almost always "inflated" (since you took a shorter Test, you didn't face the fatigue and endurance "challenges" that come with the FULL GMAT). As such, we have to ignore those two CAT results - they're based on unrealistic experiences, so the results cannot be viewed as realistic.

I'm curious about WHY you took 3 different practice CATs before you started studying. What were you hoping to gain?

I'd also like to know a bit more about your timeline:

1) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
2) When are you planning to apply to Business School?
3) What is your goal score?

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

adityadon · Answer

Hi Rich , Thanks for the reply. I took 3 mocks just to know where i actually stand. (but now i understand 1 good mock is enough to know,probably i was overexcited after seeing veritas prep score

) I am planning to take gmat in May end / first week of June I will be applying for B-schools in R1 i.e. around august/sept 2015 My target score is 760+ as i am looking for scholarship. Thanks, Aditya

OptimusPrep · Answer

please be aware that on test day you will be under enormous pressure. while some students perform even better under pressure the majority tend to perform weaker.

that is in my opinion the main reason why the cat code results are a bit stronger than the real test score.

feel free to visit optimus prep and take a free practice test from us as well if you are interested

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi adityadon,

With your tentative Test Date, you've given yourself about 3 months to study, which is good. Using the 560 as a 'baseline' score, you could certainly score in the 700+ range, if you put together a consistent Study Plan and you use the proper materials.

A 760+ score represents a performance (the 99th percentile) that most Test Takers will never achieve in their lives, so it will be a challenge regardless of how much time you study. With that score goal, I generally recommend a GMAT Course of some type (either Guided Self-Study or Instructor Led) - the consistent, professional guidance can help teach you things about the GMAT that you might not otherwise learn by taking a 'book heavy' study approach.

What materials are you planning to study with?

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

Variation in scores in benchmark test

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